Chronically Dolores: Chapters 10–12

by Maya Van Wagenen
This novel, inspired by the author's real life, follows Dolores Mendoza as she struggles with a chronic illness and discovers the power of unexpected friendship.

Here are links to our lists for the book:
Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–12, Chapters 13–15, Chapters 16–18, Chapters 19–21, Chapters 22–24, Chapter 25–Epilogue
25 words 14 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. revelation
    communication by a divine or supernatural agency
    We do one thing, God does another—actions and reactions laid out in Scripture or tradition or revelation.
  2. crux
    the most important point
    Priest: That’s pretty much the crux of it.
  3. afghan
    a blanket knitted or crocheted in strips or squares
    He meandered his way through the living room, stepped around the TV in its box, and picked up a crocheted afghan from the couch.
  4. grating
    causing irritation
    For several minutes, the only sounds to be heard were grating chewing and plate-scraping noises.
  5. lucrative
    producing a sizeable profit
    “You see, I’m going to be making a very lucrative investment in our future.”
  6. excise
    remove by cutting
    Maybe then I could excise it.
  7. exorcise
    expel through adjuration or prayers
    Or exorcise it.
  8. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
    Unlike the list of cumbersome accommodations that IC added to those around me, my pain didn’t impact anyone else.
  9. elaborate
    add details to clarify an idea
    He didn’t elaborate.
  10. cadence
    the rhythmic rise and fall of the voice
    “Because . . .” he repeated in that same cadence, “because they told me that I’m supposed to get all that stuff from you.”
  11. matter-of-fact
    concerned with practical matters
    Terpsichore’s voice was cold and matter-of-fact.
  12. rift
    a personal or social separation
    “Casimir’s death will create a permanent rift in our family,” she told her mother.
  13. sullenly
    in a manner showing a brooding ill humor
    I studied Terpsichore who was curled up sullenly against the door, her fingers in her ears.
  14. eccentricity
    strange and unconventional behavior
    “Socially, I’m sure he’s very savvy. You know, I don’t envy you, Dolores, being a teenager in the public school system nowadays. Kids are just so cruel. They’ll find any little weakness or eccentricity and twist it into...” The weight of the woman’s negativity gathered around me like a cloud, blurring my vision in a gray haze of gloom.
  15. ascot
    a tie with wide square ends
    Dolores is dressed in a dark peacoat, ascot, and fedora as she chews a stick of gum with a sophisticated air.
  16. seedy
    shabby and untidy
    If Shae’s room was a five-star resort and mine a seedy motel, then Terpsichore’s was a comfortable Days Inn—cozy, family friendly, low crime.
  17. middling
    average or mediocre in quality or ability
    “It’s...middling. Mediocre. A waste of beautiful fabric.”
  18. apathy
    an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
    Unsatisfied with my apathy, Terpsichore took my hand and ran my finger around the edge of the collar.
  19. lapel
    a fold of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket
    “Look at the top stitching here and down the lapel. And the welt pockets.”
  20. staccato
    marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds
    She had a short staccato chuckle that almost sounded fake, but I knew instinctively that it wasn’t.
  21. fixation
    an unhealthy preoccupation with something or someone
    I asked, remembering her Broadway fixation.
  22. vocation
    the particular occupation for which you are trained
    “I meant along the lines of a job or vocation?”
  23. perturbed
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    Terpsichore frowned, perturbed by my answer.
  24. malodorous
    having an unpleasant smell
    The large basket of malodorous bath toys, wooden step stool, and splatter of pee on the underside of the toilet lid significantly lower the overall experience.
  25. communal
    for or by a group rather than individuals
    The toilet paper is midlevel quality at best, and there is a communal bar of soap that stays perpetually damp.
Created on Fri Mar 14 05:54:17 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Mar 17 09:20:19 EDT 2025)

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