All We Know of Heaven, Jacquelyn Mitchard. Cycle 24 Reading Response, 56-73.

Brief Summary:

In the next two chapters, a new teammate on the cheerleading squad is introduced: Molly. Molly is described to be "the dream girl"-- the girl with a great body and great personality. She always expected perfection when it came to the squad, regardless of the fact that she wasn't even the captain. Bridget was always on the sloppy side, but Molly loved her anyway for her enthusiasm and her determination to become better. For that, she sincerely misses having Bridget around. However when asked, she replies that she does not miss Bridget more than Maureen. Molly also has "dreams" that Maureen is alive.
Danny, though a committed boyfriend, admits that it was getting, "hard to see past the ugliness and the smell," 60. However, he still stuck by her side. He had only been attending about half of his classes, going in for just his tests. Coach O'Malley had been covering the cost of gas, sometimes, so Danny could make the hour long trip to visit Bridget. That's how close Bridget and Maureen were-- Maureen's dad would pay for Bridget's boyfriend to visit Bridget. And, just as Danny began to feel like giving up on Bridget, she opened her eyes.
She was trying to say something, but she couldn't get it out. Danny got right next to her side and began to say things like, "Bridge, it's been two months. I can't eat. I can't sleep. If you don't wake up now... Please," 62, and "Think of Maury. Fight harder for Maury. You have to fight!" 62. "Mo-ruh," 63, she said. Danny, so excited, began to shout that she had called for her mother, but that's not what she was trying to say.
Bridget was moved to the rehabilitation area. Danny truly believes that he was the reason behind her awakening. Why else would she wake up on our fourth anniversary, February 23? he thought to himself. Though this was a supposedly glorious time, the social workers seemed sad. Even Kitt Flannery, Bridget's mother, couldn't help but ask God to take her if she would lead a life different. The costs in the hospital were also adding up, and they haven't been able to work much; the Flannery family may need to sell their house.

New Vocabulary:

• hard-nose-- [adj.] realistic and determined; tough-minded
• commons-- [noun] piece of open land for public use
• ream-- [verb] criticize or rebuke someone
• toning-- [noun] use of tuning forks in specific ways to stimulate brain
• berth-- [noun] situation or position in an organization or event
• quarry-- [noun] a typically large, deep pit/ place where stones or other materials have been extracted
• perturb-- [verb] make (someone) anxious or unsettled
• chafe-- [verb] make sore by rubbing against it
• swizzle-- [verb] stir (a drink) with a swizzle stick
• scads-- [plural noun] large number or quantity
• SIDS-- [noun] sudden infant death syndrome

Reflection:

There are many implications throughout the novel, All We Know of Heaven, that the identities of the two young girls have been mistaken--that it is Maureen who is really alive, not Bridget.

"Yeah. Bridget was always a crazy driver. But Maureen?" page 58. (Leland)
This statement made by Leland also implies that the girl in the hospital bed is indeed Maureen and not Bridget. Bridget was the crazy driver, and Bridget is the one they would expect to have an accident--not Maureen. And, earlier in the story, it had been mentioned that Bridget decided to make the long drive to the meet, not Maureen, though they drove there in Maureen's car. So, Bridget still may be the "crazy driver."

"No. But it feels like if Bridge wakes up, we'll have a part of Maury back, too. I have weird dreams that Maureen is alive," page 57. (Molly)
This reply made by Molly, after being asked if she missed Bridget more than Maureen, foreshadows and further implies the fact that Maureen is alive; not Bridget. In writing, every word should have a purpose, and I think that the purpose of this comment is to have the reader thinking and questioning whether there is a twist in this tragic and somewhat depressing tale.

Danny was not the type to brag; but he was sure it was he, not the lady with the little bells and pipes, who brought Bridget around, page 64.
Bridget, or the girl they believe is Bridget, opened her eyes on February 23. This was no ordinary day to Danny, though; February 23 is their fourth anniversary. Danny believes that he was the motivation behind "Bridget" waking up, and I agree, though I don't believe this girl is Bridget. I think that Maureen woke up for Danny. Earlier in the story, the girl lying on the hospital bed had several thoughts about Danny. And later in the story, it was revealed that Danny and Maureen shared one special night together that made Danny question his feelings for Bridget. With the amount of time that the three of them spent together, it wouldn't be hard to imagine Maureen asking herself if she was developing feelings for Danny, if the relationship they shared wasn't just a friendship, but in fact more.