The homeroom teachers must choose their academic teams for the competition by the Tuesday following winter break. Unlike the other teachers, Mrs. Olinski does not hold tryouts; she decides to “appoint her team, the way the president appointed his cabinet” (120). She also does not have a good answer to the question of how she chose her team members.

Mrs. Olinski chooses Noah first, then Nadia and Ethan. The fourth choice is difficult. Mrs. Olinski seriously considers Ham Knapp until she sees that Ham is the student who instigates the disruption during the Annie dress rehearsal. Ham is off the table, but Mrs. Olinski does not consider Julian until later that day while having tea at Sillington house.

Mrs. Olinski arrives at Sillington house and is met by Margaret, who gives her a big hug. Ethan gets out of the van next, and Margaret, his grandmother, goes to hug him. Izzy comes out of the house and joyfully greets his granddaughter, Nadia. Eva is so overcome with blind jealousy as she watches the joyful reunions of her friends with their grandchildren that she doesn’t notice Mr. Singh standing beside her offering to take her inside for tea.