Kim calls Brooklyn Union Gas and they send a repairman over to the apartment to fix the stove. The stove has been out for a few days, and the apartment has been getting steadily colder. He fixes the stove and turns down the one-dollar tip Ma offers him. Kim wishes she could have a father like him.

Kim starts taking freshmen and premed classes at Polytechnic University. She continues to tutor Curt for the upcoming SAT tests. At his studio one afternoon, he invites her to a party he's having to celebrate how well he's been doing in school because of her help. She tells him she'll think about it. Until now, Kim has never done anything with anyone outside of school hours, besides Annette. She decides she will try to go by telling Ma that she's staying the night at Annette's. Ma agrees and Kim is thrilled to "finally have a night of freedom" (222).

There's an inspection at the factory and Aunt Paula and Uncle Bob hide the minors in a cramped bathroom. When the inspection ends, the kids leave the bathroom, but Matt grabs Kim by the wrist and shuts the door.