The narrator, Diana, shares her story of growing up with a mother who prioritized her acting career over her daughter's well-being. After a car accident, Diana moves to New York to live with her Aunt Carol and cousins Theo and Becky. However, she soon discovers that Theo is being bullied by a group of boys, led by Billy, whose father owns a company that employs Aunt Carol. Despite Theo's reluctance, Diana decides to take matters into her own hands and records evidence of the bullying, leading to Billy's suspension. When Billy returns, Diana intervenes again, and with the help of Theo and the school principal, Billy is expelled. The incident brings the family closer together, and Aunt Carol apologizes for not being more supportive of Theo. Diana's mother eventually appears, having turned down a movie role to care for her daughter during her recovery. However, Diana encourages her mother to pursue her dreams, and they share a heartwarming moment, with Diana acknowledging that sometimes the best way to show love is by loving oneself.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Diana, was born in a small town in America.
2. Diana's mother, who used to be a beautiful woman, left for Hollywood but returned when she was pregnant with Diana.
3. Diana's mother is an actress who hardly leaves the house and spends her time watching soap operas.
4. Diana's mother has a glamorous persona but is not very good at being a normal mother.
5. Diana felt embarrassed by her mother's behavior, especially when she would flirt with her male teachers.
6. Diana's mother would often give unsolicited acting advice to others, including a girl performing a one-man show.
7. Diana's relationship with her mother became distant over time.
8. Diana was hit by a car and broke her leg, requiring her to use a cane for a few months.
9. Diana's mother felt guilty about the accident and tried to be a better caregiver.
10. Diana's aunt, Carol, offered to take her in while she recovered from her injury.
11. Diana's cousin, Theo, was being bullied by a group of boys, including a boy named Billy.
12. Theo was forced to do tasks for the bullies and was humiliated in front of his peers.
13. Diana decided to take action and made videos of the bullying, sending them to the principal.
14. Billy was suspended for two weeks, but Theo was furious with Diana for intervening.
15. Billy returned to school and continued to bully Theo, but Diana stood up to him and he was expelled.
16. Billy's father apologized and promised that his son would not bother Diana's family again.
17. Theo began to recover from the bullying and became his old self again.
18. Diana's leg also started to recover, and she could walk short distances without her cane.
19. Diana's mother visited and announced that she had turned down a movie role in LA to care for Diana.
20. Diana encouraged her mother to take the role and pursue her dreams.