After Annie: A Novel

Fall begins well for Ali as her classmates elect her to the position of class president, and Bill begins taking more of an active role in caring for the younger boys. They also have someone who comes twice weekly to help cook and clean, and Ali feels lighter without domestic responsibilities. Ali has a new group of friends but still thinks of Jenny often. Miss Cruz introduces Ali to Elizabeth, Jenny’s sister, which is confusing because Jenny is an only child. Elizabeth explains that her father abused her, and she moved away to stay with her aunt. Jenny wrote Elizabeth letters and spoke often of Ali, but most of these stories were lies because her father didn’t let her do anything with her friends. Elizabeth explained that she is now 18 and had planned to take Jenny out of the home, but the family has moved away to an unknown location. Although Ali thinks that she has failed her friend, Elizabeth thanks her for standing up for Jenny and promises that when she finds her, she will tell her how much Ali cares for her. Ali asks Miss Cruz why she and other adults couldn’t protect Jenny from her dad.