Skeleton Man

The next morning, Molly stuffs all the breakfast food in her pack as usual and goes to school, where she feels safe. She decides that she cannot tell Ms. Shabbas about the hidden cameras and monitor because her teacher will take her away from the house. As much as she would like to leave the house for good, Molly knows that she must remain there in order to save her parents. However, at this point, she still does not know how or where they are “buried,” as the dream-rabbit has told her.

In class, Ms. Shabbas sings “Tomorrow” from Annie, directing the words at Molly. Molly reflects that Ms. Shabbas wants her to persevere like Molly Brown in the musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown. However, Molly is not named for Molly Brown; she is named after Molly Brant, a Mohawk woman warrior. Although the singing usually annoys Molly, today it cheers her up. Nonetheless, when she and Ms. Shabbas have their one-on-one conversation, Molly does not tell her everything. Privately, she is dreading the weekend because she believes that all of her problems will reach their climax then. Ms. Shabbas promises to come to the house and take Molly on a picnic on Sunday.