A List of Cages

In this one-page chapter, Adam sees his mother coming out of Dr. Pearce's office extremely upset. She says she came to see the principal to discuss her concerns about Julian. Julian’s uncle never returns her calls, and he has recently changed his telephone number.  

Julian narrates this chapter; he goes bowling with Adam and Charlie. Julian takes off his sneakers at a bench to bowl, and Charlie sees his hairless legs between his socks and short jeans. Charlie asks Julian loudly if he shaves his legs, and Julian answers yes. When Charlie asks why he shaves his legs, Julian explains that his uncle told him that body hair carried germs and if he didn't shave, he would get sick. Julian is surprised when he finds out Adam and Charlie don't shave their legs.

Adam explains to Julian that the only people who shave their legs are swimmers, who shave to keep their body hair from slowing them down in the water, and girls. When Julian asks why girls shave their legs, Charlie responds that nobody wants to go out with a girl with hairy legs and arm pits. Charlie embarrasses Julian by asking if he shaves his arm pits too, but Adam comes to the rescue and insists that Charlie change the topic back to bowling.