Chapters (68)
- Cover
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- One
- Two
- Chapter One
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Chapter Two
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Chapter Three
- Ten
- Eleven
- Chapter Four
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Chapter Five
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Chapter Six
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Chapter Seven
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Chapter Eight
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Chapter Nine
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Chapter Ten
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Chapter Eleven
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Chapter Twelve
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Chapter Thirteen
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Chapter Fourteen
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Chapter Fifteen
- The Following Summer
- About the Author
- About the Publisher
It was party day. Ali got up early, anxious to begin decorating. Digger had bought a huge bag of balloons, which he and Ali blew up together and attached to a multitude of twirling silver and gold streamers that crisscrossed one another across the living room and hallway ceilings. The plastic Academy Award statues lined the fireplace mantelpiece, and Ali’s mom hung golden paper stars that said GIGI and 100. Then Digger unrolled the red carpet. It ran from the bottom of the stairs, where Gigi would make her grand entrance, into the living room.
But there was one more surprise. Digger ran down to the basement and returned with a life-size cardboard cutout of Walter Pidgeon and placed it next to the fireplace. It was like Walter was just hanging out, waiting for a piece of birthday cake.
“Where did you find it?” asked Ali as she stood on her tiptoes to look into Walter’s twinkly brown eyes.
“I had someone make it for her,” said Digger, standing back to survey their decorating handiwork. He smiled at Ali’s mother. “What do you think?”
“I think the house looks beautiful,” she said, holding out her hand so Ali could join them in a family hug. “Gigi is going to love this. I told her she had to stay upstairs today. No peeking!”
“How many people are coming?” asked Ali.
“Thirty-three. And no Other Sloanes, if that’s what you’re going to ask next. I did get a call from Teddy’s sister, Karen. She asked me to wish Gigi a very happy birthday. Poor Karen.”
Ali broke away from her parents and flung herself on the couch. “I’ll never understand why they all listen to Andrew Sloane.”
Her mother joined her. “Honey, I know it’s hard to understand, but they love Uncle Andrew. They’re doing what they think is right, just like we’re doing what we think is right.”
Ali sighed. “I guess, but it would be a lot easier if we all agreed on what was right.”
“Amen,” said Digger, batting at a balloon that kept nudging the side of his head. “It’s time to stop worrying about the Other Sloanes. You know what I’m giving Gigi as a gift?”
“What?” asked Ali.
“I’m forgiving myself for what happened to Teddy. It’s time to move on.”
Talking about gifts made Ali sad. “I don’t have a gift for Gigi. I know we’re not supposed to worry about the Other Sloanes anymore, but them coming to the party was supposed to be my gift to her.”
“This party is your gift,” corrected her mother. “And I’m with your father. As of right now, this family is going to have fun again. No. More. Wallowing.” She glanced down at her watch. “My goodness—it’s eleven thirty! We have to go pick up Gigi’s cake, the hors d’oeuvres, and copies of the newspaper.”