still , for that one month , she became obsessed , devouring all the amazing events that took place under the baking georgia sun , before rushing out to try to replicate them in her garden or the local park , staying out for as long as the remnants of the summer sun would allow , before hurrying home through the gloom in a vain attempt to avoid her mother 's wrath at her staying out so late and arriving home long after dinner had cooled .