Playing Favorites

     In the beginning of the third portion of this novel, the reader gets a little more detail about what happened between Campbell and Julia. We get the idea that Campbell's parents would not approve of Julia because she is not one of the typical girls of rich families at Wheeler High School. Julia believes that since Campbell's parents do not approve of her that he just used her to make them upset, but Campbell tries to assure her that's not the case - to no avail. Even though Campbell may have been able to do more to try and convince Julia that he truly loves her, he decides to turn away and not turn back.
     Campbell eventually comes to find Anna and her father, Brian, at the fire station. It is in this moment that Brian admits that he believes that Anna is right about everything and is even willing to testify on her behalf in court. This is a huge turning point in the case. Up until this point, it is believed that no one ever really stuck up for Anna. However, this preconception is shown to be incorrect when we learn about when Anna donates bone marrow to Kate.

      For those who do not understand the bone marrow procedure, it is not exactly a pleasant one. The donor has to be put under anesthesia in order to not be under unbearable pain. An extremely long needle is then inserted into the bone from the hip to withdraw the bone marrow needed for a transplant. Before Anna has this procedure done, we hear Sara say, "'You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but I know that Kate is counting on you. And Daddy and me'" (231). While this does appear that this is the only known attempt from Sara to actually ask Anna's permission, it still does not display the procedure in its true light. However, Anna does - in this case - give her consent to the procedure. After the transplant occurs, Anna asks for Sara to come into her room - as she is currently with Kate. Sara finds Anna balling and wants her mother to stay with her, but is denied and told that her mother needs to stay with Kate. The response Anna gives displays what is more common to Anna's life, "'But I'm in the hospital,' she says. 'I'm in the hospital!'" (233). Even though Anna is in the hospital too, Kate is still shown as the number one priority in the Fitzgerald family.
     One inspiring aspect of Sara Fitzgerald that we see is when Kate is doing well enough to go out and do things, but chooses not to go anywhere. Kate is so self-conscious about herself since it is obvious that she has cancer just by looking at her. In response to this teen's self pity, Sara shaves her head - completely shaves her head. This is one moment where Sara does display her love for her daughter. Even if her love is not always equal between her daughters, Sara clearly cares about them.
    It is at this point in the book that we discover Kate's true health at this moment. Dr. Chance, Kate's oncologist, tells them that unless she gets a kidney transplant, she will die within a week or so. Finding out this information gives the family a whole new tension about the trial. Shortly after getting this information, Brian tells Sara that he plans to testify on Anna's behalf. It is now clear that Sara knows that with one parent testifying on Anna's behalf, the court will rule in Anna's favor. After receiving this news, Sara does what a good lawyer has to do at this point, ask for a settlement. Sara offers this scenario to Anna: if Anna donates this kidney to Kate, she will never be forced to donate anything else. However, Anna quickly declines.
   This brings the reader to the time of the hearing. Campbell and Sara show up looking for Anna to find that she is not there. Both of them realize immediately where Anna is, and Campbell finds her at the hospital with Kate. Before Campbell takes Anna to the courthouse, he does his best to get to the bottom of what she really wants because the signs are very inconsistent. In the end, he does not get anywhere with Anna, but he does know that Anna wants to continue with the case.
   It ends with Sara being questioned vigorously about Anna's health in the past. While it may seem like Campbell is getting his way, Sara has a response that makes everyone - including the reader - think twice about what position Sara has been put in, "'Aren't you asking me to that very thing?' Sara asks, 'Only this time, to favor the other child?'" (298). This quote makes the reader wonder, is it possible to think of this situation without favoring either Kate or Anna?