Chapter 25: But First… – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Still angry at his father for blaming him for the accident on Ridge Rim Road, Finn suspects the Dussendorf brothers are the real villains. On his way to check Frank and Joe's driveway, he detours to his father's downtown office. Standing on the sidewalk, he watches people pass through him and shiver. He hesitates to float up twenty-three floors, so he takes the elevator with a man who loudly passes gas. On the twenty-third floor, he navigates past serious-looking workers and finds his father's office door marked "McAllister." His dad is not inside. Finn notices statistics books, a family Christmas photo, and a framed picture of a group of soldiers in camouflage, including a younger version of his father. Surprised to learn his dad served in the army, Finn reflects that everyone has secrets.

Key Events

Finn decides to visit his father's office instead of going straight to Frank and Joe's driveway.
On the sidewalk, several people walk through him and react with shivers.
He enters the building, rides an elevator with a man who farts, and reaches the twenty-third floor.
He wanders through the office until he finds his father's door.
Inside the empty office, he examines two framed photos: a family Christmas card and a military group shot.
He realizes he never knew his father was in the army.

Character Development

Finn: His lingering anger toward his father shows that unresolved feelings persist after death. Choosing to approach his father's workplace demonstrates a mix of fear and curiosity. The discovery of his dad's unknown army service hints that Finn's understanding of his parents is incomplete, opening the door for deeper emotional growth.
Father (Mr. McAllister): Although not physically present, the army photo gives readers a glimpse of a life Finn never knew about. This suggests the father may have hidden burdens or experiences that shaped his personality, including his tendency to rely on statistics and caution.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrets and Hidden Pasts: The army photo is a clear symbol that every person carries untold stories. Finn's surprise mirrors the reader's realization that even close family members can have unknown dimensions.
Ghostly Limitations: Finn cannot float with his eyes closed; he must use the elevator. The physical world still imposes rules, and living people react to his ghostly presence by shivering or sneezing, reinforcing his separation from the living.
But Firsts: This chapter is explicitly labeled as one of Finn's "but firsts"—delays before his final tasks. It emphasizes the theme of unfinished business and the human tendency to procrastinate, even in death.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 25 deepens the mystery around Finn's accident and his relationship with his father. The revelation that Mr. McAllister served in the army humanizes a character who otherwise seems overly rigid and critical. It also sets up potential future reconciliation or confrontation between Finn and his dad. The chapter shifts the focus from blaming external villains (the Dussendorf brothers) to understanding the internal dynamics of Finn's family.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Finn decide to visit his father's office instead of going directly to Frank and Joe's driveway?
Finn is still angry at his dad for blaming him for the accident. He also suspects the Dussendorf brothers are the real villains, so on the way to investigate their driveway, he takes a detour to his father's workplace. The visit is an attempt to either confront or understand his father's perspective.
What does Finn discover in his father's office that surprises him?
He finds a framed photograph of a group of soldiers in desert camouflage, with a younger version of his father among them. Finn did not know his dad had served in the army, and he realizes that his father's past contains secrets he never shared.
How does the elevator scene contribute to the chapter's mood and themes?
The elevator ride is awkward and humorous: a man farts loudly, and Finn wishes he had no sense of smell. This moment contrasts with the serious discovery later in the office. It also shows Finn's discomfort as a ghost navigating mundane human interactions, highlighting his isolation and the embarrassing gaps between life and death.