The narrator, Jody, recounts her childhood experiences with her brother Josh, where they would constantly compete for everything due to their father's encouragement. However, their lives changed when their parents got divorced, and they stayed with their father. Jody's mother, who was not financially stable, would visit them on weekends and special occasions.
Years later, Jody's mother got engaged to a wealthy Real Estate Mogul, Steve, and invited Jody and Josh to visit her new home, a grand palace. Jody was impressed and decided to move in with her mother, leaving her father and brother behind.
As Jody settled into her new life, she started attending a fancy private school, joined a popular group called the Wildcats, and participated in lavish parties. However, she began to drift away from her old life and relationships, including her brother and father.
One day, Jody's brother Josh called her to plan a surprise party for their father's birthday, but Jody forgot about it due to her busy schedule. When she finally visited her father, she hurt his feelings by saying that he was stingy and that she preferred her new life with her mother.
Jody's life continued to spiral out of control until she had a confrontation with her friends, who were disrespecting her and her home. With the help of Darcy, the butler's daughter, Jody cleaned up the mess and began to reflect on her life choices.
Jody eventually discovered that her mother was not trying to buy her love but was instead showering her with hers. Jody realized that she didn't need material possessions to be happy and decided to leave Steve's mansion with her mother. They started a small baking business together and reconnected with Jody's father and brother.
In the end, Jody found happiness and a sense of belonging with her family and friends, and her baking business took off with the help of her brother Josh.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Jody, is from North Dakota.
2. Jody's dad made her and her brother Josh compete for everything.
3. Jody's parents got divorced when she was seven years old.
4. Jody's mom wasn't financially stable, so Jody and Josh stayed with their dad.
5. Jody's mom visited them on weekends and special occasions.
6. Jody's mom got engaged to a Real Estate Mogul named Steve.
7. Steve was rich and had a big house.
8. Jody's mom asked Jody and Josh to live with her, but Josh refused.
9. Jody moved in with her mom and Steve.
10. Jody started attending a fancy private school.
11. Jody became friends with a group of popular girls called the Wildcats.
12. Jody started smoking with her new friends.
13. Darcy, the butler's daughter, saw Jody smoking and told Steve.
14. Steve was disappointed in Jody and told her he was paying for her school fees.
15. Jody's mom and Steve were going to an important event, and Jody was left alone at home.
16. Jody invited her friends over, and they had a party.
17. The party got out of control, and Darcy intervened.
18. Jody realized she didn't want to be friends with the Wildcats anymore.
19. Jody's mom and Steve were having problems in their relationship.
20. Steve was cheating on Jody's mom.
21. Jody's mom was heartbroken and wanted to leave Steve.
22. Jody realized her mom wasn't trying to buy her love with gifts.
23. Jody and her mom moved out of Steve's mansion and started a new life.
24. Jody and her mom started a baking business from home.
25. The business took off with the help of Jody's brother Josh.
26. Jody reconnected with her dad and Josh and kept in touch with Darcy.