The story revolves around Katie, a young girl who has lived with her aunt and cousin since she was a baby. Her parents had an accident when she was a baby, and her aunt has always been distant and unloving. Katie's life changes when her father, who she didn't know existed, tracks her down. He explains that he and her mother had gotten divorced before she was born, and her mother had an accident. He apologizes for not coming for her earlier and promises to love her.
Katie's life at her father's mansion is initially difficult due to her stepmother, Mary, who is cold and unfriendly. However, Katie's life changes for the better when she meets Veronica, a girl at her school who becomes her friend. They become part of a popular girls' gang, but Veronica starts to bully other kids, including a boy on crutches. This leads to a fight between Katie and Veronica, resulting in their suspension from school.
Katie's father, dad, is away on a business trip when Veronica sneaks into their house at midnight on Katie's birthday. She presents Katie with a cake and tries to apologize, but Katie is suspicious. Katie's father returns, and Mary throws a birthday party for Katie, which is the best day of her life.
A few months later, at a school dance, Veronica pulls up Katie's dress, revealing a long scar on her back. Katie confronts Veronica, and the entire school learns about the scar. The principal expels Veronica, and Katie's father and stepmother, Mary, apologize to Katie. Katie finally accepts Mary's love and they become a family.
1. The speaker, Katie, is from New York and has lived with her aunt and cousin Lucy since she was a baby.
2. Katie's parents had an accident when she was a baby, and her aunt took care of her.
3. Katie's aunt and cousin Lucy lived in a house where all the wall frames had pictures of just Aunt and Lucy.
4. Lucy had the biggest room, bursting with toys and books, and another room as a closet.
5. Katie lived in the attic with her aunt and cousin Lucy.
6. Katie's aunt was never happy and she did whatever her aunt asked her to do.
7. When Katie was 10, a new neighbor came to visit her aunt and was awestruck by Katie's appearance.
8. Katie's aunt threw a letter with Katie's name on it into the fireplace.
9. Katie's aunt threw away all the letters and plane tickets that Katie had sent for her.
10. Katie's father, whom she had never met, showed up at her aunt's house.
11. Katie's father explained that he and her mother had gotten divorced before she was born and her mother had told him never to get in touch.
12. Katie's mother had an accident and her father found out just recently.
13. Katie's father tracked her down and they hugged tight.
14. Katie's aunt had made her think that her father wasn't even alive.
15. Katie's father told her to pack her things and they flew over to New York.
16. Katie's father's mansion was much larger than her previous home.
17. Katie's father was married to a woman named Mary, who was cold and unfriendly towards Katie.
18. Katie's father and Mary had a loud argument in front of their guests.
19. Katie's father and Mary had a statue in their living room.
20. Katie accidentally broke the statue and her father looked upset.
21. Katie was enrolled in school and felt nervous.
22. Katie made friends with a girl named Veronica, who was part of a popular girls gang.
23. Veronica and her friends made fun of a kid on crutches, causing Katie to defend him.
24. Katie and Veronica were suspended from school for a week.
25. Katie's father was disappointed when he found out about the incident.
26. Mary, Katie's stepmother, tried to apologize to Katie and start over.
27. Katie started hanging out more with Mary and found herself liking her.
28. Mary threw Katie the most amazing birthday party ever.
29. Katie was asked out by a new boy at a school dance, and Veronica pulled the back of her dress, revealing a scar.
30. Katie confronted Veronica and slapped her.
31. Katie's father and Mary defended Veronica, who was expelled from school.
32. Katie's father and Mary had a fight, and Mary punched Veronica's mother.
33. Katie apologized to Mary for thinking it was her fault.
34. Mary told Katie that she loved her and that she was her daughter.