Chapter Thirty-four Summary: Brynn's Perspective

⚠️ 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

Monday at lunch, Brynn places a cardboard box between Mason and Nadia. Inside is a fifth-grade diorama she made for Mr. Hassan's class, recreating a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with the people she would most like to go on an adventure with—Mason and Nadia. Mason is amused by his mini-figure, and Nadia laughs at the fact that Brynn kept it. Brynn explains she dug it out after returning from New Hampshire, wanting to use her restless energy for something positive.

She then pulls out two containers of chocolate-chip cookies—one gluten-free for Nadia—and offers them as an apology. She admits she was not honest about her internship, which she has now quit, and asks for their forgiveness. Mason hugs her, accidentally detaching his mini-figure, and asks to keep it. Nadia reveals they stopped being mad a week ago, but they still accept the cookies. Brynn asks if they can all go to the Winter Dance together, and Nadia says they were always going to. When Nadia asks why Brynn quit the internship, Brynn deflects, saying it is a long story she cannot fully explain because of a promise to Tripp. She then mentions she has a date for the dance, and Mason guesses it has to do with Tripp Talbot resurfacing at Saint Ambrose. Brynn confirms she tracked him down.

Two days later, Brynn is on her bed organizing notes on the Mr. Larkin case. She feels calmer than she did after meeting someone she calls maybe-Dexter, though she has not called the pawnshop to confirm. Ellie enters and announces that their mother will be a chaperone at the dance. Brynn is surprised but sees it as a possible sign that her mother is thawing toward her. Ellie is less enthusiastic, calling it awkward. Brynn then shows Ellie a picture of eighteen-year-old Lila Robbins and asks if she resembles Ms. Delgado. Ellie says she looks like a lot of people, with one of those faces, and could be Ms. Delgado, but she has not seen her in a while. Ellie asks if Brynn has told Carly about all this, but Brynn says no, because she was never supposed to see the Union Leader article. She also explains that Tripp is not ready to talk about his father taking the money, and that without that conversation, he cannot talk about what Shane and Charlotte might have done to Mr. Larkin before he arrived. Brynn tells Ellie she explained the whole story to her with Tripp's permission, framing it as practice: another person knows the truth, and the world does not end. Ellie has been helping her brainstorm.

Ellie then asks if it would be helpful to know who has been vandalizing Mr. Larkin's picture. Brynn says yes, but notes that Ms. Kelso has given up and is not even putting up committee posters anymore. Ellie's eyes glint in a way Brynn does not like, but before she can ask, Ellie springs up and asks for crosses or rosaries for an eighties Madonna theme at the dance. Brynn says she does not have any, and Ellie settles for chunky jewelry. Brynn returns to Lila Robbins's senior class picture, reopening it repeatedly, hoping to be certain that she is Shane's mother. She is more positive than ever that she knows the face, but she still cannot say how.

Key Events

Brynn presents a fifth-grade diorama to Mason and Nadia as part of an apology.
She admits she quit her internship and asks for forgiveness; they accept and confirm they will all attend the Winter Dance together.
Brynn reveals she has a date for the dance and that she tracked down Tripp Talbot.
Two days later, Ellie tells Brynn their mother will chaperone the dance.
Brynn asks Ellie if Lila Robbins's photo resembles Ms. Delgado; Ellie says she looks like many people.
Brynn explains that Tripp is not ready to discuss his father taking money, and that she told Ellie the full story with Tripp's permission.
Ellie hints she knows who has been vandalizing Mr. Larkin's picture, but Brynn says Ms. Kelso has given up.
Ellie asks for crosses or rosaries for an eighties Madonna theme; Brynn continues studying Lila Robbins's picture, hoping to confirm she is Shane's mother.

Character Development

Brynn shows significant personal growth in this chapter. She takes concrete steps to repair her friendships, offering a tangible apology in the form of the diorama and cookies. She also admits to quitting her internship, a decision that signals she is prioritizing honesty over the pretense of a prestigious position. Her willingness to explain the full story to Ellie—with Tripp's permission—demonstrates a new commitment to truth-telling, even when it is complicated. At the same time, she remains cautious, deflecting Nadia's question about the internship and still uncertain about Lila Robbins's identity. Her repeated reopening of the photo reveals her obsessive need for certainty, but also her growing awareness that some answers may not come easily.

