Summary

While Moody was the first of the Richardson children to befriend their new tenants during the summer of 1996, in "early October," it was Lexie who had been "awakened" to the fascinating presence of her brother's new friend. Lexie took an "interest in...Little Orphan Pearl" after Jerry Springer had inspired her to question who Pearl's father was (46). She "decided" to take Pearl shopping to continue the "teenage generosity" inspiring her to perform such "good deed[s]" (47). Although there were two malls to choose from, Lexie thought only of one: Beachwood Place, otherwise nicknamed, unbeknownst to Lexie, as "Bleach-White Place," but Pearl was unable to find anything to buy for herself there, so she suggested they go to a thrift store where she could "get something no one else will have" (48). Lexie was "so pleased" with the economical outcome of shopping with Pearl that...