Most people probably wouldn't call the main character of this story, Rebecca Brown, a criminal...yet. But in the chapter "Criminal" we learn of the events that lead her down this path. At the beinning of the chapter she tells us she hasn't ever stolen anything until the day when she takes a magazine from the doctor's office.

She wants to finish a story in the magazine about a balding man who leads a mundane life. The magazine story ends with "The man's wife wanted more from life than Saturday trips to the hardware store" so the wife leaves him.

At the end of this chapter, Rebecca also appears to be leaving her old life and heading for a new one. I'm not sure what terrible thing she is planning as she packs up barbecue starter, ripped up postcards from the mother who deserted her, a shirt for her boyfriend, and two cigarette lighters. But it's clear that her intent is to get arrested.

Rebecca is another one of this book's characters I feel sorry for -- circumstances seem to destine a tragic path for them. Her mother left, her minister father kept her prisoner, her boyfriends deserted or made fun of her, and she was unable to hold down a job. Rebecca craves attention and sympathy, and it's sad that the only person who provides it is a distant telephone operator with a soothing voice and manner at the company selling shirts.

Rebecca's math teacher Olive was the only person to reach out to her, an offer that was rejected. Was there anything that could have saved this lonely girl? What do you think she did next?

E-mail this entry to a friend