Summary

In Chapter 14, Grady notices that Frank is “exhilarated” by his role in the fight. Danny and Grady scuffle in the backseat, prompting Emmett to climb over the front seat to separate them. Frank finds a watermelon garden – a roadside spot that pops up during the heat of summer, serving long slices of watermelon. There are armed men standing guard nearby, which Frank says means they can be outside. Frank and Emmett reminisce about Bethie when they were young, including that she could eat a lot of watermelon. Frank gets paper cups with water for the boys and pours liquid from a flask for himself and Emmett. They tell the boys a lie about their drinks “neutralizing the watermelon juice.” Grady notes that he and Danny “accepted this as if it made sense” (148). Emmett also warns the boys not to swallow seeds, saying, “You...