Synopsis (Chapter 7)

Robbo's parents spilt up when he was only six years old. Robbo's father then moved out from their
house and Robbo and his sister, Callie visited him at his place regularly. Robbo's stepfather, Roy
moved to their home but Callie disliked him. She also nicknamed him as 'The Beard' as Roy seemed
to interfere with their family affairs. Their mother then gave a birth to Dumpa, Robbo's half
brother. 

One day, when Roy and their mother had a row, Callie tried to get their parents back together but
failed. day, Robbo's mother had a serious row with Roy over Callie's habit of pushing her bicycle
through the narrow space between his car and the bushes beside it as it almost scratched Roy's car.
They started shouting each other . Roy was angry as he felt his wife siding with Callie and that
neither of them appreciated his effort in sending the kids to school or paying for food. Robbo's
mother and Roy's efforts to solve the problem but they ended up arguing. the situation worsen
when Roy decided not to drive Callie to school and sledging activities when snow started to fall. He
even refused to buy her favourite brand of cereals as she was not polite and civil to him. 

The next day, roy decide to clear the shed during the middle of a heavy snowfall with Dumpa
following him. Robbo's mother tried to get Dumpa in, but he refused and only listened to Roy.
Robbo then succeeded in coaxing Dumpa into the house by offering him strawberry rocket ice lolly.
From that day onward, their mother was always stuck in the middle, as both Callie and Roy were
unhappy and upset with each other. She also realized that the only solution to the problem is for
her to move out her father's place. 

Robbo's father then suggested to his ex-wife to go on a holiday with Roy to help them solving the
problem. He even offered to take care of Dumpa while there were away. The story ended with
Robbo's optimistic view of his family as they can now start afresh. 

Ralph compared Robbo's story to Richard Harwick's story because his sister, Callie and Richard
both did not like their stepfathers and had to leave their family. However, unlike Richard who ran
away from his family, Callie tried something different in order to make things work at home. Ralph
also mentioned that everyone in their group had tried their best to solve their problems at home.
Claudia then put the journal back into its place, but took out Charlotte's little wooden cow, removed
a tiny splinter, and gave the little wooden cow to Ralph who thrust it into Collin's bag, hoping that
Colin would find his stepfather again.

Step by Wicked Step – Chapter 7

Settings
Place: a) Hope’s house

b) Robbo’s dad’s house

Time:

Characters and Characteristics

1. Robbo
Robbo seems to be a matured, intelligent, friendly and non-confrontational. He loves his
parents, his sister, his step-brother and his step-dad. He is able to live in any condition and
does not have problem in the divorce.

2. Callie
Callie is unable to stand her step-father. This is mainly due to the fact that she does not want
her parents separated. In fact she tries very hard to patch them back. She loves her father
very much. In the end she makes a compromise and decides to live with her Dad.

3. Robbo’s mum
She tries very hard to be fair to her husband and her children. And eventually gives up
maintaining peace between her husband and Callie. She compromises and allows Callie to
stay with her Dad.

4. Roy
Roy is fair to his step-children. However he is unable to be on the good side of Callie as she
never gives him any chance. He loves his biological son, Dumpa so much.

5. Dumpa
Only 3 years old and very intelligent. Loves his father so much. And everybody loves him.

6. Robbo’s dad
Never gets along with his wife. Was happy to accept Callie into his house.

Step by Wicked Step – Chapter 7

Themes
Non acceptance of the divorce, non-acceptance of the new relationship in the family, non
acceptance of the new circumstance the broken family is in
is perhaps felt most by the children. In those circumstances sometimes there will be a
binding force which may be holding the whole broken family together but the binding force
may only be a thin line.

However, great the love of the adults among them, when they have children, the children’s
love for the parents and the love of the parents of the children play a mighty role in the new
family relationship. There is a great possibility that even the new extended family
relationship may be broken due to the parent’s love for the child and a great possibility that
the love for the child may only be the binding force holding up the family relationship.

Making a decision

Lack of responsibility

Step by Wicked Step – Chapter 7

Lessons and Moral Values

1. One cannot expect everything to fall into place like one wants to in any situation. This
applies to divorces too. Just because one finds the first marriage is unable to
continue, that does not mean the second marriage will fall into place neatly.

2. The most difficult issue in any divorce is the children’s issue. When adults are unable
to solve their differences even though they are married can children be forced to
accept the differences which is naturally present in the new family members?

3. After a divorce, what can parents do if their own children fight against them and the
new relationship? A precarious situation which is difficult and unsolvable unless there
is ample compromise.

Step by Wicked Step – Chapter 7