Chapters 3 & 4: The Birthday Boy, Aunt Queenie Summary

Delrita feels badly about the way she treated Avanelle, particularly because they share three classes together and it's clear that neither one of them has any friends. Still, Delrita can't risk the embarrassment she feels when other kids are scared of Punky. She pushes all these thoughts aside because today is Punky's birthday. Mom has fried two whole chickens because Uncle Bert and Aunt Queenie are coming over for dinner tonight, too. Delrita tries not to whine, but she can't stand Aunt Queenie. All she does is criticize Mom for the way she's chosen to raise Punky (her brother). Delrita agrees that her parents spoil Punky, but that's because the doctors told them that people with Down's syndrome rarely live past forty. If that's true, Punky only has a few years left and...