Gwendy's Button Box

As Gwendy leaves the coin and stamp show, she spots Frankie and his friend Jimmy Sines looking into cars, trying to find one to rob. Gwendy tries to leave before they see her, but Frankie stops her. As he flirts with her, preventing her from leaving, Lenny appears and asks Gwendy if the boys are bothering her. Frankie tells him to leave, but he refuses. Gwendy bikes away. Frankie tells Lenny that it’s two against one, and he likes those odds. Lenny brings out a knife and tells him it’s now two against two, which prompts Frankie and Jimmy to flee.

The chapter includes an image of a silhouetted figure holding a knife. The silhouette has wrinkled hands.

When playing a game, Gwendy’s friend Sallie comments on the fact that Gwendy always wins whatever game they are playing, noting that Gwendy also gets good grades and is beautiful. Gwendy tries to play it off but realizes that Sally is jealous of her success. Gwendy realizes that the button box and the chocolates it dispenses have given her power. She wishes she had someone to talk to about the button box.