The narrator, Sage, has a unique condition where she laughs instead of cries when she's sad or upset. This condition leads to misunderstandings and bullying throughout her childhood and teenage years. Despite her struggles, Sage finds solace in art and eventually becomes a successful artist. She meets a kind and understanding boy named Eugene in detention, and they start a romance. However, their relationship is put to the test when Sage's mom reveals that she's been secretly buying Sage's art to encourage her. Sage and her mom eventually leave her dad's house and start a new life. Sage and Eugene's relationship ends due to distance, but they reunite years later, and Eugene becomes her agent. They get married, have children, and Sage becomes an art therapist to help kids express their emotions through art. The story concludes with Sage's youngest child, Freya, who has the same condition, being told that she's strong and okay, and Sage working to create a supportive environment for kids like her.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Sage, has a condition where she laughs instead of crying when she's sad.
2. Sage's parents thought she was the happiest baby in the world because she laughed all the time.
3. Sage's dad didn't understand her condition and thought there was something wrong with her.
4. Sage's mom tried to cheer her up by putting a dollar in a jar every time her dad got mad at her.
5. Sage used the money to buy art supplies and developed a passion for painting.
6. Sage entered an art contest in school, but Monica, a classmate, won by a landslide.
7. Sage's painting was stolen, and a new Instagram account was created with her artwork.
8. Monica was accused of stealing Sage's artwork, but she denied it and blamed Sage.
9. Sage met a boy named Eugene in detention, and he became her friend and art tutor.
10. Eugene's dad is a neuroscientist who helped Sage understand her condition.
11. Sage sold her paintings on Instagram and made enough money to buy good quality materials.
12. Sage entered a national art contest and won, but Monica accused her of being a fraud.
13. Sage's mom was revealed to be the one buying her paintings on Instagram to encourage her.
14. Sage's dad was furious and kicked her and her mom out of the house.
15. Sage and her mom moved to her grandma's house and started a new life.
16. Sage worked hard and built a new website to sell her art.
17. Sage got into a great art college on full scholarship and had her projects exhibited in many galleries.
18. Sage met Eugene again, who became her agent and represented her in the art world.
19. Sage and Eugene got married and had three children, including a daughter named Freya who has the same condition as Sage.
20. Sage became an art therapist and started after-school programs to help kids channel their emotions into art.