Small Steps (novel)

Plot

Two years after his release from Camp Green Lake, Theodore "Armpit" Johnson is living in Austin, Texas trying to build a stable lifestyle by digging trenches and caring for his neighbor Ginny McDonald, a ten-year-old girl who has Cerebral Palsy, and is persuaded by his former companion Rex "X-Ray" Washburn to make a deal selling tickets to a musical performance at higher price than the original. Of the twelve tickets, they sell ten; after which Armpit decides to attend the concert with his classmate Tatiana, using the remaining two to admit themselves. When Tatiana is unable to come Armpit decides to take Ginny instead. When the remaining tickets are proven counterfeit, Armpit is beaten and handcuffed by the police while Ginny begins a seizure. Here, the mayor intervenes; Armpit Ginny; and singer Kaira DeLeon, upon discovering the situation, invites Armpit and Ginny to watch her from backstage. After the concert, they join her to share ice cream.

The next day, X-Ray gives Armpit the money gained by selling the missing genuine tickets. Armpit, angered, is about to attack him when Kaira invites him to breakfast at her hotel. Taken there by X-Ray, Armpit meets with Kaira and goes running beside her for recreation, while avoiding her bodyguard. After a few days, Armpit receives a love letter from Kaira.

Some time afterward, Detective Debbie Newberg of the Austin Police Department questions Armpit about the counterfeit tickets; whereupon Armpit invents a culprit to avert suspicion from himself and X-Ray.

Later still, Armpit is invited to San Francisco by Kaira; but is accosted by counterfeit-ticket sellers Felix and Moses, who beat X-Ray and threaten to expose both boys to the police unless Armpit gives them the letter that Kaira sent earlier. Having agreed to do so, Armpit meets Kaira in San Francisco but Kaira believes Armpit is after her money and does not care about her as a person when he asks her for another letter to sell. This results in an argument wherein Kaira throws coffee all over Armpit then storms out on him. Meanwhile, her business manager Jerome "El Genius" Paisley plots to kill Kaira and frame Armpit for the murder; but is prevented by Armpit. However, Kaira was seriously hurt, and Armpit suffered a broken arm in the fight. Kaira later recovers, though is told she cannot sing again.

But, Kaira still sang and was broadcast through the radio. Armpit listened, and they both learned their way taking small steps.