Returnable Girl (pages 144-194)

 Returnable Girl by Patricia Lowell


Summary:

It has been a month since Ronnie discovered her mom wrote her a letter asking her to move to Alaska with her. She also found out that Alison hid the letter from her. Ronnie told Alison she does not want her to file the adoption anymore and she chooses to move with birth mother. Later on, Ronnie called Cat if she can sleepover. Even though she spends most of her time with Paige and the popular girls, Cat is the only one that understands her. She told Cat about her decision about moving to Alaska. Cat is happy for her, but she was going to hiss her also, even though she treats her horribly. A week later, it’s Ronnie’s birthday. She received a package from her mother, a birthday gift, a small pink heart sweater with kittens. Her mother also told her she has a new boyfriend Big Doug. He used to do cocaine and is in recovery now. Ronnie did not think it is a good idea and suggested she should wait. Her mother lost her temper and they both hung up on the phone, mad at each other. Ronnie was upset that her mother chooses the wrong men to be with and soon to live with her. She was not concerned about her mother that much, it is mostly her little brothers. Ronnie’s court date is in five weeks. It is the biggest decision she had to make and she is having second thoughts. She wants to see her brothers but she thinks it is better for her to stay with Alison. There was a dance at school. Ronnie and the popular girls attend together. At the end of the night, everyone saw Cat grinding on Tyler, who is Paige’s boyfriend. Paige became mad, and thought of revenge. In school the next day, Cat was harassed throughout the whole day. Ronnie did nothing. A few days passed by and Ronnie realized Cat has been absent for two weeks. Teachers gave Ronnie homework assignments to drop off at Cats. When she arrived at her house, Ronnie wanted to know why she stopped going to school. Moreover, it was because of the harassment. 

Quote:

“I called Cat to see if she wanted to sleepover because even if Paige found out, Cat is the only one who understands me” (Lowell 149).

Reaction:

I understand Ronnie wants to popular and fit in with the popular girls, but even though she does not stand up for Cat when she harass in front of her, I think she should at least tell them to stop. Cat was nothing but nice to her, and its obvious Paige is the mean girl. Ronnie should show some respect and loyalty to Cat, because she was always a friend to her to begin with.