Popcorn

Andrew Yaeger is a seventh-grader who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. On the morning of picture day, he contends with “the regular stew of butterflies and worries” as well as his fear of germs as he gets ready for school (1). His mother, Susan, is starting a new job that day, and she and her son hope that this opportunity will improve things for their family. Andrew’s grandmother, G, lives with them because she has Alzheimer’s and is no longer able to care for herself. G was a beloved social studies teacher, and she proudly shows Andrew her old yearbooks.

Susan gives Andrew a spare shirt, and this unexpected addition throws off the system of his meticulously organized backpack. He taps the table five times to calm himself and tries to ignore the voice in his head telling him that he needs to reorganize his backpack or something bad will happen. Andrew’s best friend is a girl named Aisha “Jonesy” Jones. Her mother, Mika, is Susan’s best friend and will watch G that day. After Andrew and his mother wish each other good luck with their big days, the children hurry to the bus stop.