David Chapter Summary

The book begins with a glimpse into David’s last encounter with his mother before he is taken into protective custody. While jumping out of his mother’s car as she dropped him off at school, his mother instructed David to lie about the origins of the bruises and scars that were scattered about his body due to his mother’s vicious beatings and punishments. The harsh disciplinary measures which his mother imposed on him led David to become the outcast of his school. His hygiene was less than minimal, and his clothes were ragged and filthy. These characteristics of David stood out to his school’s nurse, who had begun keeping track of David’s bruises and scars. On that particular morning, the school nurse called David down to her office. Once David arrived, she examined him and the marks on his body, making note of every injury. The nurse then called the school’s office, which then led to school personnel to call the authorities. David was later taken into police custody and told that his mother would never hurt him again. In the past, before David’s harsh abuse, he had quite a normal life. David describes the love he felt for his mother and

At the same time, Catherine began drinking more and more. Her attitude toward David shifted as her emotions became more and more skewed by alcohol. Due to his bad behavior, Catherine began dishing out cruel punishments toward David. She smashed his face into a mirror, punched him in the face several times, and burned him on the stove. David’s only source of relief and comfort came from his father, who did not agree with David’s abuse. His father was the only member of the family that treated him with kindness. For example, the only gift David received for Christmas was from his father. As the abuse becomes worse and worse, David learns that he must cope with his punishments by telling himself that he is a survivor, and that he can outsmart his