It's Kind of a Funny Story

At breakfast, Nurse Monica announces that there will be a screening of Blade II that night. Craig meets with Dr. Minerva, expressing his concern about returning home. Craig has caught up on his phone calls but thinks his email “might be pretty deadly” (383). Craig recognizes how much of his anxiety and depression revolves around school. Craig’s perfectionism causes him to feel that “failing at school is failing at life” (385). Dr. Minerva asks him about Anchors, so he goes to retrieve a brain map to show her. On his way to his room, Craig passes a new resident that Bobby is touring. The resident introduces himself as Human Being and insists, “Your name isn’t Craig. It’s Human Being too” (388). Dr. Minerva remarks at Craig’s artistic talent and asks if he’s realized that he’s an artist before. She encourages him to think about going to a different school. Internally, Craig battles back and forth for a minute. He thinks it wouldn’t be practical to leave Executive Prep High School, and he needs a job to be “Rich. That’s the point. Rich and successful” (392). Then, Craig realizes that his pressure will only get worse, and he’ll wind up back at Six North or worse. He tells Dr. Minerva that he thinks he should transfer.

Craig leaves a card game with Armelio to see a visitor. As he leaves, Jimmy cries out that his mother hit him with a hammer. Noelle reassures him. Aaron has come to visit, holding a CD of Egyptian Masters. Aaron apologizes for the other night. Craig thanks him for bringing the CD and tells Aaron about his new school. Aaron shares that his father and mother are both on medication. With the amount of marijuana that he smokes, there “isn’t anybody in the household who isn’t seriously drugged except the fish” (396). Aaron and Nia are also back together. As he leaves, Aaron says, “Craig, don’t kill yourself, okay?” (398).

Armelio announces that Craig will draw maps for the residents. Armelio is first in line. Craig draws his brain with six unconnected highways “Armelio doesn’t mix up his thoughts” (400). Armelio gives Craig the phone number of the adult home that he will be staying at, and says his real name is Spyros. Next, Craig draws a map for Ebony, with circles representing the buttons she stole, along with a strip like Vegas. Ebony reveals that she’s had 13 miscarriages. For Humble, Craig draws “industrial chaos” along with an ocean in honor of Humble’s hometown. Noelle’s map is finished; it’s a guy and a girl connected by a bridge. She jokes that she’ll only keep it “to make you feel good” (404). After Craig draws Johnny and Bobby their maps, Bobby says that they shouldn’t exchange phone numbers. Bobby knows that people often have sad endings and doesn’t want Craig to be discouraged. Finally, Craig draws his most chaotic map for Jimmy.

Craig’s family comes to visit. He shows his maps to his parents and to Sarah, who comments “You don’t look all freaky as much” (412). Craig’s father is frustrated that he wants to “quit” school. Craig, defended by Sarah, tries to explain that it isn’t about quitting. He doesn’t want to return to Six North and that “it was all downhill” (414) after he got into Executive Pre-Professional. Craig’s father argues that Manhattan Arts Academy is a school “for kids who are screwed up” (415). Craig gestures to his bracelets, pointing out that Executive Pre-Professional didn’t do him any favors. His father concedes and his parents say they will come back to pick him up in the morning. When Craig admits to Sarah that he’s a little embarrassed of Six North, he says “it’s just a good type of embarrassment” (417).

Craig’s father stays for the screening of Blade II which is attended by several of the residents. Humble and the Professor bicker. When Noelle turns up, Craig’s father gives him a knowing look. Craig tells Smitty when it’s eight o’clock, claiming that he needs to “be independent” (422) from his father at the end of visiting hours. As his Dad leaves, he thanks Craig for “getting here and getting help” (422) and Craig says, “I love you” (422). Craig sets up an Egyptian record for Muqtada in the other hall. Muqtada is ecstatic. Craig tells Muqtada that just as he helped saved Craig from his encounter with Nia, Craig is trying to “get you out of your room and save you” (426), insisting that Muqtada play cards with Armelio. Craig returns to his room where Noelle is waiting.

Now that he and Noelle are alone, Craig is shocked at how relaxed he feels, thinking “There’s been so much hesitation in so many parts of my life that it’s shocking not to have any here” (427). He and Noelle begin kissing which he thinks “frickin’ rocks” (428). They continue to kiss as Craig touches her breasts and under her skirt. They laugh and hug. Craig thinks that of all the people in the world, “I’m the happiest of all of them” (433).

Craig’s parents arrive early the next morning to take him home. Craig thinks that his time at Six North “doesn’t seem too long or too short” (438). He says goodbye to the other residents. Noelle asks him to call her and asks how he’s feeling. Craig says that “I’m feeling like I can handle it” (438). When Noelle tells Craig’s mother that she goes to Deflin, she comments on how much pressure that school is. She thinks “they might have to change the whole system” (439) because of how young people like Noelle and Craig are impacted. Craig asks if he can walk a few minutes behind his parents to have time by himself. As he leaves, he realizes “I’m not better” (441) and that what led to his breakdown is still with him. He thinks he will call his friends and tell them he is switching schools or perhaps go to the park. As he walks through the lobby onto the sidewalk, he feels like “a free man” (442). Suddenly, he realizes that “I feel the lungs that have been doing their work quietly inside the hospital” (442). He realizes that he’s had the “Shift” and now wants to “do” instead of think. He wants do things, spend time with his family, volunteer at places like Six North, help people like Muqtada, draw, etc. He tells himself to “Take these verbs and enjoy them. They’re yours, Craig. You deserve them because you chose them” (444). He ends by telling himself to live.