Chapter 5 Summary

On the last weekend before winter, Willie, his parents, Johnny, and Jenny go boating. Big Will starts talking football. Coho High School is doing well and Willie has been mentioned in the newspaper, along with his dad. Still, Big Will scolds Willie about a sloppy pass he made at last night's game. "Never do less than your best," he says.

While the kids put on their wet suit tops, Big Will takes the boat for a warm-up spin around the lake. Willie watches him and thinks about how much he loves speed. His mom warns him to be careful, saying, "I've lost all I can afford to lose."

The family has left one of the ski vests on the porch at home, so Johnny and Willie have to use Big Will's extra large vest. When they have all skied and had lunch, Big...