Summary

The chapter intro is A.J.'s shortest note to Maya. "A Conversation with My Father" is written by Grace Paley, and A.J. writes to Maya that the book is about a "dying father arguing with his daughter about the 'best' way to tell a story."

The chapter is written mostly from Maya's perspective as she works on writing a short story for her creative writing class. The assignment is to write a piece about someone the writer wishes he or she knew better. Maya isn't sure about whom she should write. She begins writing about Amelia's cat, Puddleglum, but after two drafts gives up that idea. Amelia and A.J. both try to help, but Maya is upset about not being able to write and therefore is annoyed at their suggestions. Part of Maya's irritation...