Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

Sheila remains in the hospital for the rest of April. Jerry is sent back to prison and Sheila's father does not visit her once because of his own phobia of hospitals. Torey visits Sheila every night after school and Chad comes to play checkers with her, staying even after Torey goes home. Anton and Whitney also visit several times. Torey is surprised to enter Sheila's room one Saturday and find Mr. Collins playing a game with her. Sheila's attractiveness makes her very popular with the nurses on the ward. Torey is almost glad for Sheila's hospitalization. She is receiving lots of attention and three meals a day. Toward the end of her stay, Sheila becomes restless and cranky. Torey begins to worry about Sheila's emotional state. Like most traumatic events in her life, Sheila has not talked about the molestation. Torey...