Summary

Chapter 38 is subtitled Dad's Week. Isaiah is particularly attentive after “that mess in the parking lot” (160). Isabella is accustomed to apologizing for her mistakes, and finds it “weird” when parents are in a position to need to apologize. Isabella is no longer sure what normal is, but she wants a normal life. Though she often finds Madame Rubenstein demanding, she has learned a lot. She is touched when Madame Rubenstein presents Isabella with one of the bangle bracelets she always wears. On Saturday, Isabella goes to the mall with Imani and Heather. Imani's mother will be at the mall, but the girls will have some freedom.

In Chapter 39, subtitled Dad's Week, Isabella makes toast exactly as she likes it at Isaiah's house. Darren notices. As Darren and Isabella tease each other over breakfast, Isabella realizes she likes “having a brotherlike dude in the...