Demon reflects on missing his “golden times,” realizing only in hindsight that seventh and eighth grade at Jonesville marked a happy stretch. He builds a wide circle of friends and confidence but remains convinced good fortune will turn, carrying the fear of abandonment that keeps him on edge.

In late January, U-Haul summons Demon to Coach’s office under a fake pretext about a damaged playbook. The conversation turns hostile, as U-Haul accuses Demon of insinuating himself into the family and delivers a veiled threat about being taken down. Demon leaves feeling defiled and certain he does not truly belong in the Winfield household.

At school, Mr. Armstrong, a respectful counselor and teacher from Chicago, engages the class frankly and validates identities, even discussing capitalization for Black and Melungeon. He shares Demon's drawings with his wife, Ms. Annie, an art teacher and musician, who meets Demon, evaluates his process, and offers to mentor him as a Gifted student. She opens access to real art materials and training, expanding Demon's sense of possibility.

Later that winter, Betsy Woodall visits to transfer guardianship paperwork to Coach. She presses for academic accountability, eyes the football commitment, and even floats changing Demon's last name; in the end, she approves the arrangement and continues periodic oversight. The household tidies up for visits, friends begin to gather more, Angus hosts movie-and-gaming nights with Sax, while downstairs Demon wrestles with math and is distracted by Linda Larkins. Visiting girls dote on Mr. Dick, whose presence draws gentle attention.

Coach maps Demon's future at tight end, emphasizing execution over glory. Through summer camp, JV coach Mr. Briggs places Demon as Collins’s alternate and pulls him into varsity drills. Despite U-Haul’s resentful glare, Demon earns weight-room privileges and discovers a knack for the low chutes drill, leveraging his ability to get small and drive hard. By fall, he is dressing out on Fridays as a seventh grader, basking in pep rallies and eyeing a future under Coach.