Chapter 73 – International Mary Catherine Day
Spoiler Warning: This summary reveals key events from Chapter 73 of Crosshairs. Proceed only if you've read the chapter.
Summary (Complete and Chronological)
Detective Michael Bennett trudges home well after dark, worn out from a day packed with back-to-back interviews. He skipped meals and normally checks in, but his focus was elsewhere. The moment he steps inside, something feels off—the apartment is too quiet, and nobody rushes to the door, an oddity in a household with ten children. Moving through the dining room into the living room, he discovers Mary Catherine reclining on the couch, bolstered by pillows and with her feet up. Every child is present, arranged around her, wearing broad grins.
Chrissy steps forward and announces that the kids have declared “International Mary Catherine Day” to show their love and celebrate the couple’s decision to try for a baby. The gesture brings a tear to Mary Catherine’s eye. Ricky and Jane act as servers while Chrissy and Shawna prepare dinner. Bridget and Fiona guide Bennett to the couch, propping him up with a chair for his feet. The meal is revealed with dramatic flair: hot dogs on buns with mustard, potato chips, and a pickle—Chrissy calls it a vegetable. When Bennett guesses Nathan’s hot dogs, Chrissy initially looks crestfallen but brightens when he says he loves Ball Park franks just as much.
After dinner, the family watches The Princess Bride, chosen through an elaborate democratic voting process that Trent describes as “a really long democratic process.” The evening delivers exactly what Bennett needs, pulling him out of his head and reminding him that family is the most important thing in life.
Key Events
- Michael Bennett arrives at his Upper West Side apartment after a grueling day of interviews, acutely aware he failed to check in or eat.
- He notices an unusual quiet and lacking the customary greeting at the door.
- In the living room, he discovers Mary Catherine on a pillowed couch with all ten children surrounding her, grinning.
- Chrissy announces the family has created “International Mary Catherine Day” to express their love and happiness about trying for a baby.
- Mary Catherine is moved to tears by the gesture.
- Ricky, Jane, Chrissy, and Shawna take on designated roles: servers and cooks.
- Bridget and Fiona make Bennett comfortable on the couch alongside Mary Catherine.
- Dinner is served: Ball Park all-beef hot dogs, chips, and a pickle.
- Bennett’s guess of Nathan’s franks prompts a brief comic disappointment but he reassures Chrissy he loves Ball Park.
- Jane explains the pickle counts as the vegetable.
- The family watches The Princess Bride, selected by a multi-round vote among the kids.
- Bennett reflects that the simple, loving evening helped him escape his obsessive thoughts and focus on his family.
Character Development
- Michael Bennett: The chapter reveals a weary, distracted side of the detective—a man so consumed by his case that he loses touch with daily life. The surprise at home jolts him from that narrow focus. His reaction is immediate warmth and gratitude; the experience recenters him on what truly matters, reinforcing his identity as a father and partner rather than just an investigator.
- Mary Catherine: Although she speaks little, her silent tear and beaming expression convey deep emotion. She remains at the center of the family’s affection, reminding readers why she has become the heart of this household. Her pregnancy attempt adds a layer of hope and future-oriented vulnerability.
- The Bennett children (Chrissy, Ricky, Jane, Shawna, Bridget, Fiona, Trent, and others): They demonstrate maturity and organizational skill by planning the entire evening themselves. Chrissy’s crestfallen look over the hot dog brand shows a child’s earnest desire to please, while the democratic movie selection illustrates their commitment to fairness. Their collective initiative underscores how the family acts as a unit, not just a collection of individuals.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Family as Sanctuary: The apartment transforms into a refuge from the pressures of the outside world. The laughter, simple food, and togetherness serve as a counterbalance to Bennett’s stressful day, emphasizing that home is where he can truly recharge.
- Small Joys as Antidote to Stress: Hot dogs, chips, a pickle, and a beloved film are humble elements that together yield profound comfort. Patterson suggests that big emotional lifts often come from ordinary moments when they are shared with loved ones.
- The Princess Bride as Unifying Symbol: The movie’s selection through a “really long democratic process” symbolizes the family’s collaborative spirit. The film itself, with its blend of adventure, humor, and romance, mirrors the Bennett household: chaotic, warm, and full of love. It serves as a communal experience that bonds them.
- Celebration of New Beginnings: International Mary Catherine Day ties directly to the couple’s attempt to have a baby. The event marks not just appreciation for Mary Catherine but the family’s collective excitement about growth and the future.
Why This Chapter Matters
After chapters that likely focus on the intensity of Bennett’s investigations, this chapter provides an essential emotional respite. It deepens the reader’s investment in the personal stakes: Bennett isn’t just solving a crime—he has a vibrant, loving family worth protecting. The decision to try for a baby raises the stakes further, hinting at a future that could be jeopardized by his dangerous work. This domestic interlude also showcases Bennett’s character outside the cop persona, making him more relatable and reminding us that even the toughest detectives need a place where they can just be a dad. The chapter’s warmth foreshadows that any threat to this sanctuary will hit harder in later chapters.
Study Questions and Answers
Q1: Why might the Bennett children be so eager to celebrate Mary Catherine and the decision to have a baby? A1: Mary Catherine has been their nanny and is now a maternal figure. They’ve watched her relationship with their father deepen, and they likely see a new baby as solidifying their bond. The celebration is their way of showing gratitude and welcoming the idea of expanding the family, demonstrating a maturity beyond their years and a shared investment in the household’s future.
Q2: How does the democratic process for choosing the movie reflect the Bennett family’s values? A2: The method—each child listing five movies, then whittling down through multiple votes—mirrors the way the family operates: every voice matters. It emphasizes fairness, patience, and the importance of consensus over speed. Despite Trent’s complaint about the length, the process ends with a choice everyone can enjoy, illustrating that the family’s unity is built on respecting each member.
Q3: Why is Bennett’s reaction to the evening significant for his character arc? A3: Bennett spends his days solving high-stakes crimes that consume his mental energy. When he walks in the door exhausted and distracted, the surprise forces him to disconnect from the case. His realization that the evening “got me out of my head” shows he recognizes that his greatest source of strength isn’t his detective skills but his family. This moment grounds him, reminding readers that his motivation is ultimately tied to keeping this world safe, and it foreshadows that his family will be a critical emotional anchor in the story’s darker moments.