Chapters 13 and 14 Summary

Chapter 13

Vincent, now almost twelve, is playing with his neighbor Alex, cooking up ideas for a neighborhood communication system using wire. The boys are still young enough to play make-believe games. Kerry comes out with ammonia to pour on bugs. Vincent takes it away from her; their mother is on the phone. Vincent offers to get her soap and water for her project. Alex tells Vincent that his mother says Vincent is bossy because his mother pays no attention to him.

Beth, who almost never speaks to her children, is animated in a telephone call, and shares with Vincent that Candy is going to get married. She wants Vincent to stay home alone, and for Kerry to go with Laurie so she can take photos for Candy's wedding. Vincent would love to be Candy's kid. Beth knows little about Vincent, like...