Where The Watermelons Grow

As Della trudges through the pouring rain, she wonders if Arden’s family has noticed she’s gone yet. Miss Lorena pulls up beside Della. Miss Tabitha called Daddy, panicked that Della had set out just before the rain came, and Daddy called Arden’s parents, who, along with Miss Lorena, are now driving around looking for Della. Della feels bad for making everyone worry.

Della gets into Miss Lorena’s car. Miss Lorena texts Arden’s mom that Della is safe. She takes Della by her place and runs inside to fetch something. Della opens the honey and dunks her fingers in. As she scoops bits of honey into her mouth, she hopes that it will be the key to fixing everything. She feels bad about how much she’s messed up, running away twice. The honey feels less magical now. Della feels like she broke everything, including Mama.

Thomas taps on the window. He heard she ran away, and he’s glad she’s back. He brings up having Della tutor him in math again. He also gives Della a book that helped him after his father died. Thomas’s visit makes Della feel a bit better.