Chapter 17 Summary

The rest of Penny's summer will be spent in the hospital. Penny divides the kids in her ward into two groups — those that are dumb and those that are unlucky. Most fall into the first category, having done something incredibly stupid to get themselves a bed in the hospital for an extended period. Only one girl is in the unlucky category, and Penny hears the nurses talking. She has a blood cancer and they say she is dying. Penny has a steady parade of visitors that come to see her, and there are many times where the constant effort to socialize is exhausting. Everyone wants to know the same thing — how is she feeling? Of course that translates into can she move her fingers yet? The answer is no. Penny tries every day, but can't wiggle them at all. Frankie is...