Summary
Mr. Danziger gets Katherine a summer job as a tennis counselor at Jamie’s camp. Katherine is furious. She will be away from Michael for seven weeks. She refuses to go. Her parents don’t budge. They say she needs a change. In order to be honest, she decides to tell Michael about her job immediately. Erica cancels her weekend plans due to Katherine being upset. Michael and Artie come over Erica’s. Artie is in a good mood until they sing Happy Birthday to Michael. The song triggers Artie’s somber feelings on life. Michael and Katherine have sex. Katherine uneasily tells Michael about her job. Michael confesses he has a job too. He’s known for weeks, and was going to tell her that night. They are both upset. Michael and Artie leave. Erica starts to cry, because Artie threatened to kill himself that night. Later, he attempts suicide, ending up in a psychiatric hospital. Michael and Erica blame themselves. Artie wanted to talk to Michael on the way home, but Michael was consumed by his own problems. Artie was waiting for Erica when she came home from school, but she ended them for good. Katherine gets Michael a sweater for his birthday. He loves it. The three go to a bar the next night. Michael and Erica get drunk. Katherine’s parents help Michael and Erica get cleaned up. They let them spend the night after calling their parents. Katherine cries. June arrives. Katherine cuts her afternoon classes one day, spending the time with Michael in bed. Katherine’s family celebrate Mrs. Danziger’s fortieth birthday. Erica and Katherine visit Sybil and her baby girl. Sybil has a lot to say.
Things That Make Me Go “Hmm”
In the beginning of this section, Katherine's Dad tells her that the boy Sam Fox originally hired to be assistant tennis counselor contracted hepatitis. Katherine’s family was not shocked, or even a little bit surprised. This made me conclude that hepatitis was more common in the 1970's, due to the sexual revolution.I can feel by cheeks burning along with Katherine’s. Her parents took the job at the camp for her. I cannot stand it when my parents answer for me, like when they answer the phone and tell my boss that I can come into work that day.
I realized that Jamie looks up a lot to Katherine. She gets really worried when Katherine talks of leaving home.
Erica is such a good friend. She canceled her weekend plans at a beach house in order to comfort Katherine.
Michael loves spinach. He eats a whole bag. Sounds like my brother.
I cannot believe that Katherine had never seen Erica cry until the night Artie was suicidal. They have been friends since their freshman year.
When Artie attempts suicide I wonder if he did so because of his uncertainty with his sexuality. It's sad that suicides relating to sexuality are still occurring today.
At first I was confused as to how Erica, Artie, and Michael got drinks at a bar showing their driver licenses. Upon researching, I found that the legal drinking age was lowered to eighteen in the 1970’s (before it was quickly raised back to twenty one).
Katherine's parents are so relaxed with her drunken friends (Michael and Erica). They help them get cleaned up, and they let them spend the night. My parents would have been upset if I brought my friends home drunk.
Assigned Focus-Thinking Aloud
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