Chapter 28 (Chapter 26): The Séance Circle and a Death
⚠️ 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
Bela, Daddo, and Grandma attend a spiritual gathering at Lois Anthony’s home. Lois has invited six friends—Mary, Kyle, Duane, Ashley of the Moon, Maxine, and Adina—each bringing an object they consider a “spiritual telephone” (crystals, an old phone, a microphone, pen and paper). Lois explains they will attempt to contact Other Mommy and ask her to leave Bela alone. The group lights four candles symbolizing weakening the veil, peace, protection, and seriousness. They close their eyes and silently command Other Mommy to go. Kyle raises his old phone, gasps, then opens his eyes, hangs up, and walks toward Bela. He whispers that Other Mommy gave her a present, then blows out the candles. The doorbell rings; Mommy arrives crying and tells Daddo that Frank Doherty is dead, found in a closet. Grandma insists they need a specialist. Bela, shaken by Kyle’s words and the news, begins crying and repeating “maybe,” realizing Other Mommy may have harmed someone.
Key Events
- Lois Anthony hosts a spiritual circle with six friends to contact Other Mommy.
- Each participant holds a personal “spiritual telephone” meant to channel communication.
- Lois describes the four candles: red (weaken veil), cream (peace), purple (protection), black (seriousness).
- The group chants silently for Other Mommy to leave Bela alone.
- Kyle receives a response, whispers to Bela that Other Mommy gave her a present, then blows out the candles.
- Mommy (Ursula) arrives and announces Frank Doherty is dead, found in a closet.
- Grandma decides they need a specialist rather than Lois’s circle.
- Bela repeats “maybe” as she cries, suspecting Other Mommy caused the death.
Character Development
Bela experiences a pivotal shift. Earlier, she felt Other Mommy was a friend; now she fears the entity may have hurt someone. Her repeated “maybe” shows a loss of innocence and the beginning of true terror.
Daddo (Russ) remains protective but increasingly helpless, checking his phone and relying on Grandma’s decisions.
Grandma (Ruth) emerges as the most authoritative figure, demanding a specialist and pulling Bela away from the chaos.
Mommy (Ursula) arrives in emotional crisis, crying and frantic about Frank Doherty’s death, her earlier tension with Daddo unresolved.
Lois Anthony tries to lead but loses control; she is embarrassed by Kyle’s behavior and admits the group may not be equipped for this.
Kyle acts as a dark catalyst: he receives a message from Other Mommy and speaks directly to Bela before sabotaging the ceremony, suggesting the entity is aware and manipulative.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Veil – Lois’s concept of a veil between worlds is central. The candles are meant to thin this barrier, but the group’s fear and Kyle’s disruption imply dangerous consequences.
Spiritual Telephones – Each object represents human desire to contact the unknown. The old phone Kyle uses becomes a direct line to Other Mommy, emphasizing that communication with the supernatural is possible—and risky.
Light and Darkness – The fireplace is dark; candles provide fragile light. Kyle extinguishes the candles, plunging the group into literal and metaphorical darkness, symbolizing failed protection.
The Word “Maybe” – Bela’s repetition transforms from uncertainty to dreadful possibility, mirroring her growing belief that Other Mommy is malevolent.
The Closet – Frank Doherty is found in a closet, echoing Other Mommy’s original appearances in Bela’s closet, linking the death to the entity’s territory.
Why This Chapter Matters
This is a turning point where the supernatural threat becomes lethal. For the first time, a human death is directly connected to Other Mommy. Bela’s innocence shatters as she realizes the entity may have harmed someone else. The failure of Lois’s spiritual circle shows that amateur attempts to banish the entity are insufficient; a specialist is needed. Kyle’s whispered comment that Other Mommy gave Bela a present ties the death to a gift for Bela, deepening the mystery and horror. The chapter raises the stakes from psychological disturbance to mortal danger.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the significance of Kyle blowing out the candles?
Kyle extinguishing the candles symbolizes a rejection of Lois’s method and signals that Other Mommy has gained control. By acting on the whispered message, Kyle demonstrates that the entity can influence participants and disrupt protective rituals, suggesting the threat is more powerful than the group anticipated.
2. How does Bela’s understanding of Other Mommy change in this chapter?
Earlier, Bela saw Other Mommy as a comforting presence. After Kyle whispers about a “present” and Frank Doherty’s death is revealed, Bela begins to consider that Other Mommy may have hurt someone. Her repeated “maybe” reflects a painful transition from uncertainty to fear, marking the loss of her childhood trust in the entity.
3. Why does Grandma insist they need a specialist after the circle fails?
Grandma recognizes that Lois’s circle is amateur and vulnerable to interference, as seen in Kyle’s behavior. The death confirms the stakes are life-threatening. A specialist suggests the need for professional, experienced intervention, implying that the family can no longer handle the situation alone and must seek help beyond their personal network.