Chapter summaries Same As It Ever Was Claire Lombardo

Chapter 9 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

Chapter 9 opens with Julia reflecting on the past two years, during which her daughter Alma applied to seventeen colleges—a process Julia privately considers an absurd "rat race" full of tutors, counselors, and precocious students. Julia admires Alma for simply working hard rather than cultivating eccentric hobbies or seeking media attention, but she also prays that things will work out for her daughter. Now that the applications are submitted, Alma's anxiety has become visible: picked-over cuticles, dark circles under her eyes, and uneaten toast at breakfast. Alma has also become irritable, pacing like a panther and snapping at family members. She announces that a classmate, Larson, received early acceptance to Duke, delivered gravely as if it were news of war.

To pass the time, Julia and Alma watch Gold Beach, a drama about wealthy, troubled residents of an Oregon coast town. The show features high schoolers in romantic entanglements and physical peril. During one episode, Alma teases Julia for being "weird about sex" after Julia makes a prim comment about a thin actress. Julia denies it, but the question triggers a long internal reflection. She recalls her efforts to talk to Alma about sex since she was eleven, including buying a graphic nonfiction book with a chapter on masturbation, answering sixth-grade questions about herpes and virginity, and trying to be available without being intrusive. Julia contrasts this with her own mother, Anita, who never spoke to her about sex but whose boyfriends made it a constant background presence.

As a commercial plays, Julia asks Alma about her girlfriend, Margo Singh. Alma initially deflects but then admits they've been fighting about where they'll attend college next year. Julia says fighting can be part of a relationship, but Alma observes that her parents never really fight—they only argue about trivial things like whether Boz Skaggs is white or the dog's birthday. Julia insists they do fight, but she doesn't elaborate, thinking about the "merry silk scarves" she gave Mark as a birthday gift and a time Alma walked in on them having sex when she was a toddler. Julia reassures Alma that she's there to talk about anything, and Alma responds with a confident "Sure, Mom." Julia brushes Alma's damp hair back from her shoulder, savoring the moment of closeness.

Key Events

  • Alma's seventeen college applications are submitted, and she begins showing signs of anxiety: picked cuticles, dark circles, uneaten toast, and irritability.
  • Alma reports that a classmate received early acceptance to Duke, heightening the tension.
  • Julia and Alma watch Gold Beach together, sharing brownies and a rare moment of ease.
  • Alma asks why Julia is uncomfortable discussing sex, prompting Julia to recall her past attempts to address the topic.
  • Julia asks about Alma's girlfriend, Margo Singh, and Alma reveals they've been fighting about college plans.
  • Alma states that her parents never truly fight; Julia insists they do but doesn't provide specifics.
  • Julia reassures Alma that she's available to talk, and Alma acknowledges this.

Character Development

Julia is the focal point of this chapter. Her internal monologue reveals a deep ambivalence about parenting: she finds the college admissions process ludicrous yet prays for Alma's success. She is self-aware about her limitations—admitting she lacks "creative stamina" for bonding activities—and finds solace in television as a shared escape. Her discomfort with sex is rooted in her own upbringing; her mother Anita never discussed it, leaving Julia to figure things out on her own. Julia's attempts to be more open with Alma show her desire to break that cycle, but she still struggles with directness, as seen when she deflects Alma's question. Her fear of separation is palpable: she treasures moments when Alma lets her guard down, and she worries about the future beyond her control.

Alma emerges as a teenager caught between independence and vulnerability. She is anxious about college decisions, but she also shows maturity in discussing her relationship with Margo. Her observation that her parents don't "fight-fight" suggests she perceives a lack of conflict in their marriage, which may be naive or may hint at deeper issues. Alma's ability to reassure her mother—"Sure, Mom"—shows both her growing independence and her awareness of Julia's needs.

Margo Singh is mentioned but not present. She is described as mild-mannered, with a soft voice, and Alma's conflict with her introduces the theme of relationship strain under external pressure.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • College admissions pressure: The chapter vividly portrays the anxiety of waiting for decisions, the competitive culture, and the toll it takes on both parent and child.
  • Mother-daughter bonding: Television serves as a shared escape and a rare space for connection. Julia's internal monologue emphasizes how precious these moments are.
  • Communication about sexuality: Julia's awkwardness contrasts with her attempts to be open, highlighting generational differences and the difficulty of discussing intimate topics.
  • Generational disconnect: Julia's memories of her own mother's silence about sex underscore how parenting styles evolve, yet also how patterns persist.
  • Fear of separation: Alma's impending college departure looms over the chapter, symbolized by the uncertainty of where she and Margo will end up.
  • Television as escape: Gold Beach provides a distraction from real-life anxieties, but also mirrors them through its dramatic relationships.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 9 deepens our understanding of Julia as a mother and as a person shaped by her own upbringing. It reveals the fragility of her connection with Alma, which is built on small, unspoken moments rather than grand gestures. The chapter also sets up future conflicts: Alma's relationship with Margo is strained by college decisions, and Alma's comment about her parents' lack of real fighting hints at unresolved issues in Julia and Mark's marriage. Julia's fear of the future—"all of the moments beyond her control"—foreshadows the challenges the family will face as Alma prepares to leave home. This chapter is a quiet but pivotal exploration of maternal anxiety, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of watching a child grow up.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Julia's attitude toward Alma's college applications reflect her parenting style?

Julia privately dismisses the college admissions process as a "ludicrous rat race," yet she prays for Alma's success and admires her daughter's steady work ethic. This reflects her broader parenting approach: she is critical of societal expectations but ultimately wants to protect and support Alma. She avoids pushing Alma toward eccentric achievements, valuing her daughter's authenticity over competitiveness. Her anxiety about the outcome shows that despite her skepticism, she is emotionally invested in Alma's future.

2. What does the conversation about sex reveal about Julia's relationship with her own mother?

Julia's memories of Anita reveal a stark contrast: Anita never spoke to her about sex, and Julia had to learn about it indirectly from hearing her mother's boyfriends through the bedroom door. This silence left Julia feeling it was "too late to ask" by her mid-teens. In response, Julia has tried to be more open with Alma, buying educational books and answering questions. However, she still feels uncomfortable, as shown by her deflection when Alma calls her out. This suggests that Julia is trying to break a generational pattern but hasn't fully overcome her own conditioning.

3. How does Alma's comment about her parents not fighting foreshadow deeper issues?

Alma says her parents only argue about trivial things, not "fight-fight." Julia insists they do fight but doesn't give examples, instead thinking about private moments like the silk scarves and the interrupted sexual encounter. This discrepancy suggests that Julia and Mark may be avoiding deeper conflicts, possibly to protect their children or because of unresolved issues. Alma's observation hints that the marriage may have hidden tensions that will surface later in the novel, especially as the family faces the stress of Alma's departure.

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