CHAPTER SIX

Summary

Jamie and Landon ask Miss Garber's permission to present the play before the orphans and she thinks it's a marvelous idea. (Those are her usual words in response to anything positive!) Jamie herself is very excited about the decision, because she wants to do something more special this year than any other. When Landon asks her why, she simply says she just does.

Before they go to the orphanage to present their idea, Landon takes Jamie to his house for the first time. She is totally awed by the beauty of a place that has only one special spot for Landon: the window from his room that leads to the porch on the upper level and is his escape hatch when he wants to sneak out at night. She speaks to Landon's mom who just raises her eyebrows when Jamie tells her that presenting the play to the orphans was Landon's idea. When they leave, Jamie tells Landon that his mother is a wonderful woman and that he should count his blessings. He responds sarcastically, Oh, I do I'm practically the luckiest guy alive. He thinks she doesn't catch the sarcasm in his voice.

On the way to the orphanage, she compliments Landon on how he is presenting his lines and tells him she knows he will be accepted at UNC, because she has prayed for him. She asks him if he ever really thinks about the future and tells him he should become a minister, because he's so good with people. Then, Landon asks Jamie what she wants to do in the future and is surprised when she responds that she wants to get married, that she wants her father to walk her down the aisle and that she wants everyone she knows to be there. Landon is surprised by such an answer, given that Jamie will probably be class valedictorian and should go to college.

Jamie also talks about having visited the orphanage since she was ten years old and thinks going there and helping them is the greatest feeling in the world. Of course, this makes Landon feel guilty. He's learning that Jamie can twist you every way but normal. Unfortunately, Jamie's good feeling about presenting the play to the orphans is vetoed by Mr. Jenkins, the director, because the play is about how much a father loves his daughter and it would be difficult for the orphans to be reminded of how much they're missing by not having parents. Jamie had sincerely not thought of that possibility and so is devastated that the play cannot be presented.

Seeing how badly she feels makes Landon believe a girl like her should never be made to feel that way. He knows what kind of person he is and so feeling badly would be something he should feel, but not her. They end their visit by going into the rec room to see the children. The kids are ecstatic to see her and it's obvious they feel very deeply about her. As for Landon, he is struck by how sparse the room is - few toys, only newspapers to color on, and one small TV surrounded by thirty children. He can't imagine growing up in a place like this. He compliments Jamie when they leave for her dedication to the kids, but her eyes show only that she's wondering what she can possibly do to make this Christmas the most special one of all.

Notes

Jamie's example once again showcases how much Landon has and doesn't appreciate. She is excited to help the kids while he is uncomfortable even going to the orphanage. She is awestruck by the richness of his home and tells him he should count his blessings, but he can only respond to that in a sarcastic tone. She is deeply disappointed in not being able to present the play to the children while he can only imagine how horrible it must be to grow up there. And yet for all his continued shallowness, the reader can see in Landon the beginning of some change. He is starting to notice that the world doesn't revolve around him and his problems and Jamie is a continuing source of inspiration, even though he doesn't really realize it yet.

There are several examples of foreshadowing: Jamie's greatest wish is to do something more special for the orphans this year than any other. This prepares us for her belief - to be revealed later - that she doesn't have long to live; her only desire in life is to be married with everyone she loves around her and her father walking her down the aisle. This prepares us for later when Landon is trying desperately to fulfill her final wishes; Landon feels guilty about her sadness which prepares us for how she becomes so wrapped up in his world; and Landon is stunned by the sparseness of the orphanage which prepares us for his later generous gift.

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