Pearl DeWitt Timeline and Summary

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• Before the story begins, Pearl's dad leaves unexpectedly and she and her mom move in with her uncle Hoyt since they can't afford to move anywhere else.
• Pearl notices a guy miming and juggling on the side of the road where the day laborers wait for work. She's interested in him, for sure, but can't say why.
• She asks her uncle if he can give the juggling mime a job, even though she doesn't know his name. He's reluctant at first, but eventually he agrees.
• Amiel starts working for Hoyt on an as-needed basis. Pearl tries to take him coffee and talk to him, but his voice is injured so he doesn't talk much.
• While exploring by the river, Pearl comes across a shack in the middle of the woods. She discovers that it is Amiel's home, and writes him a note explaining that she will keep his secret safe.
• Pearl starts writing letters to Amiel, but her Spanish isn't that great. Luckily she discovers that he knows English, too, and they start communicating.
• On her way home from school one day, Pearl sees Amiel jugging different objects. When one of the workers suggests using machetes, Amiel cuts his hand juggling them.
• Agnès and Pearl take Amiel to the doc to get his hand stitched up, and Agnès pays for it despite Amiel's insistence that he can afford it. Later, he gives Pearl the money to give to her aunt to repay her.
• Pearl starts visiting Amiel in the woods more often. At first he tries to get her to leave, but eventually he lets her stick around.
• The two of them go swimming, fishing, and spend lots of time swapping stories with one another.
• Fire season is starting in Fallbrook, and there's a pretty serious fire heading their way. Even though an evacuation has been ordered, Pearl wants to go back to the woods to check on Amiel, so she ditches her family and heads there to make sure he's okay.
• When she sees Amiel, he's fine. Phew. The only problem? He doesn't want to go anywhere since he's afraid immigration will find him out.
• Pearl decides to stay with Amiel in the woods even though the fire is getting worse.
• The two of them plunge into the water to avoid the flames, and are rescued by firefighters the next morning.
• Amiel makes a break for it and Pearl is devastated, especially when she learns Hoyt's died trying to save her.
• She goes into the woods and finds a note from Amiel saying he's going back to Mexico and to remember him.
• Pearl decides to take Spanish classes and wants to head down to Mexico in search for Amiel in the fall.