The Summer of the Swans

Sara and Mary encounter classmate Joe Melby playing baseball. Joe asks Sara if they found Charlie yet, and she replies, “you will be pleased and delighted to learn we have not,” alerting Joe of her disdain for his perceived slight against Charlie (77-78). Joe makes repeated offers to help look for him, but Sara declares that a person who would steal a child’s watch isn’t someone she wants around. Joe is surprised, asking Sara if she truly believes him a thief. Sara says that Charlie pointed at Joe when she asked who took his watch; Joe claims that he was actually the person to return it, suggesting that Charlie was confused. Furious, Sara assumes Joe is using her brother’s disability to excuse himself—but still storms off embarrassed. Sara recalls a time when Joe passed her in a car. A fellow passenger shouted “Hey Beautiful” out the window; Sara hoped they were speaking to her until she saw the car pass a local beauty queen. Joe follows Sara, reiterating that he and his fellow baseball players wish to help. Sara is doubtful, but the gravity of Charlie’s absence matters more than her pride, and she concedes. Sara directs the boys to the woods behind the lake.