Ari is happy that summer is here and but frustrated by his work responsibilities at the Charcoaler. His mother tells him that he is in an ecotone: “a natural borderlands” between childhood and adulthood (238).

Dante is back from Chicago. Ari notices that Dante’s mom looks younger than she did last year, “like she was holding the sun inside her” (243). Ari feels overwhelmed by the Quintanas’ love for him.

Dante’s parents go for a drive in Ari’s truck. Dante is pleased that Ari is more talkative than before. Ari and Dante make two rules for each other: 1) Dante won’t try to kiss him; and 2) Ari won’t go “running away from Dante” (248).