Chapter 40 Summary — Naomi's Point of View
⚠️ 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
In February 2023, three months before her death, Naomi takes a train to Maya’s Brooklyn apartment for a Sunday lunch. Maya had missed Naomi’s senior show, and this visit is meant as an apology. On the ride over, Naomi cannot stop thinking about a picture Liam showed her—though the chapter never reveals what that picture contains, it clearly unsettles her.
Maya greets Naomi warmly, and her young daughter Dani rushes to hug her aunt. Dani complains that Maya wouldn’t let her attend the show, and Maya explains she couldn’t find a sitter. Naomi bites her tongue, not reminding Maya that this was her final show—there will be no next one. They settle on the couch with green tea while Dani recites books from memory.
As the afternoon wears on, Naomi grows anxious. She tries to raise a sensitive topic with Maya but decides against it, telling her sister only that she is there if Maya ever needs to talk. Maya misreads the gesture, wondering if Naomi is pregnant or in some kind of trouble. Naomi reassures her she is fine, but the conversation shifts when Maya brings up that Cecily told her Naomi turned down a job at Hunt. Maya presses Naomi about her lack of a post-graduation plan, offering to ask Kai for help. Naomi deflects, mentioning that Professor DuPont offered to connect her with someone at Omnis for a journalism program. Maya reacts sharply, saying Naomi shouldn’t settle.
Dani interrupts, pulling Naomi to her room to show off drawings. Hours later, as Naomi prepares to leave, Maya delivers a cryptic warning: “Don’t let him do any favors for you.” She clarifies that she means Matthew DuPont, adding, “Trust me, you don’t ever want to owe that man anything.” Naomi leaves unsettled, having never voiced the real reason for her visit.
Key Events
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Naomi travels to Maya’s Brooklyn apartment, preoccupied by a picture Liam showed her.
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Maya apologizes for missing Naomi’s show; Naomi suppresses the fact that there will be no next show.
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Naomi attempts to discuss something sensitive with Maya but backs off, saying only that she is there for her.
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Maya misinterprets Naomi’s concern, suspecting pregnancy or trouble.
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Maya reveals that Cecily told her Naomi declined a job at Hunt, and she pressures Naomi about her future.
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Naomi mentions Professor DuPont’s offer to connect her with an Omnis journalism program.
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Maya forcefully objects, telling Naomi not to settle.
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Dani interrupts, and later, as Naomi leaves, Maya warns her never to owe Matthew DuPont anything.
Character Development
Naomi is caught between her own desires and her sister’s expectations. She is anxious about the picture Liam showed her, but she avoids confronting it directly. Her decision not to raise the sensitive topic with Maya shows her tendency to protect others from painful truths—even at her own expense. She also resists the conventional path Maya envisions for her, rejecting the idea that a corporate job, house, or husband will bring happiness. Her internal monologue reveals a quiet rebellion against societal norms, yet she remains passive in the face of Maya’s pressure.
Maya emerges as a protective but controlling older sister. She is exhausted, both from parenting and from carrying unspoken burdens. Her misreading of Naomi’s concern suggests she is projecting her own fears. She is quick to criticize Naomi’s choices, but her final warning about DuPont hints at a deeper knowledge—perhaps born from her own traumatic past. Maya’s insistence that Naomi “shouldn’t settle” reveals her desire for her sister to have a better life, but also her inability to see that Naomi’s definition of success may differ.
Dani serves as a lighthearted counterpoint, her innocence highlighting the tension between the adults. Her interruptions defuse moments of conflict, but also prevent Naomi from ever voicing her true concerns.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Unspoken family tensions dominate the chapter. Naomi and Maya communicate in hints and silences, each misreading the other’s intentions. The tea and stacks of books in Maya’s apartment symbolize comfort and domesticity, but also the weight of unexpressed emotions.
Career uncertainty after graduation is a central theme. Naomi’s rejection of the Hunt job and her vague interest in a journalism program reflect her fear of being trapped in a life she doesn’t want. Maya’s insistence on a concrete plan underscores the pressure society places on young adults to have their futures mapped out.
Rejection of societal expectations is evident in Naomi’s internal monologue. She questions the value of the conventional markers of success—house, husband, corporate job—and wonders if they truly bring happiness. This rebellion sets her apart from Maya, who seems to embrace those norms.
Hidden dangers of owing favors is introduced through Maya’s warning about DuPont. The phrase “never owe that man anything” suggests that DuPont’s help comes with strings attached, foreshadowing his role in the larger mystery.
Trauma avoidance is subtly present. Naomi hints at wanting to discuss something painful, but she pulls back, recognizing that Maya has tried to block out a horrific event in her past. This avoidance prevents healing and leaves both sisters isolated.
Sisterly protection and miscommunication are intertwined. Maya’s protective instincts lead her to push Naomi toward what she thinks is best, while Naomi’s desire to shield Maya from pain causes her to stay silent. Their mutual care is undermined by their inability to speak openly.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a crucial character study that deepens our understanding of Naomi’s inner world and her relationship with Maya. It plants several seeds for the novel’s larger mysteries: the picture Liam showed Naomi, the sensitive topic she never raises, and Maya’s ominous warning about Matthew DuPont. The chapter also establishes Naomi’s ambivalence about her future, which may explain her later decisions. Most importantly, it highlights the tragic irony of Naomi’s death—she had so much she wanted to say, but she never got the chance.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Naomi decide not to tell Maya the real reason for her visit?
Naomi sees that Maya is already burdened—she is exhausted, defensive about missing the show, and clearly trying to move past a traumatic event. Naomi realizes that raising the topic would only add to Maya’s pain, so she chooses to protect her sister instead of seeking comfort for herself. This decision reflects Naomi’s selfless nature, but it also leaves her isolated.
2. What does Maya’s reaction to Naomi’s mention of Professor DuPont reveal about her character?
Maya’s forceful “No” and her later warning about owing DuPont anything suggest she has firsthand knowledge of DuPont’s manipulative nature. Her reaction is protective, but also hints at a hidden history—perhaps connected to the friend who died. Maya’s intensity here is out of proportion to Naomi’s casual mention, indicating that DuPont is a dangerous figure in Maya’s past.
3. How does the chapter use miscommunication to advance the plot?
The entire chapter is built on miscommunication. Naomi tries to discuss something important but backs off; Maya misreads her as pregnant or in trouble; Naomi doesn’t correct her; and Maya’s warning about DuPont is cryptic. These misunderstandings create dramatic irony and foreshadow the secrets that will later surface. They also show how the sisters’ inability to speak openly contributes to the tragedy.
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