Summary

In Part III, Chapter 20, “Joan, 2001,” now in her junior year of high school, Joan was prone to daydreaming. While in history class one day, her mind wandered. She could never pay attention unless they were studying war (152). Instead of listening to her teacher talk “about Roosevelt’s New Deal,” Joan thought about the supplies she needed “for the kind of art study [she] craved” (153).

Joan also thought about her “Saturday drives to Rhodes” with August for her college art classes (154). August’s lack of faith fascinated Joan. Joan believed her creative talents were a gift from God. She asked August about this one day and August had scoffed. However, August did support Joan’s artwork more than Miriam, who told Joan she was just like Jax. Unlike Joan, Mya “still talked to [Jax]” (156). Jax’s absence and Derek’s imprisonment made...