Chapters 1-3 Summary

Chapter 1

Johnny, at 12 years old, spends time with his babysitter Tessa after school, because both of his parents work. Tessa is a lover of vinyl records, particularly The Cure and Joy Division. They dance around the living room. Johnny sees her as a friend rather than babysitter. He prefers his time with her to the after-school program at the YMCA.

Johnny's father gets in a car accident when he falls asleep at the wheel, killing himself and a bus full of seniors. At first his uncle moves in to help with the day-to-day activities, but his presence brings back painful memories for Johnny's mother and she asks him to leave. At this point, Johnny's mother unplugs from society and leaves her son to figure out how to run the household. She stops working, cleaning, cooking. Johnny adapts and picks up the...