Chapter 1. Summary

Julie is initially portrayed as a high school senior who's only concern at the moment is whether or not she will get into the college of her choice, her mother's alma mater, Smith University. She is a privileged young woman with a loving mother. Her father died eight years ago.

When the letter from the school comes, Julie is so excited to get the results of her application that she completely misses the other, smaller letter that was also delivered that morning. She and her mother are both thrilled about her acceptance at the school, although her mother voices some concern about her having "changed" over the last year. Julie used to be a bubbly, fun-loving, cheerleader who spent more time with her boyfriend, Ray, than she did on her studies, so while this acceptance letter proves that Julie has settled down with...