Joranne and Neil

Augusten is just sitting in the living room when he hears some noise that reminds him of this dog that was a wolf hybrid. It turns out to be one of the doctor's patients that lives in the house. She is an old lady with OCD and no one is allowed in her room. Agnes brings her food, leaves it outside the door and then when she leaves, Joranne takes it. She has been living at the Finch house for over 2 years. This amazes Augusten that a doctor would let a patient live in their house for more than two years. He was really intrigued by the disease and he says he wants it too. Augusten finally gets to meet Joranne and he can't believe he is looking at a real live crazy person.

As he is thinking about how upset he is that his parents don't want him, his mother finally comes to pick him up, a day late. on the car ride he writes, "She had come back for me, just like she said she would. Only, where was she?"

As time goes on with Augusten in the Finch house, he makes many changes. He no longer is obsessed with what clothes he is wearing or how perfect his hair was. He loved the freedom that was given to him in the house. His one worry was how they would react when they found out he was gay. When he finally tells Hope, her response is, "Big deal." Augusten was so worried, but everyone already knew his secret. Hope reveals that their adopted 33 year old brother is also gay. A week goes by and Hope calls Augusten to tell him that Neil will be home for the afternoon. When they walk in Agnes is sitting on the couch eating Purina Dog Chow and she makes everyone try it.

Augusten and Neil take a walk near the Smith College campus, and Augusten wants to ask him a million questions. They have a really good conversation and both of them admit to being gay.

The part about Joranne really freaked me out. She was so crazy about the littlest amount of dirt. I felt so sorry for Augusten when he gets picked up by his mom. As it turned out, he didn't really mind it at the Finch's anymore and he adapted to their way of life. Eating dog food on a regular basis is just disgusting. I really don't like Agnes, I think she is so wierd. Augusten and Neil have a very large age difference but Neil is someone that Augusten actually has some sort of connection to.