Marking Period 1

In Part I, Melinda’s parents receive notice of her poor grades and confront her at the dinner table. Melinda listens to them wordlessly and leaves the table without responding. Her parents are left to scream at each other. After the dinner conversation, Melinda tries to pay attention in class.

Melinda's parents do not offer her much support or guidance. She communicates with her parents through sticky notes, and thus is not even expected to speak at home. Both of her parents work long hours and she is often alone in the house, and when they are home, they don’t get along particularly well.