#121: Abby in Wonderland
Abby, Anna, and Mrs. Stevenson are heading down to the Hamptons (must be nice!) for a week-long vacation with Abby’s grandparents. Abby is excited because 1) she loves the beach and 2) Abby’s grandparents are throwing one of their famous anniversary parties. This year’s party has an Alice in Wonderland theme. I wonder if Grandpa Morris and Grandma Elsie live near Ramona Singer in the Hamptons?!
Abby begins to notice some stuff going on with Grandma Elsie. Grandpa Morris is a little overprotective of her, she has a secretive appointment, she’s making a big deal about really wanting to get the family together for the anniversary party and is devastated when anyone says they can’t attend, and Abby finds pamphlets about breast cancer in Grandma Elsie’s bedroom. Abby starts to freak out and worry that Grandma Elsie has breast cancer, but she’s afraid to talk about it with anyone because 1) she doesn’t want to worry people and 2) she knows Grandma Elsie hates it when people share her secrets or talk behind her back. Instead, she sneaks around and hounds family members who RSVP’d “no” to the party to reconsider and show up. Some of them do, and it makes Grandma Elsie happy, and that makes Abby happy.
But eventually it all comes to a head — Abby bursts into tears during Grandma Elsie’s speech at the party and they have a heart-to-heart. Abby confesses her fears and Grandma Elsie confirms that she might have breast cancer; there was an abnormality at her mammogram and a biopsy is being tested. The book ends with this big loose end still untied, which is unusual for a BSC book. Come on, Grandma Elsie, pull through!
