Ms. Bixby's Last Day

Steve, narrating this chapter, describes the occasion on Friday afternoon when Maggie sets her class in a circle and explains her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Maggie insists that she will overcome the disease. Steve relates to her that, even though she has a serious illness, it will not necessarily be fatal, saying, “[j]ust because it can doesn’t mean it will. Things are never as bad as they seem” (19).

Steve remembers the day he brought his honorable mention medal to class after performing in a talent show in which he named every country in the world, every capital, every spoken language, and the total population of each nation. This is significant to Steve because it is the first medal he ever received, though his sister has earned many trophies and medals for her accomplishments as an athlete, musician, and student. When a classmate mocks Steve’s honorable mention, Maggie praises Steve for being true to himself and not giving in to the opinions of others.

As he narrates this chapter, Brand tells of the occasion when he picked a booger from Steve’s nose just to show that you can pick your friend’s nose. He shares how he came to be friends with Topher and Steve, even though they have little in common. When he first transferred to Fox Ridge Elementary School in the fifth grade, he walked into the cafeteria looking for a place to eat and asked the boys if he could sit with them. That marked the beginning of their friendship. Brand says he is not as smart or creative as they are. Since they are his only friends, Brand rejoiced to find out he was in Maggie’s class with them. He describes the benefits of having Maggie as his teacher, saying, “mostly there was the way she listened to you, giving you her full attention. […] Miss Bixby fixed you with her eyes and waited for you to finish no matter how long it took you to figure out what you wanted to say” (30).

Brand describes the way Principal McNair came into the class on Monday to say that Maggie would not return for the duration of the year. Students became upset, saying they had planned a farewell party for Friday. Brand expresses that he needs to see Maggie and speak to her one more time.

Referring to himself and Steve as special agents, Topher narrates this chapter in which the three boys decide to skip school, acquire a few special gifts, and visit Maggie in the hospital before she leaves for medical treatment in Boston. Topher and Steve feel dismayed that Brand has not yet arrived and it is almost time for school to begin. Originally, they planned to go to the hospital on Saturday, then overheard from other teachers that Maggie will depart on Saturday morning.

Topher explains that, through the leadership of Maggie’s substitute, Ms. Brownlee, the students created handmade get-well cards, to be sent from the school office to the hospital. Steve carries the cards to the office, enabling him to memorize the hospital address and Maggie’s room number.

Once Brand arrives, the boys use Steve’s cell phone to call the school and report that they will not be attending today. This causes Steve to feel quite anxious. Topher says, “[h]e has a reason to worry. Mr. and Mrs. Sakata are helicopter parents, except they are more like military grade helicopters” (54). In contrast, Topher refers to his parents as flitters who are constantly in motion and pay very little attention to him. This bothers him because he once felt he was the center of their universe before his little sister was born and they took on disparate work schedules.

As they walk toward the city bus station, the boys encounter Mr. Mackelroy, the other sixth-grade teacher, walking toward school. When he asks what they’re doing, Brand quotes a derogatory remark he heard the teacher make about Principal McNair and points out that Mackelroy cannot afford to be late for class again. Alarmed at this, Mackelroy rushes toward the school, ignoring the boys.

Narrating this chapter, Steve comments on the changes occurring in his life. He expresses dismay that Pluto is no longer considered a planet. It troubled him as well when Maggie suddenly disappeared from school. He also feels uneasy at times because Brand joined his friendship with Topher, turning a group of two into a group of three.

Steve notes that the city bus smells like a wet dog. The boys ride the bus to a shopping center. In his backpack Steve carries speakers that they will use to play the mix of music that Maggie likes, tracks he has recorded on his phone.

Steve remembers that he and Topher became friends when they met in first grade. Steve’s parents allowed Topher to be his friend because he made acceptable grades. They remained together in the same classes all the way through to the sixth grade. Steve refers to Topher as one of the constants in his life: “Constants are called that for a reason. You can take them for granted” (75).

Once at the mall, they find the bakery they are looking for, Michelle’s. The proprietor is a man named Eduardo who speaks with an accent. He explains this store is his, but he thought Michelle’s was a better name for the establishment than Eduardo’s. Eduardo negotiates with the boys over a white-chocolate raspberry supreme cheesecake, Maggie’s favorite. The full cake would be almost $55. When Topher says they will take two slices, at $9 apiece, Brand asks Steve and Topher to wait outside while he negotiates with Eduardo.

As he waits outside, Steve remembers his father seeking a conference with Maggie because Steve received a B in language arts on his report card. Mr. Sakata criticized the teacher for giving Steve the B. Maggie held her ground, which pleased Steve. As Steve and his father left, Maggie quoted a line from E.T., saying “B. Good,” and touched fingertips with Steve.

Brand steps out of the bakery holding a large box with the full cake in it. He explained to Eduardo why they wanted the cake for Maggie, and the baker sold it to him at half price.

Brand begins his narration of this chapter by describing his negotiations with Eduardo. The boys travel from the bakery to a used bookstore down the street called Alexander’s. When they enter, the store is dark and ominous. Seeming to look over all that is happening is a taxidermized owl high up on the shelf. Steve goes in search of a bathroom, leaving Topher and Brand in the middle of the store. Brand describes the vast number of books around them saying, “[i]t reminds me a little of room 213 and how there are books everywhere you look. Miss Bixby would like it here […]. A place you could get lost in” (101-02).

The proprietor finally appears, an elderly, short individual who Brand compares to Yoda. Topher explains that the boys are looking for the fantasy section. Steve returns from the restroom and tells Brand there is a shark in the toilet. Brand goes to the restroom and discovers the painting of a shark inside the toilet bowl. He compares this to the sort of prank his father used to play before the accident that injured him severely. Following his injuries, Brand’s father ceased to be a playful, practical joker.

Brand returns to the cash register where the proprietor engages in a riddle game with Steve and Topher. As they ponder the riddles, the boys hear their bus rumble by.

Brand reflects on his father’s accident. Standing on a faulty scaffolding, his father, Abe, fell 30 feet. His injuries were severe, including broken bones and cuts, though the most severe injuries were to two vertebrae in his lower back. He endured many surgeries and medical procedures and an extended hospital stay, finally coming home from the hospital in a wheelchair. Initially, Abe expressed commitment to recovering his physical abilities but gradually gave up on rehabilitation. Because his mother died when he was young, Brand now must care for the house, the cooking, and his father.

Because the bus has passed, the boys go to the bus stop to wait for the next ride. As he rearranges his backpack, Topher pulls out his sketchbook, which Brand holds, flipping through the pages. Brand finds a well-drawn portrait of Maggie that he realizes required a lot of time to create. Topher sees him looking at the drawing and demands that Brand give him the sketchbook. The two boys fight over the book, ultimately tearing the book in half.