Better Nate Than Ever

This summary section includes Chapter 9: “Explanation Time,” Chapter 10: “Buying Clothes with an Aunt I Barely Know.”

Nate is shocked to see his mother’s sister, Aunt Heidi. Heidi explains that Anthony came home early from his track meet, found Nate missing, and forced the truth out of Libby. He immediately called his aunt in New York, asking her to retrieve Nate and bring him home.

Heidi and Nate’s mother Sherrie have been estranged for years. Heidi once had Broadway dreams of her own and left Jankburg for good. Despite being hired for a few commercials in her early years, she never succeeded on the stage and now works as a waitress. Initially, she is resistant to the idea of letting Nate stay for his audition, but she sees the same love of theater in him that she once felt. Finally, Heidi agrees to help him: “‘We’re getting you a new outfit’ [...] ‘No nephew of mine is auditioning for E.T.: The Musical in that outfit’” (81).

Nate and Heidi sprint to a nearby Old Navy store, where the former tries on a sweater and jeans that fit him well. Heidi pays for the outfit, and the two climb into a cab to make it back to the studio before Nate’s audition group is called.