At baseball practice, the boys stretch and run laps around the field. Malik is missing from practice, and Silas wonders aloud where he is. Luis explains that Malik’s parents pulled him off the team. Silas is shocked by this news and is so upset that he throws up.

The next day, Silas calls Coach Webb again and tells him he cannot come to the game tomorrow. Webb tells Silas that this leaves them with only nine players on their team and that he hopes there is enough time to call up a replacement. He asks if Silas is okay. Silas does not reply.

The next day, Silas’s dad asks Silas why he is not ready for his baseball game. Silas has not told his parents that he is not going to baseball today. Gil is upset with Silas for not telling him sooner because he “would have scheduled [his] day differently” if he had known (169). Silas apologizes and Gil tells him that he is worried about him. He tells Silas that he should talk to his mother about whatever is wrong.