August, Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 Summary

Ava's attraction to Eddie continues, and the pair spends quite a bit of time together renovating the house in preparation for the Sewing Circus group. Ava also accompanies Joyce to the sheriff's office for the meeting regarding the incident at Joyce's home. To Joyce's and Ava's complete dismay, Gerry Anderson accuses Ava of having seduced the boys to the house under the pretense of a youth-oriented event. The sheriff does not believe Mrs. Anderson's story, but he is compelled to hear her complaint. The group parts without any resolution.

There is a small measure of success for Joyce during this trying time, in that Aretha has called from Interlochen to tell of her academic achievements and success in finding new friends. Aretha is the one shining star in the Sewing Circus, and Joyce sees her as a beacon of...