My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

On Monday, Elsa decides to deliver the letter to The Monster during her lunch hour at school. As she is leaving school, she is chased by a group of boys who grab her backpack with Granny’s letter inside. She must fight in order to protect it, and winds up with three deep scratches across her cheek.

Elsa rings The Monster’s doorbell but no one answers. She is angry that Granny apparently shared their private stories of Miamas with The Monster. Elsa again gives chocolates to Our Friend, through its mail slot, telling it, “If you see The Monster, tell him I have mail for him” (58). Looking out the bus window on the way back to school, Elsa sees the slim, cigarette-smoking man again.

Back at school, Elsa is summoned to the headmaster’s office, and Mum is called in as well. The headmaster implores Mum to keep calm, saying, “Think of the baby” (66). He suggests psychological counseling for Elsa. Elsa is obstinate, speaking rudely to both the headmaster and Mum. On the drive home Mum uncharacteristically loses her temper with Elsa, telling her that she is not the only one who misses Granny.