Summary

Shirley has no plans for the summer even though her friends do. To keep herself occupied she keeps up with her piano lessons with Senora. During a lesson Shirley offers to take Senora’s bird for a walk and after much debate Senora lets her. Readers see a theme of Friendship being played out in this chapter by this action and when Shirley arrives back at the apartment she finds Senora is upset. Shirley reminds her of her own daughter back in her home country. Senora wants to go back to Mexico to visit her daughter, but is afraid of being robbed again. Shirley tells Senora she can trust Shirley to watch her place while she goes away to visit her daughter. Senora accepts the offer and starts getting things in order for the trip.

Analysis

While everyone leaves for summer vacations Shirley has...