Chapter 67 Summary, Key Moments, and 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
At five o'clock, Mom picks up Knox, Bowen, and Lea from school. She immediately rejects the idea of going to the hospital to ask for a hazmat suit, explaining that she just heard on the radio about the first U.S. death from COVID-19 in Washington State. The news shocks Knox, who instinctively pours rubbing alcohol over their hands until Bowen tells them to stop wasting it.
Knox then asks whether Mom still plans to fly to New York for her job interviews, suggesting she could find work in San Francisco instead. Mom responds that she needs the income to support the family, calling herself a lioness about to step into a dangerous safari. She insists she'll be fine with her hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Bowen produces a few N95 masks they had saved, surprising Mom with where they came from.
Knox makes Mom promise not to touch anything, repeating the words Mom once said to them. Mom assures them that New York City is perfectly safe, but Knox feels the weight of the word trust—the same word that led them to leave Dad across the ocean. As tears pool in Knox's eyes, Mom pulls the car over.
Mom then reveals the real version of her past few weeks: she has sent her résumé everywhere, contacted college acquaintances, and begged for job leads, but no one will hire her. Her voice breaks as she admits she's done everything she humanly can. Lea reaches out to comfort Mom, and after a moment, agrees that Mom can go to New York as long as she's careful. Knox quietly adds, “You're all we've got.” Mom wipes a tear, squeezes their hands, and starts the car again.
Key Events
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Mom picks up the children at five and refuses to go to the hospital for a hazmat suit after hearing about the first U.S. COVID death.
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Knox pours rubbing alcohol on their hands until Bowen stops them.
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Knox asks if Mom still plans to fly to New York; Mom says she needs the income.
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Bowen reveals saved N95 masks.
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Knox makes Mom promise not to touch anything.
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Mom pulls over and confesses her job search has failed despite her efforts.
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Lea comforts Mom and gives permission for the trip with caution.
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Knox tells Mom she is all they have, and Mom wipes a tear before driving on.
Character Development
Mom shows a rare moment of vulnerability. Throughout the book, she has been the strong, protective parent, but here she breaks down, admitting that her job search has failed and that she feels unwanted. Her willingness to risk flying to New York despite the pandemic underscores her desperation to provide for her family. The chapter reveals her internal conflict between safety and survival.
Knox grapples with fear and trust. They are terrified of losing Mom, and their reaction—pouring alcohol, making her promise not to touch anything—shows how the pandemic has heightened their anxiety. Yet they also cling to Mom's hand, symbolizing their need for her presence. Their quiet statement, “You're all we've got,” reveals their deep dependence on her.
Lea steps into a mature role. She reaches out to comfort Mom, and her decision to allow the trip—while adding “be careful”—shows her growing understanding of the family's financial needs. She balances empathy with practicality.
Bowen remains practical and resourceful. He stops Knox from wasting rubbing alcohol and produces the N95 masks, demonstrating his awareness of scarcity and his ability to act calmly in a crisis.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Parental sacrifice is central. Mom is willing to risk her health for the family's financial stability, calling herself a lioness. Her confession about begging for job leads highlights the lengths she will go to.
Economic hardship is evident in Mom's job search and her insistence that she needs the income. The chapter shows how the pandemic exacerbates financial insecurity.
Fear of infection is symbolized by the rubbing alcohol, the N95 masks, and the promise not to touch anything. The first U.S. death raises the stakes, making the threat tangible.
Trust is a recurring motif. Knox reflects on the word trust that brought them to America, and now they must decide whether to trust Mom's assurance that New York is safe. The chapter complicates trust by showing that even Mom's promises can't guarantee safety.
Family unity emerges as the children rally around Mom. Lea's comfort, Bowen's practical help, and Knox's emotional plea all show the family pulling together in crisis.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the novel's emotional arc. It strips away Mom's usual cheerfulness and reveals the harsh reality of the family's financial situation. The confession on the side of the road humanizes Mom and deepens the reader's understanding of her sacrifices. It also tests the children's trust in her judgment, forcing them to confront the possibility of losing her. The chapter sets up the impending trip to New York, which will likely carry significant risk and emotional weight in subsequent chapters. By showing the family's vulnerability and their collective decision to support Mom, the chapter reinforces the theme of unity in the face of adversity.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mom reject the idea of going to the hospital for a hazmat suit?
Mom rejects the idea because she has just heard about the first U.S. death from COVID-19 in Washington State. She is afraid of being near the emergency room, which she considers a high-risk area. Her immediate refusal shows her heightened awareness of the pandemic's danger.
2. What does Mom reveal about her job search, and how does it affect the children?
Mom reveals that she has sent her résumé everywhere, contacted college acquaintances, and begged for job leads, but no one will hire her. This confession makes her vulnerable and causes the children to see her in a new light. Lea comforts her, Knox clings to her, and they ultimately agree to let her go to New York, showing their empathy and understanding of her need to work.
3. How does the word “trust” function in this chapter?
Knox reflects that “trust me” were the words that led them to leave Dad and come to America. In this chapter, Mom says “trust me” again about New York being safe, but Knox is now more skeptical because of the pandemic. The word carries emotional weight, linking past decisions to present fears, and highlights the tension between faith in a parent and the reality of danger.