Be Real, Macy Weaver: Chapters 40–57

by Lakita Wilson
In both South Carolina and Maryland, eleven-year-old Macy, desperate for a best friend, weaves a web of lies that she hopes would be impressive.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–12, Chapters 13–27, Chapters 28–39, Chapters 40–57
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. confrontation
    a hostile disagreement face-to-face
    After her confrontation with PJ, Macy’s mom sat on the couch for a long time with her arms folded and her long nails drumming the sides of her arms, until finally she popped up again to say, “Your dad wants a big fancy dinner? Fine.”
  2. stoop
    bend one's back forward from the waist on down
    At the grocery store, Macy pushed the cart while Mom stooped down to look for all the ingredients she needed to put together a fancy feast for her family.
  3. tenant
    someone who pays rent to use property owned by someone else
    “Sure hope the new tenants are quiet folks. Nobody wants a buffalo stampede over their heads.”
  4. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    Grace smiled at Macy, looking way more polished than the disheveled Grace from before Thanksgiving break.
  5. crude
    not carefully or expertly made
    In marker, Nathan had drawn a picture of a girl ten times as round and tall as the tiny stick figures surrounding her.
    Macy looked at Grace, who was staring at the crude drawing, too.
  6. whimsy
    an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
    Christmas Day was full of cheer, whimsy, and lots and lots of gifts.
  7. galore
    existing in abundance
    Wrapping paper, popcorn kernels, and presents galore covered the faded wooden floors.
  8. transcript
    a written record of dictated or recorded speech
    This is a transcript of a little conversation I had with Mr. Burns. I think you’ll find what he had to say quite interesting, Brynn.
  9. fateful
    having momentous consequences; of decisive importance
    “I would just like to know which student exited your room last on that fateful day?”
  10. manipulate
    influence or control shrewdly or deviously
    “You told us your mom was a world-famous fashion photographer. How could you play with Brynn’s emotions like that? You know how much Brynn loves fashion. You purposely manipulated her into being your friend.”
  11. verdict
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
    “I’ve been studying this case for a while now. And I believe I’ve finally reached a verdict. Macy Weaver, you were never a true friend to me and Brynn. You...are a liar."
  12. wilt
    become limp
    As soon as she saw Macy standing there looking as wilted as a flower on the hottest summer day, she said, “Come on in and join me at the window.”
  13. prosecute
    bring a criminal action against
    “Grace must get that prosecuting spirit from her dad. Macy tells me he’s quite the litigator.”
  14. tattered
    worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
    Macy didn’t have time to be embarrassed by her dad standing barely two feet away from Brynn in a tattered bathrobe, crummy house shoes, and unbrushed teeth.
  15. turmoil
    disturbance usually in protest
    Macy tried to eavesdrop, but could only make out a few of Pax’s words, like “House of Anomaly,” “turmoil,” and “on hold for the foreseeable future.”
  16. distinct
    recognizable; marked
    “Come on back, Macy,” the guidance counselor said in a distinct Southern accent that felt comforting and reminded Macy of home back in South Carolina.
  17. overwhelming
    very intense
    Then she said, “Remember, if the creepy-crawlies become overwhelming, you can come visit me at any time—even when it’s not lunchtime.”
  18. glimmer
    a flash of light
    By the end of their lunch session, the clouds surrounding Macy parted—and for the first time since Grace’s sleepover, Macy saw little glimmers of sun.
  19. former
    belonging to some prior time
    Macy fought to breathe as her former friend stopped key-digging to stare in Macy’s direction.
  20. acknowledge
    declare to be true or admit the existence or reality of
    If she was being honest with herself, she could write out a long list of the things her mom did that hurt her. She knew them all, already. But Macy needed her mom to name those things, too—to acknowledge she knew what she did wrong.
  21. principle
    rule of personal conduct
    I’m not talking to Macy based on principle. I cannot be swayed.
  22. stump
    cause to be perplexed or confounded
    It was the second piece Macy couldn’t figure out. Stumped, she got out of bed and wandered into the living room for a fresh, new place to think.
  23. ponder
    reflect deeply on a subject
    While pondering ideas, Macy noticed a small black item lying in the corner of the couch.
  24. thrift
    extreme care in spending money
    Macy pulled out her new sewing machine, fabric, her glue gun, some odds and ends her dad picked up from a local thrift shop, and sewing material PJ donated.
  25. regal
    belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
    Grace stood tall and regal on the stone steps, wearing her mother’s old college graduation gown, with a judge’s gavel in her hands.
  26. embroider
    decorate with needlework
    She unfolded the black silk robe with its royal purple trim—her favorite color—and her initials embroidered in gold thread on the right sleeve, and gasped.
  27. expose
    reveal the true nature of pretentious or false claims
    “I guess I should apologize, too, for investigating you and exposing you to Brynn.”
  28. cue
    a reminder for some action or speech
    “Let’s go,” Pax shouted. On cue, Grace lifted her phone, pressed Play, and blasted music into the air.
  29. mesmerized
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    When Macy first came up with the idea of showing their collection at fashion week, she imagined fashionistas from all corners of the world gathering on the curb, completely mesmerized by the fabulous show they were putting on.
  30. genuinely
    in accordance with truth or fact or reality
    Having a community of people genuinely caring about her was what had kept Macy going all these months.
Created on Sat Dec 02 10:28:08 EST 2023 (updated Mon Dec 04 11:08:16 EST 2023)

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