Chapter 38 Summary: Lore, 2017

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

You can return to the book hub at any time.

Summary

The chapter opens on Thanksgiving afternoon. Lore's family has just finished a large lunch and settles into the living room to watch Home Alone. Gabriel and Mateo are too old to have grown up with the film, but the children—Joseph and Michael—are delighted, and the adults laugh along as Kevin McCallister sets his traps. The family promises to take the boys to a striped Christmas tree tent on McPherson the next morning.

Lore is distracted. Earlier that day, she missed three calls from Cassie, the reporter who has been investigating the murder case that Lore and Fabian have kept hidden for years. Normally they speak only at six, so the missed calls unsettle her. When the phone rings, the caller ID reads “Unknown,” and Lore’s heart skips. It’s Fabian, calling from prison.

Lore puts him on speaker so he can greet everyone. Gabriel takes the phone and holds it near the boys, who are lying on the floor under their Blaze and the Monster Machines blankets. Joseph waves half-heartedly, still focused on the paused image of Marv in the doorway. Gabriel gently reminds him that Fabian can’t see him. The boys then eagerly tell Fabian about their Christmas tree plans, arguing over who will get to place the star on top. Fabian asks what they ate, and they recount the dishes. Lore feels a wave of sorrow imagining Fabian eating dry turkey from a plastic tray.

On the couch, Brenda scrolls through her phone, and Lore wants to slap it out of her hands. Mateo catches Lore’s eye and rolls his eyes toward Brenda, and Lore smiles, wishing he would meet someone nice.

After a few minutes, Lore takes the phone to her bedroom for privacy. The room is now painted Cranberry Cocktail, with a gold damask comforter. She asks Fabian directly whether Cassie has tried to schedule more interviews with him. He says yes, but he keeps refusing. Lore explains that Cassie keeps asking about “that night,” and she fears that if Fabian won’t talk, their efforts could be wasted. Fabian is quiet, knowing all calls are recorded. He reminds her they agreed. The line beeps—one minute left. Lore insists she knows, but says Cassie won’t stop digging. Fabian finally agrees to speak with Cassie, but warns, “Ten cuidado”—be careful. Lore feels irritation like a splinter in her skin. She knows what she is doing, and what she might have to do.

Key Events

The family watches Home Alone after Thanksgiving lunch and plans a trip to a Christmas tree tent.
Lore misses three calls from Cassie earlier in the day, which unsettles her.
Fabian calls from prison; Lore puts him on speaker so he can greet the family.
The boys excitedly tell Fabian about their Christmas tree plans and argue over the star.
Lore takes the phone to her bedroom for a private conversation.
She asks Fabian about Cassie’s interview requests; he has been refusing.
Lore explains that Cassie keeps asking about “that night” and that their efforts might be wasted if Fabian won’t talk.
Fabian agrees to speak with Cassie but warns Lore to be careful.
Lore feels irritated and determined, knowing she may have to do something drastic.

Character Development

Lore is the central figure here. Her internal conflict sharpens: she is torn between protecting her family and preserving the secret she and Fabian have guarded for years. Her irritation at Fabian’s warning reveals a stubbornness and a willingness to take risks. She believes she knows what she’s doing, and the final line hints that she is prepared to make a sacrifice or take an action she hasn’t yet revealed.

Fabian shows reluctant cooperation. He has been refusing Cassie’s interviews, but Lore’s pressure—and her fear that their efforts could be wasted—convinces him to agree. His warning “Ten cuidado” suggests he is worried about Lore’s safety or judgment, and it underscores the danger of their secret.

Gabriel acts as a bridge between Fabian and the children, holding the phone and guiding the boys’ interaction. He is patient and warm, but also aware of the awkwardness of a prison call during a family holiday.

Brenda is a minor but telling presence. Her phone-scrolling during the call shows a lack of engagement, which irritates Lore and highlights the tension in the family.

Mateo silently supports Lore with a shared eye roll, indicating his awareness of Brenda’s behavior and his loyalty to Lore.

Joseph and Michael embody innocence. They accept Fabian’s imprisonment as a simple fact, like a city where people are born and sometimes stay. Their excitement about the Christmas tree and the star contrasts with the weight of the secret Lore and Fabian carry.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family Secrets and Protective Sacrifice: The chapter revolves around the secret agreement between Lore and Fabian. Lore’s fear that Cassie’s digging could make their efforts “for nothing” reveals that they have been working toward some goal—likely protecting someone or something. Fabian’s willingness to speak with Cassie, despite his reluctance, is a sacrifice for Lore’s sake.

Fear of Exposure: Lore’s missed calls and her anxiety about Cassie’s persistence show how the threat of exposure looms over the family. The recorded nature of prison calls adds a layer of surveillance, making every word they say potentially incriminating.

Children’s Innocence: The boys’ joyful chatter about the Christmas tree and the star stands in stark contrast to the adult tension. Their innocence is a reminder of what Lore is trying to protect, and it makes her burden heavier.

Oak Branches Symbol: Lore looks out at the gnarled branches of the oaks, noting that sometimes branches separate only to come back together, with leaves indistinguishable from one another. This image mirrors the relationship between Lore and Fabian—separated by prison but still connected, their lives intertwined in ways that are hard to untangle.

Recorded Conversations as Motif: The reminder that all prison calls are recorded adds a sense of constant surveillance. Lore and Fabian must choose their words carefully, and the threat of being overheard heightens the tension of their secret.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 38 deepens the central mystery of the novel by showing the pressure that Cassie’s investigation places on Lore and Fabian. It reveals that they have a shared agreement—likely to protect someone—and that Lore is willing to push Fabian to cooperate with Cassie, even though it risks exposing the truth. The chapter also humanizes Fabian, showing him as a grandfather who tries to connect with his grandchildren despite being in prison. The contrast between the warm family holiday and the cold reality of the secret creates a powerful emotional tension. Lore’s final line, “And what I might have to do,” sets up a turning point, suggesting that she is about to take a drastic step to protect her family. This chapter is pivotal because it moves the plot forward: Fabian agrees to talk to Cassie, which will likely lead to new revelations in the investigation.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Lore push Fabian to agree to speak with Cassie, even though he has been refusing?

Lore is afraid that if Fabian won’t talk to Cassie, their efforts—likely to protect someone or to control the narrative—will be wasted. She believes that Cassie will keep digging regardless, and that cooperating might be the only way to steer the story. Her fear of exposure outweighs her caution, and she is willing to take the risk.

2. What does the oak branches image symbolize in this chapter?

The oak branches, which separate and then come back together with indistinguishable leaves, symbolize the relationship between Lore and Fabian. Despite being physically separated by prison, they remain deeply connected, their lives and secrets intertwined. The image also hints at the possibility of reconciliation or the difficulty of untangling their shared history.

3. How does the chapter contrast the children’s innocence with the adults’ burden?

The boys are excited about the Christmas tree and the star, and they accept Fabian’s imprisonment without question. Their innocence is a stark contrast to Lore’s anxiety and Fabian’s caution. The children’s joy highlights what Lore is trying to protect, making her secret and the potential consequences of exposure even more poignant.