House Arrest

Timothy writes that he may never speak to his mother again. She has agreed to tour the facility for Levi, which Timothy says smells institutional and hopeless. Annie tells Timothy that taking the tour “is not a commitment” (136). He bites his thumbnail until it bleeds.

He writes about Levi’s fuzzy head, bright eyes, and wide smile. He describes how the brothers communicate with each other using sign language, how much Levi enjoys watching Baby Signing Adventure, and how happy Timothy feels holding his brother in his lap and teaching him new signs. Timothy says he will risk returning to juvenile detention to keep Levi out of the facility.

Annie, Mary, and Timothy discuss the possibility of institutionalizing Levi. The state funds a program that would pay for it. Timothy wants to hit Mary but instead punches a wall, bloodying his knuckles. He cannot stop crying, even when he goes to José’s house and Isa answers the door. Mrs. Jimenez holds him, and they cry together. She gives him a set of José’s pajamas, and he sleeps at their house.