The narrator, Miley, recounts her childhood experiences with her parents, who were often neglectful. When she was in fourth grade, she befriended a girl named Lucy, who was a thief, and asked her parents to adopt her. After some persuasion, they agreed, and Miley and Lucy became like sisters. However, their relationship became complicated when Lucy started hanging out with a bully named Diana and eventually became a bully herself.
Miley tried to intervene, but Lucy became rebellious and eventually got expelled from school for cheating. Lucy left home, and Miley was devastated. Years later, Miley got married and discovered she couldn't have children. Her husband, John, left her for another woman, leaving Miley with two kids, Dan and Dean.
Miley adopted the kids and raised them as her own. One day, at a parent-teacher meeting, she encountered Lucy, who had become a mother herself. Lucy's son was a bully, and Miley confronted her about it. Later, at a school carnival, a fire broke out, and Lucy saved Miley's son, Dan, from the flames, injuring her hand in the process.
Miley was grateful and asked Lucy why she had risked her life for Dan. Lucy revealed that she had been carrying guilt and shame for her past mistakes and had kept the locket Miley had given her as a reminder of their sisterly bond. The two sisters reconciled, and Miley forgave Lucy for her past transgressions.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Miley's parents were neglectful and often forgot about her.
2. When Miley was three, her parents left her home alone.
3. Miley's parents were going out for their anniversary dinner.
4. Miley was in fourth grade when she invited her parents to her annual day function.
5. Miley's parents did not attend her function.
6. Miley met a girl named Lucy who was trying to steal a sandwich.
7. Lucy told Miley she was an orphan and lived in an orphanage with an evil caretaker.
8. Miley invited Lucy to come with her and offered to adopt her.
9. Miley's parents refused to adopt Lucy.
10. Miley visited Lucy at the orphanage every day.
11. Miley's parents eventually agreed to adopt Lucy.
12. Lucy started school with Miley, but was nervous.
13. A girl named Diana bullied Lucy and Miley stood up for her.
14. Lucy and Miley became like real sisters.
15. Lucy started hanging out with Diana and her friends.
16. Miley saw Lucy cheating on a math test with Diana's help.
17. Lucy and Miley had a fight, and Lucy ripped a little girl's notebook.
18. Miley and Lucy had a physical fight, and Lucy left.
19. Lucy was expelled from school for stealing exam papers.
20. Miley's husband, John, left her and abandoned their children.
21. Miley adopted two children, Dan and Dean.
22. Dan and Dean forgot they had another mother before Miley.
23. Miley found Dean crying because he was being bullied.
24. Miley met Lucy again at a parent-teacher meeting.
25. Lucy's son was the bully, and Miley confronted her.
26. A fire broke out at a school carnival, and Lucy saved Dan from the flames.
27. Lucy's hand was burned in the fire.
28. Miley thanked Lucy for saving Dan and asked why she risked her life.
29. Lucy said she owed Miley for what she had done for her.
30. Miley and Lucy reconciled, and Lucy explained why she had run away.
31. Lucy kept the necklace Miley had given her years ago.
32. Miley forgave Lucy and they hugged.