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1. When, precisely, do the vandals break into the Jerome home in the beginning of Part One? Who encounters them as they are vandalizing the house?

Part one begins with the narrator's description of the destruction of a "seven-room Cape Cod cottage" by four home invaders; the vandals break in at 9:02 p.m. on April Fool's Day and completely trash the home. At 9:46 p.m., 14-year-old Karen Jerome arrives home and discovers the chaotic scene.

2. At what time do the home invaders depart the Jerome home in the beginning of Part One? What damage is left in their wake?

At 9:51 p.m., the home invaders flee the home, leaving behind 23 beer bottles, 2 empty vodka bottles, property value estimated at $20,000, and Karen Jerome, who is described as "broken" in the cellar.

3. Why is Jane Jerome upset when the narrative switches to her storyline in the beginning of Part One?

The action jumps forward two days later to 16-year-old Jane Jerome feeling guilty for having argued with her sister on the night of the break-in. Karen Jerome is now in a coma in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

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