Fritzi’s career as a pilot and performer progresses over the next several years. She headlines shows and continues to love flying. One of their stunts includes Billy jumping off one of the wings and Fritzi taking over the controls. Her cut of the shows adds up to nearly $75, and she sends money home to her family.

Sookie wonders how to tell her children about their new family history. She buys a Polish cookbook, but she doesn’t think any of them will like it. She decides to start by telling Dee Dee, which will be hard since Lenore has taught Dee Dee all about the Simmons family history and insists that their family is more “well-bred” than others.

Sookie also starts to feel more like herself again, but then she runs into her mother. Lenore immediately comments that her skin doesn’t look good. Furious, Sookie calls Dena when she gets home, who calms her down. She decides to learn more about her family. She calls the Pulaski Chamber of Commerce, asking for information on the Jurdabralinskis. The woman comments that they were “The Gas Station Family” (116). She also offers to do some research about the whereabouts of family members and will call Sookie back.