Ellie emerges as a supportive confidante. She listens to Brynn's complicated explanation without judgment and has been helping brainstorm. Her glint when mentioning the vandalism suggests she may know more than she is letting on, adding a layer of mystery to her character. Her casual request for Madonna-themed accessories contrasts with the serious conversation, showing her ability to shift between light and heavy topics.

Mason and Nadia demonstrate the resilience of their friendship. They reveal they had already forgiven Brynn, but they accept her apology and the cookies, showing that they value her effort. Mason's playful retention of his mini-figure underscores the nostalgia and warmth of their bond.

Tripp is not physically present but is central to the chapter. Brynn's promise to him and her careful handling of his story show that he is still struggling with the truth about his father. His willingness to let Brynn share the story with Ellie suggests a tentative step toward openness.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Apology and Reconciliation: The diorama and cookies are tangible symbols of Brynn's desire to make amends. The diorama, in particular, represents a return to childhood innocence and the friendships that have endured despite her mistakes.
Truth-Telling and Its Limits: Brynn is more honest with her friends, but she still withholds the full story about the internship and Tripp's father. The chapter explores the tension between wanting to be transparent and protecting others' secrets.
The Tangled Web of Secrets: Ellie's phrase "a tangled web" captures the interconnected lies and half-truths surrounding Mr. Larkin's death, Tripp's father, and Lila Robbins's identity. Brynn's investigation is complicated by the fact that each revelation seems to lead to another hidden layer.
Uncertainty of Identity: Brynn's fixation on Lila Robbins's photo highlights the theme of uncertain identity. She cannot confirm whether Lila is Shane's mother or whether she resembles Ms. Delgado, leaving her in a state of doubt.
Childhood Memories: The diorama serves as a nostalgic artifact, reminding Brynn of a simpler time before the current mysteries and betrayals. It also reinforces the idea that her core friendships are rooted in shared history.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Brynn's personal arc. She actively works to repair her relationships, showing that she is no longer the person who let her internship and secrets drive a wedge between her and her friends. The reconciliation with Mason and Nadia clears emotional space for her to focus on the larger mystery. At the same time, the chapter advances the investigation: Ellie's cryptic comment about the vandalism introduces a new potential lead, and Brynn's continued study of Lila Robbins's photo keeps the question of Shane's mother alive. The chapter also deepens the theme of truth-telling by showing Brynn sharing the full story with Ellie, a risky move that could have consequences. Finally, the mention of the mother chaperoning the dance hints at a possible thaw in family tensions, setting up potential interactions at the Winter Dance.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Brynn choose the diorama and cookies as her apology, and what does this choice reveal about her character?

Brynn chooses the diorama because it is a tangible reminder of her long-standing friendship with Mason and Nadia, dating back to fifth grade. It shows that she values their shared history and wants to reconnect with that simpler time. The cookies, with one gluten-free for Nadia, demonstrate that she pays attention to their preferences. This choice reveals that Brynn is willing to put effort into repairing her relationships, and that she understands the importance of concrete gestures over empty words.

2. What does Ellie's question about the vandalism suggest, and why does Brynn not pursue it immediately?

Ellie's question—"Would it be helpful to know who's been vandalizing Mr. Larkin's picture?"—suggests that she may have information or a suspicion about the culprit. Her glinting eyes imply she knows more than she is saying. Brynn does not pursue it immediately because she is distracted by her focus on Lila Robbins's photo and because Ms. Kelso has given up on the investigation. Brynn's dismissal may also reflect her tendency to prioritize the larger mystery over smaller acts of vandalism, even though the vandalism could be connected to the case.

3. How does Brynn's decision to tell Ellie the full story, with Tripp's permission, reflect her growth?

Brynn's decision shows that she is learning to balance honesty with loyalty. She recognizes that keeping secrets has damaged her relationships, and she is willing to share the truth with someone she trusts, even though it is risky. By framing it as "practice" for Tripp, she also shows empathy for his situation, understanding that revealing a secret can be a gradual process. This marks a shift from her earlier behavior, where she kept the internship and other details hidden, to a more open and considerate approach.