Dear Mr. Henshaw Diary 32-37 Summary

Writing stories is hard work. Leigh wants to write like himself and not copy another story he's heard.
Plus, he's still waiting for his dad to call.
Too bad another sweet treat was stolen from his lunch again.
Mr. Fridley reminds him that everyone's got troubles. Leigh thinks Mr. Fridley would make a super grandfather.

Leigh is down in the dumps because his dad still hasn't called, even though he said he would.
Mom says not to get his hopes up because his dad forgets sometimes.

According to Leigh's book o' maps, his dad should be in Bakersfield now, so why hasn't he called?
Mom says being a trucker isn't easy because of the loud winds in your left ear, greasy food, too little exercise, and too much stress.
Leigh wants to know why his dad does it if it's so hard.
Mom says Dad loves driving a powerful machine and the excitement of being on the road.
She used to ride with him until Leigh was born, and Leigh wonders if she'd still be doing that if he hadn't come along.

Dad hasn't called, and Leigh is "filled with wrath" at both of his parents (35.1). (Sounds like he's trying out some new writing tricks.)
He's mad at his dad for breaking his promise even though it was in writing, and he's mad at his mom for divorcing him.
Also, he really misses Bandit.

The sugar refinery is shutting down, which means his dad won't be going there and maybe Leigh won't ever see him again.

Some of his mom's friends come over to drink coffee and talk about life.
Leigh doesn't want to go into the living room and be asked dumb questions, so he's hiding away in his room with a couple of the ladies' sleeping babies.
He remembers riding with Dad once and how exciting it was.
At the truck stop, everyone knew his dad as Wild Bill, and Leigh was proud to be his kid.