In the prose piece “Phone Call,” Reena’s parents receive a phone call from someone called Mr. Colley. The children are worried that they might be in trouble for something when Mr. Colley asks Reena’s parents to come to Mrs. Falala’s house and leave Reena and Luke at home.

“Speculation” is a mixed prose and poetry chapter. While their parents are gone, Luke and Reena discuss what might be happening at Mrs. Falala’s house and wonder who Mr. Colley is. They speculate that he might be a police officer, a doctor, a friend or family member of Mrs. Falala’s, or even something like a plumber or repairman. They worry that Mrs. Falala’s house may have burned down or something may have happened to Zora or to Mrs. Falala. They worry that they have shown some kind of disrespect they are unaware of and that Mrs. Falala will never want to see them again.

In the poem “Waiting,” Reena describes how slowly the time seems to pass while they are waiting for their parents.