As one of the older kids in the group, Frenchie has some responsibility to help guide RiRi toward adulthood—and in this case, he's beginning to see that while she's still young, she's becoming more mature and is possibly ready to handle the truth. Juxtaposing the beginning of Story with the fear surrounding Rose's arrival reminds the reader of just how precarious Frenchie and his family's position is. Though Rose is a friend, they can't forget that their lives could've changed dramatically for the worse.