Surviving the Applewhites

For a week now, Govindaswami has been attempting to teach the Applewhites the art of meditation. Bernstein has taken over the schoolroom because he needs to use the computer, leaving E.D. unable to study or complete her math tests. She has fallen behind in her coursework and has become frustrated. She has voiced her concerns to her father, who is preoccupied with the play, and her mother, who is grappling with writer’s block. Archie is always out fishing, and Lucille is so immersed in her meditation she doesn’t understand what could be wrong with the present moment. Even Zedediah offers no assistance.

E.D. looks at the caterpillars in the tank, and resentment courses through her. She can’t shake the feeling of envy toward Jake for having come up with the idea of collecting caterpillars and wonders, “Why hadn’t it ever occurred to her to do the same?” (109). The day Jake made the aquarium had been the last day they had been a class: It was decided at dinner that Jake had demonstrated initiative and creativity, no longer needing to be lumped together with E.D. Since then, he had been spending his days hiking with Winston and Destiny, returning with leaves and pinecones.