- Maya's new home is a junkyard car. She falls asleep in the car, and the next morning she's surrounded by other homeless people. They take her in, and she lives with them for a month.
- During that time, she learns to drive (for real this time), curse, and dance.
- She also starts to appreciate the diverse world around here—she's surrounded by blacks, Mexicans, and whites, all getting along together. This is a big deal.
- Finally, she feels confident. Nothing a little time on the streets can't cure, right? (Wrong!)
- When she's ready to go home, Maya calls her mother, and Vivian welcomes her as if nothing strange has happened.