Summary

Birdie finds Ali again he is surprised to see her bruised and swollen face. When he asks what happened, Birdie first avoids telling him the whole story by saying a “crazy lady” did it, then thinks again and admits it was her mother. Birdie then unburdens herself by telling Ali the true story of her and her mother’s disappearance. Ali listens, then admits that he also lied when he said his own father had disappeared. He agrees to tell her where to find him, and adds that he no longer speaks to “the punk.” Ronnie is gay, a fact that is a major source of shame for Ali. When Birdie visit Ronnie, he welcomes her warmly and recalls the old days when Sandy took so many risks for her social causes. He remembers her friends who were arrested and imprisoned. This makes Birdie feel ill...