Summary

Chapter Twenty-one begins with Timothy adding still another quote to the corkboard at the bookstore. Vanita comes into the shop sporting a new spray tan. She says they’ll be wrapping up the vote for leading citizen in a week and Timothy is in the lead. He tells her he’s not the leading citizen and doesn’t wish to be. Vanita asks why not and says the winner will get a free spray tan. He asks if he could hand the title to someone else. Vanita is hurt that Timothy doesn’t like the contest and she leaves. He runs after her to apologize and says he’d be honored. She turns and hugs him. He once again feels pressured by public life.

Timothy reads the paper and finds it ridiculous. He vows to subscribe to the Charlotte Observer on Monday.

Timothy...