The Thing About Jellyfish

Suzy feels better once she decides to travel to Australia to meet Jamie. She is convinced that Jamie will be the one person who understands her. She eats lunch now in Mrs. Turton’s room, and Justin eats there sometimes as well. Mrs. Turton supplies interesting science videos or books to consider over lunch. One video features a scientist who suggests that “all living things are composed of the atoms of collapsed stars” (228). Sarah Johnston stops by on an errand one day and Mrs. Turton invites her to stay, but Sarah leaves when she sees Suzy frown at the idea.

Suzy knows that she will need a credit card to buy the airline ticket to Australia, which costs over a thousand dollars. Her father leaves his credit card at the table every Saturday night as they finish their meal so that he can go wash up. Suzy writes the card’s numbers on a pink index card over four dinners. She assumes that her father will understand when he finds out what she has done.

Suzy wants to have $500 in cash to take on the trip. She has $283.62 in her piggy bank from her allowance and spare change.