Summary

In Chapter 21, the rooster that is running around St. Nick's wakes Wallace early that Saturday. Sue-ellen works on Saturdays so Wallace is free to do what he likes. He sees an old man, high on drugs, on his way to meet Rose. He is waiting at the designated spot for Rose to arrive when two thugs, Harp and Gully, each grab one of Wallace's arms and “toted me around the corner” (146). Wallace kicks but cannot get away. They demand that Wallace hand over his phone, saying they want him to give it as a gift because they are “best friends” (148).

Rose interrupts. She flies at the group, hitting them with her lunch box and then with her fists. The boys are smaller than Rose. When Wallace is free, he jumps into the fight. Harp and Gully both run off. Wallace is “just able...