On what memorable day in history does this story take place?
November 22, 1963 -- the day President Kennedy was assassinated.
How does the narrator first become aware of Eugene?
She sees him from her fire escape, where she likes to read.
Why does the narrator like Eugene even before she meets him?
She can see that he spends a lot of time reading, like her. She feels as though he is also the perfect example of what a typical, "normal" American kid should be. She wants so badly to feel normalcy. She feels as if she has a connection with the house Eugene and his family move into.
According to her mother, how does Elena seem to feel about Eugene?
She is infatuated with his life. Mom says she is being unrealistic, forgetting that they live in different parts of society, and is only setting herself up for humiliation and pain.
How does Eugene's mother react to Elena's visit?
She is cruel and disrespectful. She thinks Elena is nothing but trouble for Eugene. She tells Elena to go away.
