The author begins Chapter 14 by explaining that after his summer in Manhasset with the men from Dickens, he returned to Arizona to live with his mother. He soon learned that she had been dating a man named Winston with whom she seemed to be in love, which concerned and annoyed Moehringer. He felt his mother’s boyfriend was bored by him, and eventually Winston became resentful and even competitive with Moehringer. When his mother’s relationship with Winston ended, the author felt relieved at no longer having to see him, but he also suffered guilt at the thought that he was the reason his mother could not experience happiness and a loving relationship.

In Chapter 15, Moehringer shares the immense financial stress he and his mother were under by the time he was ready to begin high school. With mounting debts, his mother declared bankruptcy. To soothe himself from this stressful situation, he would walk to a mall bookstore where he browsed their diverse selection. He asked if he could work at the store, and, although he was only 13 years old, he was hired to work for 20 hours a week.

While the work was boring and lonely, Moehringer eventually got to know the reclusive and unusual men, Bill and Bud, who ran the store.