Q3 Outside Reading Week 3 Post B

Although I'm close to being half way through the book, my character analysis isn't quite over yet. This week, I'm going to be talking about Campbell Alexander and Julia Romano. In My Sister's Keeper, there is the main storyline/ ethical dilemma plaguing the Fitzgerald family and tearing apart something that was barely held together. The second plot is the story of Anna's lawyer (Campbell Alexander) and her guardian ad litem (Julia Romano). Their relationship is one that extends all the way back to their high school days in Wheeler School.

Campbell Alexander is a successful lawyer whom Anna seeks for help. Although she doesn't have enough money to pay him, he is willing to help her. Thinking this will be an easy case, he plunges head-first into a family barely held together at the seams and agrees to virtually destroy the Fitzgerald family.
Julia Romano is a guardian ad litem, someone assigned to help look out for Anna's best interests. It is because Judge DeSalvo decides this case needs more looking over that Julia comes into the picture. Her job is to get to know Anna and her family, and truly understand what is best for this 13-year-old girl.

When they were in high school, Campbell and Julia met their senior year. He was the captain of the sailing team at Wheeler, and a picture perfect boy for this private school. She was different, with her pink hair and combat boots, Julia never truly fit in. But Campbell was intrigued by this not-so-normal girl and they eventually met in a cemetary. Campbell's friends didn't like Julia and Julia's twin sister disapproved of Campbell, but they fell in love nonetheless. Although we haven't learned their whole past, it can be assumed that there was heartbreak and a trauma of some sort that left Julia heartbroken and Campbell wishing he could start things over.

They met again over Anna's case. Campbell claimed he was looking out for Anna's well being, which was actually Julia's job. She has a twin sister which might've have been intentional on Picoult's part, making it easier for Julia to relate to Anna and Kate's relationship. He's alone, with the exception of his dog Judge. Even today, they are still an influence on each other's lives. They can't escape from the past, and to both, it's too painful to face it. Julia is trying to keep her cool and her job. But she does a decent job of getting to know the Fitzgerald family. Anna opens up to her; Brian does the same; Kate and Julia connect over knowing what it's like to have a sister; she hasn't met Jesse yet; it's only Sara that doesn't like her. But Sara doesn't like anyone related to the case, and she even tries to influence Anna. Julia soon discovers that in order for Anna to live in her family, the lawsuit cannot be brought up. She has to keep a low profile, because contrary to what Sara believes, Anna doesn't just want attention, she wants her own life back. Julia makes a good observation when she says, "Either this girl loses her sister, I think, or she's going to lose herself"(113). As for Campbell, it's because of what Julia says that moves him to make a housecall to Anna. It's because Julia suggests he should really get to know his client, that he actually gets out of his office and pays Anna a visit. "'The things is, this is new to me.' 'What is?' I gesture around the living room. 'Visiting a client, shooting the breeze. Not leaving a case at the office at the end of the day.' 'Well, this is new to me, too,' Anna confesses. 'What is?' She twists a strand of hair around her pinky. 'Hoping,' she says"(125). Through this simple and short conversation, Campbell is able to learn a lot about his client, something he hasn't thought of doing until Julia suggested it.

It's hard to tell what their future will be, but it's clear that their paths will most likely cross again. Like Campbell said, Providence is a small town. Times have changed and so have they. Personally, I hope everything works out for them. Even if it's been a long time, they clearly still have feelings for each other, and if feelings like that don't go away after that much time, there must be something deeper, something that's meant to be.