Fish in a Tree: Chapter 36 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Mr. Daniels calls Ally into the hallway. He says that he never intended for the sub to single her out; she wasn't meant to read the note out loud. He says he'd never hurt Ally on purpose. Ally is relieved as Mr. Daniels asks for her forgiveness and holds out his hand. She shakes it.

That afternoon as Ally and Mr. Daniels play chess, Ally thinks that Keisha is like a bishop—able to move quickly. Albert is a king; valuable, but very slow. Ally is the knight, which moves in an L shape. Shay is a queen, given her ability to scare others. Ally thinks that dealing with Shay is like playing chess, as she's always looking for a person's weakness, but the board is always changing. Mr. Daniels pulls Ally back to reality and Ally sees her move. She moves her knight and checks Mr. Daniels's king. When he admits defeat, Ally asks if he let her win. He assures her that with three little brothers, he's not capable of that.