Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

Granny Torrelli babysits Rosie as her parents work on a Saturday. Granny Torrelli tells Rosie to go get Bailey because they need his help. She runs to his house to ask him if he wants to help them make pasta. Rosie feels something coming between herself and Bailey, but Bailey is oblivious.

Granny Torrelli greets Bailey by saying ciao, which means both hello and good-bye in Italian. Granny Torrelli is busy getting all of the ingredients they need ready to make pasta. Rosie helps her grandmother add ingredients, but when it is time for the eggs, Granny Torrelli takes Bailey’s hands to show him how to crack the eggs himself. Rosie realizes that while she, herself, tends to do things for Bailey, Granny Torrelli instead shows him how to do things. This moment helps Rosie realize that Bailey does not need quite as much help as she thinks he needs. She considers herself to be a “take-charge Rosie” (83).

Rosie feels intense affection for Bailey. She thinks, however, about Janine. Janine is a new girl in the neighborhood who Rosie feels is too friendly and makes Rosie feel like an “ice girl, ice queen” (84).