Chapter 86: Rapids — Summary 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
The chapter opens with Reha receiving a phone call from her father, who says he will be late. Rather than eat alone, she accepts an invitation to stay for dinner at Pete's house. A pang of guilt hits her because Amma remains asleep in the ICU, but she goes anyway.
Pete's mother, Mrs. Brown, has prepared a large meal: salad with homemade croutons, spaghetti with a spicy red sauce, meatballs on the side, and parmesan cheese served from a dish rather than the green container Reha is used to at school. The four of them—Reha, Pete, his younger sister Penelope, and Mrs. Brown—sit down together and talk easily at first.
Reha notices an empty chair at the table and asks if Mr. Brown is also stuck at work. The question makes everyone stiffen. Mrs. Brown explains that he no longer lives with them. Reha apologizes, and Mrs. Brown reassures her with a smile, saying it's still something they're getting used to. The easy conversation evaporates, and the meal continues in a strained silence.
After dinner, Pete and Reha go down to the basement to listen to music on a boom box. Pete opens up about his father. He says his father left for good just a month ago and now lives in an apartment downtown. Reha apologizes again, but Pete's jaw tightens. He says it's better this way, though his voice cracks. He tells her he has to spend every other weekend with his father, and that his father has split the family apart, and they'll never be the same again.
Pete then reveals something he's never shared: he hasn't cried in years, and the reason is that his father doesn't like crying. His eyes are wet as he says this. He reaches for Reha's hand, and she takes it. She notices that her arm doesn't tingle—it doesn't feel strange at all. In that moment, she realizes that she and Pete are friends who are both living two lives, both rushing over rapids in separate boats.
Key Events
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Reha's father calls to say he'll be late, so she stays for dinner at Pete's house.
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The Brown family shares a large meal, but Reha's question about the empty chair reveals that Mr. Brown no longer lives with them.
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The conversation becomes strained after the revelation.
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In the basement, Pete tells Reha that his father moved out a month ago and that he visits every other weekend.
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Pete admits he hasn't cried in years because his father dislikes crying.
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Pete reaches for Reha's hand, and she takes it without hesitation.
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Reha reflects that they are friends living two lives, rushing over rapids in separate boats.
Character Development
Reha shows empathy and sensitivity throughout the chapter. She apologizes twice—once for asking about Mr. Brown and again when Pete shares his pain. Her willingness to take Pete's hand, even though she doesn't feel a romantic tingle, demonstrates that she values their friendship as a source of comfort. Her realization that they are both living two lives shows growing self-awareness and emotional maturity.
Pete reveals a vulnerable side that contrasts with his earlier calm demeanor (as when he walked to the teacher after bleeding). He admits that he suppresses his tears because his father disapproves of crying. His voice cracks, and his eyes are wet, showing that he is not as emotionally detached as he pretends to be. By reaching for Reha's hand, he takes a step toward trusting someone with his pain.
Mrs. Brown handles Reha's question with grace, smiling reassuringly and acknowledging that the family is still adjusting. Her response shows resilience and a desire to keep things normal for her children.
Mr. Brown is absent but his influence looms large. His departure has created an empty chair, a strained household, and a son who has learned to hide his tears.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Family Separation and Aftermath – The empty chair at the dinner table is a powerful symbol of loss and absence. It represents not only Mr. Brown's physical departure but also the emotional void he left behind. The strained conversation that follows shows how the family is still navigating the aftermath of the separation.
Emotional Suppression – Pete's admission that he hasn't cried in years because his father dislikes crying highlights the theme of emotional suppression. He has learned to hide his feelings to meet his father's expectations, even at the cost of his own emotional health.
Friendship as Solace – Reha and Pete find comfort in each other. Their hand-holding is a gesture of mutual support, not romance. Reha notes that it doesn't feel strange, suggesting that their friendship provides a safe space for vulnerability.
Living Two Lives – Reha reflects that both she and Pete are living two lives. For Reha, this likely refers to her life at school versus her life at home with Amma's illness. For Pete, it's the life he presents to the world versus the pain he hides. The metaphor of rushing over rapids in separate boats captures the sense of being carried by forces beyond their control, yet still navigating their own paths.
The Rapids Metaphor – The chapter title and closing image use rapids to convey the turbulent, uncontrollable nature of their lives. Each is in a separate boat, but they are both on the same river, facing similar currents. This shared experience creates a bond between them.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the friendship between Reha and Pete, moving it from casual acquaintance to a meaningful connection based on shared emotional pain. It also parallels Reha's own family struggles: her father is often late, her mother is in the ICU, and she too feels like she's living two lives. By seeing Pete's vulnerability, Reha recognizes that she is not alone in her turmoil.
The chapter also develops the theme of emotional suppression, showing how parental expectations can shape a child's ability to express feelings. Pete's revelation about not crying is a turning point, as he allows himself to be vulnerable with Reha. This moment of connection may give Reha the courage to face her own emotions as she continues to deal with Amma's condition.
Finally, the rapids metaphor reinforces the novel's exploration of identity and belonging. Reha and Pete are both navigating difficult circumstances, but their friendship offers a lifeline—a reminder that even in separate boats, they can reach out and hold on to each other.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the empty chair symbolize the Brown family's loss?
The empty chair at the dinner table represents Mr. Brown's absence. When Reha asks about it, the family's reaction shows that his departure is still a painful, unresolved issue. The chair is a physical reminder of the family member who is no longer there, and its emptiness mirrors the emotional gap in their lives.
2. Why does Pete say he hasn't cried in years?
Pete explains that his father doesn't like crying, so he has learned to suppress his tears. This reveals that Pete has been conditioned to hide his emotions to avoid disappointing his father. His eyes are wet as he says this, showing that the suppression is not natural but a learned behavior that causes him pain.
3. What does Reha mean by “living two lives,” and how does it relate to the rapids metaphor?
Reha realizes that she and Pete are both living two lives—likely referring to the contrast between their public personas and their private struggles. For Reha, this might mean her school life versus her home life with Amma's illness. For Pete, it's the calm exterior he presents versus the turmoil of his parents' separation. The rapids metaphor suggests that both are being swept along by powerful, uncontrollable forces, but they are still in their own boats, trying to stay afloat. Their friendship offers a way to navigate these rapids together, even if they are not in the same boat.