Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

Dave, Beth, his girlfriend Kirsten, and Toph all move into a sublet in Berkeley after selling the family home in Illinois. Dave spends all his time with Toph since Dave graduated from college in the spring and does not yet have a job. Beth, on the other hand, is preparing for law school and Kirsten is actively looking for a job since she does not have life insurance to live off of like Dave and his siblings. Instead of finding a job, Dave feels it is important to show Toph as much fun as possible that summer to make up for the darkness of the previous winter.

Toph is on a team in the local Little League. Dave goes to Toph's games and practices, sitting with all the other parents. Dave can sense them watching him, wondering who he is to...