Contents
Chapter 41
Overview
Ella, alone while Anton serves detention, goes to the university to find her biological father, Professor John Carter. At his office, an assistant mistakes her for Brittany and invites her to wait with snacks. Ella plans to reveal the truth, buoyed by the secret X-Acto knife in her backpack.
Summary
With Anton stuck in detention after being hit in a hallway confrontation, Ella is left on her own and dreads going home to smoke and tension. Seeking escape and answers, she wanders to the university where John Carter, her presumed father, teaches sociology.
Ella locates the sociology building, finds John Carter’s office, and feels pride at seeing his professorial title. She intends to tell John Carter the truth about her life and hopes he will help her. The X-Acto knife in her backpack, carried for security, bolsters her confidence though she does not plan to use it.
Before she can meet him, Bettina, an assistant, approaches and mistakes Ella for Brittany Carter. Bettina warmly praises “Brittany,” mentions John is at a staff meeting, and offers snacks while Ella waits. Hungry and reassured by the misunderstanding, Ella accepts and remains, poised to confront her father when he returns.
Who Appears
- Ella (Eleanor)Thirteen-year-old narrator; seeks out John Carter, feels pride, plans to reveal truth, carries X-Acto knife.
- BettinaUniversity assistant who mistakes Ella for Brittany and invites her to wait with snacks.
- AntonElla’s friend; gets detention after a hallway altercation, leaving Ella alone.
- John CarterSociology professor and Ella’s presumed father; absent in a meeting but Ella targets him.
- Brittany CarterJohn’s daughter; taller than Ella. Ella impersonates her to wait at the office.