Chapter 137: Like a Shark Smelling Blood – Hugh Summary and Analysis
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains details from Chapter 137 of Releasing 10. If you have not read this chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Hugh recalls how his grandfather took the blame for wine stains and kept Old Murphy quiet about the underage drinking on his birthday. That night, drunk, Hugh had touched his girlfriend Liz inappropriately while they were in his bed, though they remained in underwear. Since then, Liz has been aggressively pursuing more intimacy, comparing herself to a shark sensing Hugh’s weakening willpower.
On the first Saturday of Christmas break, they swim in the pool. Liz pulls down his shorts, they playfully wrestle, and Hugh lifts her on his shoulders. They kiss and whisper provocations. Liz admits she has dirty thoughts and reveals that doctors warned her that increased libido can be a sign of an incoming bipolar episode. She fears a repeat of “last summer.” Hugh reassures her that they are okay as they are and that “normal” doesn’t exist.
Key Events
- Hugh reflects on his grandfather covering for the birthday debacle and the wine stain.
- Eight days after his birthday, Hugh recalls waking up with Liz in his bed (both in underwear) and his panic.
- In the pool, Liz playfully pulls down Hugh’s swim trunks to his knees.
- Hugh lifts Liz on his shoulders; she flips them both, creating a tangled mess.
- They kiss and engage in erotic teasing, with Liz whispering sexual fantasies.
- Liz reveals that her doctors told her hypersexuality can signal an impending manic or depressive episode.
- Hugh asks what they bring up; Liz says it’s brought up at every appointment.
- Liz expresses fear of having another episode like “last summer” and a desire to be normal.
- Hugh reassures her that normal doesn’t exist and that he wants their relationship regardless.
Character Development
Hugh: Hugh’s internal conflict between his own desire and his protective instincts comes into focus. He is sexually attracted to Liz but also deeply concerned for her well-being. When Liz admits her fear, he immediately shifts from playful to compassionate, stroking her nose and kissing her cheeks. His determination to put on a brave face while his heart breaks shows his emotional maturity and commitment.
Liz: Liz is portrayed as both assertive and vulnerable. She initiates sexual play and openly admits her fantasies, but she also genuinely fears what her body’s urges might mean. Her confession that she wants to be normal reveals her insecurity about her bipolar diagnosis. She seeks reassurance from Hugh, trusting him enough to share a deeply personal medical warning.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Hypersexuality as a Bipolar Symptom: The chapter directly introduces the medical reality that increased libido can be a prodrome of a bipolar episode. This reframes Liz’s aggressive pursuit of intimacy as both natural teenage desire and a potential health signal.
- The Shark Metaphor: Hugh describes Liz as circling him “like a shark smelling blood,” and she later calls him a “half-mermaid.” The shark imagery suggests predatory pursuit, but also an instinctual, uncontrollable force – mirroring how mental illness can feel like a predator.
- The Pool Setting: Water, submersion, and resurfacing reflect emotional states. Playing in the pool allows physical closeness, but the underwater moments (diving, emerging) parallel the submerged fears that surface when Liz discloses her diagnosis.
- “Normal” vs. “Everything I Want”: Hugh’s insistence that normal doesn’t exist and that he wants “whatever this is” counters Liz’s desire for normalcy. Their relationship is built on acceptance rather than passing as ordinary.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the romantic relationship by adding a serious medical reality. It transitions the story from lighthearted teenage flirtation into a more mature exploration of how mental illness affects intimacy. Liz’s disclosure about the doctors’ warning raises the stakes for the remainder of the book: the reader now knows that a bipolar episode may be imminent. Hugh’s unconditional acceptance strengthens the emotional bond and sets up future conflict between his protective instincts and Liz’s potentially destabilising symptoms.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Hugh’s behavior in this chapter demonstrate his growth as a partner? Answer: Hugh shows restraint and emotional intelligence. Despite his strong physical arousal, he repeatedly asks Liz to stop (“You keep those sneaky little fingers away,” “You’re killing me here”). When she reveals her fear, he immediately shifts to comfort mode – stroking her nose, kissing her cheeks, and affirming that he wants her with “your mind and mine.” He does not prioritise his own gratification over her emotional safety.
2. Why does Liz bring up the doctors’ questions in the middle of a romantic scene? Answer: Liz is struggling to reconcile her sexual feelings with the medical warning. By confessing while they are already physically intimate, she tests whether Hugh will reject her if she is “abnormal.” She also hopes he can offer perspective – and his reaction confirms that he sees her as a whole person, not a diagnosis.
3. What does the exchange about “normal” reveal about both characters’ value systems? Answer: Liz longs for normalcy because she believes it would make her feel safe and accepted. Hugh, by contrast, rejects the concept of normal altogether, suggesting that real connection requires accepting imperfection. His line “And whatever this is … with your mind and mine, is everything I want” explicitly includes her mental condition as part of what makes their relationship valuable.
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