Dicey is now filled with responsibility. She gets into an incident with a police officer to make her think "trust no one" (p. 27). She acts like a mother to her brothers and sister, finding places to sleep, saving money, buying food, looking for food, and earning money. They need her. She has faith that they will make it to Bridgeport, "I feel as if we could do just about anything. Because we're Tillermans" (p. 41), even when they had about seven dollars for food and supplies and the courage that they can go by foot the whole way. Dicey gives good advice and shows strong leadership -- "I say we walk down there and put our stuff at this site" (p.181).

When Dicey & Co. finally make it to Bridgeport, her great-aunt tries to split them up and send them to different foster homes. Dicey doesn't want that to happen, "we Tillermans stay together" (p.149). The Tillermans decide to run away to her grandmother (she has heard of her grandmother being spoken of before and knows her address). This is the last hope for the Tillermans to find a permanent home. What will happen ?