Summary

In Chapter 22, which returns to Benny’s story, Benny is uncomfortable as a police car follows her home from school. She feels like the police and the powerful people in the town are working together to keep her from changing the status quo. When Benny stops at the end of her driveway, hoping to hide the fact Nathan’s car is parked there, she recognizes the officer as Redd Fontaine. He is the mayor’s brother as well as Will and Manford’s cousin.

Benny joins Nathan on the porch and he notes that she looks worried. She tells him that she has told the principal, Mr. Pevoto, about her project and tried to get permission, but does not feel he is really listening. Nathan puts his arm around Benny when she tells him how disappointed she was when only 11 parents showed up...