The Pinballs

On their second night in the house, the three children write letters home. Carlie writes a letter begging her mother to ask the social worker to take her back and promising that she’ll stay away from her stepfather. Thomas J tries to write a letter to the twins but doesn’t know what to say. 

Harvey doesn’t want to write a letter, so he starts making a list of bad things that have happened to him, which Carlie steals and reads aloud. In return she tells them two bad things that happened to her: First, she couldn’t be a majorette because of her failing grades, and second, she was going to try out for Miss Teenaged Lancaster, but her stepfather attacked her the week before tryouts. She mentions the attack casually, but the boys are startled.

While Carlie uses the swing set outside, Harvey sits in his wheelchair on the porch and composes more Lists in a spiral notebook Mrs. Mason got him. He’s come to enjoy making lists, especially ones that are pleasant and don’t lead him toward bad memories.