86 pages • 2 hours read
Wendelin Van DraanenA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Part 1, Chapters 1-3
Part 1, Chapters 4-6
Part 1, Chapters 7-9
Part 1, Chapters 10-12
Part 1, Chapters 13-15
Part 1, Chapters 16-18
Part 1, Chapters 19-21
Part 1, Chapters 22-24
Part 1, Chapters 25-26
Part 2, Chapters 1-3
Part 2, Chapters 4-6
Part 2, Chapters 7-9
Part 2, Chapters 10-12
Part 2, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 1-3
Part 3, Chapters 4-6
Part 3, Chapters 7-9
Part 3, Chapters 10-12
Part 3, Chapters 13-15
Part 3, Chapters 16-18
Part 3, Chapters 19-21
Part 3, Chapters 22-24
Part 4, Chapters 1-3
Part 4, Chapters 4-6
Part 4, Chapters 7-9
Part 4, Chapters 10-12
Part 4, Chapters 13-15
Part 4, Chapters 16-18
Part 5, Chapters 1-3
Part 5, Chapters 4-6
Part 5, Chapters 7-9
Part 5, Chapters 10-12
Part 5, Chapters 13-15
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Jessica wakes up alone in the early morning hour. She looks to the chair her mom normally sleeps in, but it’s empty. She remembers that she told her mother that she didn’t have to stay overnight anymore. Her mother was uncertain of Jessica’s request, and tells her, “I’d switch places with you, Jessica. In a heartbeat” (36). Jessica knows that her mother would do just that if she could.
They both know, however, that her mother cannot take Jessica’s place. Still, it bothers Jessica that her mother “has been sleeping in that chair” (37), so she tells her mom to go home, that she will be okay on her own. But, in fact, Jessica finds herself alone and upset, and she begins to cry. It’s been eight days since the amputation, and it already seems like a lifetime.
Fiona stops by the hospital after attending Lucy’s funeral service. She confesses to Jessica that the experience was terrible. Although the service itself was beautiful, with people telling stories about Lucy and flowers all over, all Fiona could think about was why this had to happen at all.
Jessica is moved by Fiona’s tears, and she knows she should be thankful that she survived the crash, but she can’t.
By Wendelin Van Draanen