The Last Straw

Dad accidentally throws out Manny’s “Tingy.” Manny takes his anger out on everyone, destroying Dad’s Civil War battlefield and calling Greg “Ploopy.” Greg tries to tell on Manny, but it only emboldens him to call him “Ploopy” more often. Greg thinks back to his younger days when he and Rodrick told on each other so often that Mom made them air their grievances to a stuffed turtle called the “Tattle Turtle” instead of to her.

On Easter Sunday, Greg accidentally sits on chocolate in the car, staining his church pants. Rodrick takes off his pants and offers them to Greg just as Dad’s boss, Mr. Warren, drives by. Mom refuses to let anyone get out of church and makes Greg tie her pink seater around his waist to hide the stain. Greg spots Holly Hills several pews back. When the offering basket comes around, Greg makes a big show of placing Mom’s money in the basket, hoping that Holly will be impressed. When Greg realizes that Mom gave him a $20 bill, he regrets giving it away. Greg resents how his parents baby Manny and let him play with toys during church, so Greg whispers