Boy21

Mr. Allen takes the boys to the emergency room, and Finley pukes. Wes lies and tells the nurse that Finley is Erin’s brother. Finley goes to see Erin, who is covered in braces and bruises and “looks ruined” (175). Erin is hysterical, saying that she’ll never play basketball again. She explains that she was purposely hit by a car. Finley is silent. Erin asks Finley to be her boyfriend again, and Finley nods, and then tells her about Russ’s CD to distract her.

Erin loses it, yelling at her mother and Finley to stop touching her, and then is taken away for a brain scan. Finley watches TV in the waiting room. Russ, Wes, and Mr. Allen go home, and Finley starts “to remember things I don’t want to remember” (179). Erin emerges with a morphine drip.

Erin’s and Finley’s coaches show up, and the Quinns explain the situation. Coach takes Finley home, explaining to Finley’s grandfather about the hit-and-run. Finley puts his grandfather to bed, and his grandfather suggests that Erin’s injuries were not an accident.

Confused, Finley asks Coach if the hit-and-run was done on purpose. Coach tells Finley not to ask such questions, then explains that Finley doesn’t have to keep Russ’s secret any more, that college recruiters are already calling about Russ.