Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

This story begins on an early March day, as second-grader Jeff arrives home from school to find a note from his mother, Melody. The note says that she loves him, but must leave him and the Professor in order to help all the people who need her - orphans and animals and hungry children. Melody tells him that this is such a big job, that she will not be able to come back and see him. Jeff understands her desire to help people, but doesn't understand why she must leave him, and he cries. He makes himself stop because he knows that his father, the Professor, won't like it. The Professor likes order and routine, and working undisturbed in his study. Jeff remembers how his mother would pick him up from day care and take him to do fun activities, and...