When Mac comes downstairs the next morning, he makes several posters for their protest, and his mom comes in the room wearing a T-shirt that says “Don’t be scared. I’m just a feminist” (117). She tells him that she wants to come to the protest, too. Mac is surprised but pleased that she’s joining them; in the past, she’d stayed home on Saturdays to prepare for Mike coming over for dinner. 

Marci meets them at the protest, and they admire each other’s signs. A lot of people stop by and talk to them, including Aaron and his father. Aaron’s father says he plans to attend the next school board meeting. They go into the bookstore, and when they come out, Aaron shows Mac that he got an uncensored copy of The Devil’s Arithmetic. 

Mac, his mom, Grandad, and Marci get lunch after the protest. Mac is feeling optimistic and is having fun with Marci, when all of a sudden, his grandad’s car speeds by the diner, with Mike at the wheel. Grandad runs out after it.