Chapter 87 Summary: Attending Rico's Funeral
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
A couple of days after school ends, Ari and Cassandra drive to Rico's funeral. They sit with Danny at the back of a small, simple church. Ari recalls his mother's belief that funerals are about resurrection, but he feels no such presence here—only the weight of Rico's body in its casket and the sound of his mother quiet sobbing. After the service, the three go to the Charcoaler. Danny eats without awareness, declaring he must have been hungry. Outside, they sit on a bench with the radio playing from Ari's truck. When “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” comes on, Cassandra calls it Danny's song, and they dance together in the parking lot. For a moment, Danny is genuinely happy. Ari reflects that the scene seems small and unimportant in the grand story of his life, but he realizes it held deep meaning for Cassandra, for Danny, and for himself.
Key Events
- Ari and Cassandra attend Rico's funeral; Danny sits with them.
- The service is simple and sad; Ari's mother's words on resurrection feel distant.
- After the funeral, the three go to the Charcoaler where Danny eats quickly without tasting.
- Outside, the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” plays on the truck radio.
- Cassandra and Danny dance in the parking lot, sharing a moment of happiness.
- Ari recognizes the importance of that ordinary scene for everyone involved.
Character Development
- Aristotle (Ari) Mendoza: Ari observes the gap between his mother's spiritual comfort and the raw grief he witnesses. Rather than dismiss the small dance as trivial, he acknowledges its significance. This moment deepens his understanding of friendship and shared sorrow.
- Danny: In the midst of mourning his brother Rico, Danny finds a fleeting escape through music and connection. His brief happiness shows that grief and joy can coexist.
- Cassandra: She initiates the dance, using music to comfort Danny and bring lightness into a heavy day. Her empathy strengthens the bond between the three friends.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Resurrection vs. Absence: Ari's mother says funerals celebrate resurrection, but the scene contradicts that – the quiet sobs and empty casket emphasize loss more than hope.
- The Power of Small Moments: Ari's closing reflection elevates an otherwise ordinary parking-lot dance into something meaningful. The chapter suggests that seemingly minor scenes can be anchor points for those who are grieving.
- Music as Connection: The song triggers a shared memory between Danny and Cassandra; dancing becomes a nonverbal way to offer solace.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a quiet but crucial step in Ari's emotional growth. He moves from detached observation of grief to recognizing his own role in the small community of mourners. It shows how friends can support each other without grand gestures – simply by being present and allowing moments of lightness. The chapter also reinforces a central motif of the novel: the search for meaning in everyday experiences.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ari contrast his mother's statement about resurrection with what he feels at the funeral?
Ari's mother offers a hopeful religious framework, but Ari's own perception focuses on the physical presence of death and the mother's audible grief. He feels that resurrection is absent, highlighting his struggle to reconcile the comfort of faith with the reality of loss.
2. How does the dance in the parking lot change the mood of the scene?
After the heaviness of the funeral and the distracted meal, the dance injects a moment of pure joy. Cassandra's initiation and Danny's participation create a shared experience that temporarily lifts spirits. Ari's reflection afterward cements this as a meaningful act of friendship.
3. What does Ari learn by the end of the chapter about the importance of small moments?
Ari initially dismisses the scene as just a quiet, unimportant part of his life story. But he corrects himself, realizing that the moment mattered deeply to Cassandra, to Danny, and to him. This insight shows his growing awareness that significance is often found in the ordinary.