Stacey's Lie (RS#76)

Original Publication Date: 1994

Ghostwriter? Yes, Suzanne Weyn

Synopsis:

Stacey's dad is taking a break (or attempting to, anyway) from his workaholic tendencies and offers to take Stacey on a two-week vacation anywhere, up to and including Europe. Naturally, she chooses nearby Fire Island, where her boyfriend will be working during the summer. Her dad also says Stacey can bring Claudia along. But Stacey doesn't tell her dad or Claudia that Robert will be there since she wants to avoid conflict. Naturally, it blows up in her face, causing some issues when Mary Anne, Kristy, and Shannon visit for the Fourth of July (the BSC actually takes a few days off, since Jessi and Mallory are working at a community center during this time). Stacey's dad feels used when he finds out and is mad at her too.

However, Stacey's dad has a secret of his own: he's been going off to meet up with his girlfriend. Just like Stacey, he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so he'd been avoiding the issue altogether. Knowing that her dad has the same well-meaning but misguided flaw helps Stacey sort things out.

Subplot: Haley Braddock and Vanessa Pike get in a big feud but it gets sorted out.


Established or continued in this book:

The Girls (and Logan):

Claudia candy: Cheetos under her pillow

Stacey's taking pre-algebra in eighth grade. I took it in seventh, a year ahead. I'm better at math than Stacey!

Wasn't Dawn's extended visit to California supposed to be about six months? She left in early autumn, and now the school year's ending.

Claudia's showing an interest in photography.


Their Families:

You can see Stacey's parents trying to be civil about each other around Stacey. It's not working that great, but at least they're not having shouting matches in hospitals.


The Club:

Stacey describes Shannon as the newest member of the BSC, but she was an associate before Mallory and Jessi joined.


SMS: summer vacation


PSA Time: Nothing stood out.


Misc:

Stacey says that a restaurant won't be very busy at six in the evening. When does she usually eat? Claudia thinks it's early for dinner, too. Although she does turn out to be right...is the East Coast into late dinners?


The numbers:

Starting 8th grade: 6

Valentine's Days in 8th grade: 2

Halloweens in 8th grade: 3 (plus one in seventh)

Thanksgivings in 8th grade: 1

Summers after 8th grade: 7

BSC Fights: 8

SMS Staff and Faculty: 45

Students (other than the BSC): 165; 101 8th graders, 6 7th graders, 42 6th graders, 15 unspecified

Clients: 29

Types of candy in Claudia’s room: 94

Crushes:
Stacey-11
Claudia-8
Dawn-5
Jessi-3
Mallory-2
Mary Anne-2
Kristy-1