A Thousand Never Evers

After spending the night outside the jailhouse, Addie Ann awakens to the sound of the sheriff’s police car. The sheriff enters the jailhouse and brings Bump out as the crowd follows the police vehicle to the courthouse.

At the courthouse, Judge Cogswell is introduced as the judge for the trial. The prosecution, arguing against Bump, is led by Mr. Hickock. Addie Ann is shocked when a white woman steps forward as Bump’s lawyer. Her name is Sylvia Gold, and she is with the NAACP.

The judge announces that he has determined that there is enough evidence to go to trial against Bump. He sets the trial date for five days from then.

Addie Ann returns to Elmira’s house to see her mom, hoping that Elias is still there. However, she learns that he has gone to Jackson to help Miss Gold prepare for trial.

In the few days leading up to the trial, Mama and Addie Ann do not work, and Addie Ann does not go to school. Instead, they stay at Delilah’s house, spending most of the time lying on the couch and thinking or talking about the trial.

Often, Addie Ann dreams of the man in the forest digging a hole, whom she saw with Flapjack when they ran home to tell Uncle Bump that he was in trouble.