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Ingrid's dad cheats on her mother
(pg. 36) Ingrid's father, Jerry, jeopardizes his marriage and family relationship by cheating on his wife. Jerry and Ingrid's mother decide to try working things out but it's only a rough road for their relationship after that. -
Jerry destroy's his wife's Wurlitzer and chandelier
(pg. 59) At home while in a heated argument Jerry smash's his wife's Wurlitzer piano and her expensive chandelier. This is also an important event that leads to the divorce between Jerry and his wife. -
Ingrid's parents divorce
This happens at home while Jerry is on a business trip. This important because it causes Ingrid to want to go on more of his business trips with her father. -
Ingrid's Mother meets Earl
(pg. 104) A few months after the divorce, Ingrid's mother dates a couple guys and eventually meets Earl. He's an important role in the story because his actions make Ingrid more confident and she has more of a "backbone". -
Ingrid starts to hate Earl
(pg. 108) After spending some time living with Earl, Ingrid along with her siblings quickly grow a hatred for their mom's new boyfriend. He's demanding, doesn't have a job, and even hits the kids. Since Earl's been around the children start to notice their mom's mood has been more angry, depressed, and tired. Earl's cruelness helps shape Ingrid's personality later on. -
Ingrid plans the first summer trip with her dad
(pg. 114) A few weeks before school ends Ingrid and her father plan for her to tag along on his business trip all summer. Ingrid does this partially to get a break from Earl but also because she enjoys helping her dad while he works. This event is important because it makes the summer business trip a tradition with Ingrid and her father. -
Ingrid's first summer trip comes to an end
(pg. 127) The business trip this summer wasn't as eventful as the next but it's an important stepping stone for the relationship between Ingrid and her father. -
Earl makes the family take counselling
(pg.134) After the children refuse to call Earl "Dad" or "Father", he decides to take them all to counselling at their Mormon church. This is important because it makes the children hate him more and less likely to put up with him. -
Ingrid goes on her second trip with her dad
(pg. 140) After a relatively uneventful school year, Ingrid gets back on the road with her father. This continues to strengthen their relationship and it gives Ingrid another taste of freedom. -
Ingrid makes some decisions
(pg. 144) Ingrid's father asks her to pick out what apartment and an office space they should rent from a flyer he gave her. It may seem unimportant but Ingrid sees this as a big decision and is glad her father trusts her. -
Ingrid runs away for the night
(pg. 165) Not long after getting back home from the summer trip Ingrid gets in a fight with earl again. He still wants her to call him father but she doesn't want to, so her mother and Earl think Satan's inside of her. They pin her down and try reading scriptures from the bible but Ingrid breaks free and runs away for the night. This is a key event that makes Ingrid question her relationship with her mother and why she's still with Earl. -
Ingrid's father is held hostage
(pg. 171) One night while Ingrid was at home her father was being held hostage by a man who escaped the psychiatric ward in prison. Luckily he managed to get away with being hurt. This event causes Ingrid's dad to be more cautious and careful.
