The Year of Billy Miller Part 2, Chapter 5 Summary

  • When Mama arrives home, Billy has some news for her: She's Mom now. And sure, Mama is a little sad, but she's okay with it, too. Besides, Sal comes in and calls everyone by the names we've come to know and love, so we know that the names Mama and Papa are going to stick around in the family at least a little while longer.
  • Papa has a surprise for Billy. And it's a good one. He takes Billy out to the garage where he's been working hard on dioramas all day. Well, he's decided to call them "assemblages" (2.5.17), but they're basically the same thing.
  • Billy thinks the assemblages are seriously snazzy—there's even one of Billy's face made from random odds and ends. Billy feels super cool for inspiring his dad's artwork and like a star for getting his own portrait done.
  • Plus there's more good news: Papa feels around on Billy's head and discovers that he's lump-free, the way to be. Wahoo.
  • Billy is so stoked that he actually forgets his new name plan and calls his old man Papa instead of Dad.