Orbiting Jupiter

On New Year’s Day, Joseph and Jack start to play as they shovel snow, and for the first time, Jack sees Joseph act playfully. At dinner that night, the phone rings. Mr. Brook is calling to tell the Hurds that he has won visitation rights to see Joseph at the Hurd farm. Joseph becomes quiet and visits Rosie in the barn.

After the first day of the new semester, Joseph and Jack walk home. When they arrive, Mr. Brook and Mrs. Stroud are waiting for them. Mr. Brook asks to take Joseph for a ride, but Mrs. Stroud won’t give permission; they talk in the living room instead. Mrs. Stroud tells the Hurds that Joseph’s father wants money from Maddie’s parents before he will allow Jupiter’s adoption to proceed.

Jack goes about his chores, but the sound of yelling from the house draws his attention. He walks in to find his father and Mr. Brook standing face-to-face, and both men are angry. Mr. Brook accuses Mr. Hurd of keeping Joseph only for the money. Mr. and Mrs. Hurd tell Joseph that all the checks have gone into a college fund for him, but Mr.