It's Not the End of the World

Karen thinks that she will never get married. Her teacher used to be nicer before she got married. Her parents always fight. Today, her father came home 20 minutes late and got mad that they’d started dinner without him. Karen’s mom insists that he should have called. Bill notices that Amy isn’t eating at the table, which angers Ellie, who thinks that he’s accusing her of starving Amy. He calls Amy into the kitchen and she tells everyone a riddle, which she has been doing frequently since starting first grade. Amy knocks over her milk and worries that her mom will be mad. Ellie angrily throws a sponge and slams the door. Karen remembers how, last week, Bill critiqued the mocha icing on a cake Ellie made, and Ellie smashed the cake at his feet.

After the milk debacle, Bill drives away from the house. Jeff walks out of the kitchen and Amy cries. Karen knows that Jeff has disappeared to his hideaway where he works out and talks to Mary Louise Rumberger on the phone.