Chapter summaries Rock Paper Scissors Alice Feeney

Chapter 13 Summary: Amelia

⚠️ 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

Chapter 13, told entirely from Amelia's point of view, opens with her immediate regret after throwing the paper crane into the fire. Adam retrieves the crane and slips it back into his wallet, but he does not respond to her apology. Amelia reflects on how she feels like one of the abandoned pets she sees at her veterinary practice, particularly recalling a malnourished German Shepherd named Lucky that was brought in that week. She draws a parallel between the dog's neglect and her own sense of being forgotten by Adam, who disappears into his writing and leaves her feeling invisible.

Adam accuses her of being perpetually angry, which she denies, but she then lists a series of grievances: they never talk, he never asks about her day or her work, and she feels more like a housemate than a wife. Overwhelmed, she cries, and Adam unexpectedly holds her and kisses her in a way reminiscent of their early relationship. Amelia contemplates wanting to escape her life, but the kiss makes her wonder if there is something worth staying for. Adam suggests they are both tired, and Amelia proposes an early night. He asks for another glass of wine first.

While fetching the bottle from the kitchen, she notices the chapel's stained-glass windows depict a series of colored faces rather than religious scenes. One of the faces moves, and she realizes it is a real person outside staring at her. She screams.

Key Events

  • Amelia throws the paper crane into the fire and immediately regrets it.

  • Adam retrieves the crane and returns it to his wallet without acknowledging her apology.

  • Amelia compares her feelings of neglect to the abandoned pets at her workplace, recalling the German Shepherd Lucky.

  • Adam accuses Amelia of being angry all the time; she denies it and lists her grievances about their one-sided relationship.

  • Amelia cries, and Adam unexpectedly embraces and kisses her.

  • Amelia considers wanting to escape her life but also considers staying.

  • Adam suggests they are both tired; Amelia proposes an early night, and he asks for more wine.

  • In the kitchen, Amelia notices the stained-glass windows show colored faces instead of religious scenes.

  • One of the faces moves, revealing a real person outside staring at her, and she screams.

Character Development

This chapter offers a deep dive into Amelia's emotional state. She is clearly unhappy and feels neglected, comparing herself to abandoned pets. Her guilt is palpable—she apologizes for throwing the crane even though she feels justified in her frustration. The kiss from Adam momentarily softens her, making her question her desire to escape. She is torn between wanting to leave and hoping that something can be salvaged.

Adam's behavior is also revealing. He accuses Amelia of being angry, but then shows unexpected tenderness by holding and kissing her. This contrast suggests either genuine remorse or a manipulative pattern, though the chapter leaves his motives ambiguous. His retrieval of the paper crane indicates he values it, perhaps as a symbol of their relationship, even as he fails to address Amelia's deeper complaints.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Feeling invisible: Amelia explicitly says she feels invisible in her marriage, a theme reinforced by her comparison to abandoned pets.

  • Abandonment and neglect: The German Shepherd Lucky serves as a powerful metaphor for Amelia's own sense of being left behind and mistreated.

  • Guilt: Amelia reflects on her tendency to feel guilty for doing what is best for herself, and she apologizes for her outburst even when she feels wronged.

  • Marital estrangement: The chapter highlights the emotional distance between Amelia and Adam, from their lack of communication to the rare physical intimacy.

  • The paper crane: A fragile, superstitious object that Adam keeps in his wallet; it symbolizes their relationship—something delicate that Amelia impulsively tries to destroy but Adam retrieves.

  • Stained-glass windows: The unusual depiction of colored faces instead of religious scenes suggests hidden truths and the idea that appearances can be deceiving. The moving face shatters the illusion of safety.

  • Voyeurism: The presence of a real person staring through the window introduces an unsettling external threat and a sense of being watched.

  • Desire to escape: Amelia's fantasy of checking out of her life like a hotel guest underscores her desperation and the fragility of her commitment.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the marital tension and reveals Amelia's inner turmoil, making her a more sympathetic and complex character. It also introduces a creepy voyeuristic element that raises the stakes and suggests an external threat. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger—Amelia's scream—which propels the reader into the next chapter and shifts the narrative from domestic drama to potential danger. The contrast between the momentary intimacy of the kiss and the shock of the face at the window highlights the unpredictability of the story and the precariousness of Amelia's situation.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does Amelia's comparison of herself to the abandoned pets reflect her emotional state?

Amelia feels neglected and forgotten by Adam, just like the pets left behind by their owners. The German Shepherd Lucky, with its history of abuse and neglect, mirrors her own sense of being mistreated and invisible in her marriage. The comparison underscores her feelings of worthlessness and her belief that she is not a priority in Adam's life.

  1. What is the significance of the paper crane in this chapter?

The paper crane is a symbol of their relationship—fragile, superstitious, and something Adam keeps in his wallet. Amelia's impulsive act of throwing it into the fire shows her frustration and desire to destroy what they have, while Adam's retrieval suggests he is not ready to let go. The crane also represents the superstition and hope that may be fading between them.

  1. How does the ending of the chapter create suspense?

The stained-glass windows, which initially seem unusual but harmless, reveal a real person staring at Amelia. This unexpected voyeuristic presence shatters the momentary intimacy and introduces a potential threat, leaving the reader with a cliffhanger. The scream and the unknown identity of the watcher create immediate tension and anticipation for the next chapter.

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