Dewey Kerrigan waits on the stoop of Mrs. Kovack’s house for her Papa, who is due to collect her. She had been staying at her Nana’s house, but her Nana got sick and went to a home, so she moved in with her Nana’s neighbor, Mrs. Kovack, whom Dewey does not like. Dewy wears one normal shoe and one laced boot.

Dewey is disappointed when an army escort arrives instead of Papa. She learns that she is taking a train to New Mexico and that her father will meet her there.

A kind porter, Eddie, helps Dewey onto the train and sets her up comfortably. She is both intrigued and nervous to be taking a night train by herself. She reads chapters of The Boy Mechanic; she longs to be putting together the radio described in the chapter. She sleeps through the night and wakes up at dawn. She explores adjacent carriages and brings her copy of The Boy Mechanic to the Observation Car along with her shopping bag of parts. She begins to set up the radio and is surprised when a young man, Dick, joins her. Dick is familiar with The Boy Mechanic and begins to help her.