Later Chapter 35: Jamie's Plan Begins

⚠️ 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

Three weeks after the trip to Uncle Harry, in July 2013, Jamie and his mother Tia are at breakfast before her workday. She receives a phone call from her boss, Marty Burkett, who has strained his hip during a late-night trip to the bathroom. Tia is concerned but cannot leave her schedule, so she asks Jamie to deliver a casserole to Mr. Burkett. Jamie initially processes the request absently while eating cereal, but then a striking idea hits him: he had never considered Mr. Burkett before. He agrees to take the casserole, surprising his mother with his eagerness. She offers cab fare, but Jamie insists on walking the distance to Park Avenue, saying he needs the exercise. Privately, he needs time to evaluate his idea and figure out how to tell his story. The chapter ends with Jamie starting his walk, his mind churning.

Key Events

Tia Conroy receives a call from her boss, Marty Burkett, about his strained hip.
Jamie agrees to deliver a casserole to Mr. Burkett, surprising his mother.
Jamie declines cab fare and decides to walk to Park Avenue.
During the walk, Jamie plans how to approach Mr. Burkett with his idea.

Character Development

Jamie Conroy: This chapter marks a turning point. Jamie moves from passive obedience to active planning. His sudden insight about Mr. Burkett shows growing maturity and a willingness to use his ability for a specific purpose. He takes control, choosing to walk alone to think, which contrasts with his earlier hesitation about telling his mother everything.
Tia Conroy: She remains protective and busy, but her trust in Jamie is evident when she asks him to run an errand alone. Her surprise at his enthusiasm hints that she senses something unusual but does not probe further.
Marty Burkett: Though not present, his accident serves as the catalyst for Jamie’s plan. He is portrayed as a prideful older man who downplays his injury, adding a layer of vulnerability.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fate Taking a Hand: Jamie explicitly notes that fate intervened just as he was about to confess to his mother. This reinforces the novel’s motif of external forces shaping events.
Secrets and Confession: Jamie’s internal struggle between hiding his ability and sharing it continues. The chapter positions Mr. Burkett as a possible safe confidant, symbolizing a middle ground between secrecy and full disclosure.
Responsibility and Growing Up: Jamie takes on an adult errand without complaint and uses the time for serious reflection. The walk itself becomes a metaphor for his journey toward autonomy.

Why This Chapter Matters

This short chapter is a pivot point. Jamie’s idea about Mr. Burkett sets the stage for the next phase of the story, moving from reactive survival to proactive engagement. It also deepens Jamie’s character, showing his capacity for strategic thinking. The chapter underscores that Jamie cannot keep his ability bottled up forever; he seeks an outlet that does not involve frightening his mother. By choosing Mr. Burkett, Jamie aligns himself with an authority figure outside his family, potentially expanding the narrative into new territory.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Jamie suddenly agree to deliver the casserole so readily?
Jamie immediately sees Mr. Burkett as a possible person to confide in about his ability. The request triggers an idea he had not considered before—that an adult outside his mother might understand or help him. He needs time alone to shape his plan, so he jumps at the errand.
What does Jamie’s refusal of cab fare reveal about his state of mind?
Jamie does not actually need more exercise; he needs solitude to think. By walking, he buys himself time to decide whether his idea is sound and how to present his story to Mr. Burkett. It shows he is deliberative and self-aware.
How does the chapter use the theme of “fate”?
Jamie says “fate took a hand” right when he was about to confess to his mother. The coincidence of Mr. Burkett’s injury provides an alternative path. This suggests that Jamie’s choices are often steered by chance events, a recurring idea in the novel.