Study Guide

The Orange Houses Chapter 21

By Paul Griffin

Chapter 21

At church, ten days before the hanging, Fatima wakes up extra early so she can sell her papers before church.
She meets up with Mik, her mom, and NaNa, and Mik wonders why Fatima would choose to go to church.
Fatima explains that it's fun.
On Monday, they head out to the Statue of Liberty. The weather is cold and damp, but they are determined to go since it's a holiday so Mik has off from school.
NaNa packs them lunches to take, and tells them to be careful.
On the way there, a homeless man begs them for food, so they hand over NaNa's sandwiches.
Fatima asks if Mik thinks Jimmi is okay, but when Mik says yes, she knows her friend is lying.
They sip beer and flirt with cute boys on the ferry over to Liberty Island.
After a while, someone makes an announcement on the PA system: The weather is awful so they'll have to turn around.
They won't make it to the Statue of Liberty after all, and both girls are bummed since neither has seen it.
From far away, they can see Lady Liberty covered in fog. Or her feet, anyway.
Fatima says they should laugh about it.