Summary

Part 2: Nathan Bates

In Feathers, dated September 2, 1965, Nat Bates finds a baby bird in his yard on the first day of kindergarten. When Gamma says its mother will not care for it now, he decides to feed it, naming it Feathers though Gamma insists he cannot keep it.

In Different, on September 3, 1965, Nat has sixteen kids in his class, but the teacher obviously likes him, though she smiles sadly as she hugs him, causing Nat to ponder what is different when she tells him to take his painting to his grandmother while the other children are instructed to give their art to their mothers. At home, Feathers is gone, and Gamma insists he flew away. Though Nat has questions, he refrains from asking. As he gives Gamma his painting, he asks what about her is grand, so she explains that she is...