Chapter 64: Naomi — 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.
The chapter is a flashback to the night before Naomi's death, and it carries emotional weight that shapes the rest of the narrative.
Summary
On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the night before her death, Naomi arrives in the city and Ben meets her at the station. He walks her to his uncle's modern loft in the West Village, a stark space of concrete and glass with a Rothko painting on one wall and a security camera in the entryway. The loft feels cold and empty, far from the plant-filled warmth of Ben's dorm room. Ben notices Naomi shivering and offers her a sweatshirt, then shows her the guest room. He explains that his father has had another stroke and that he must return to Singapore, missing graduation.
That evening, they try to avoid talking about the investigation. They listen to James Blake on the record player and look through Ben's 35mm photographs of people around the city. Ben clarifies that the woman who appeared at his soccer game was a family friend his mother wanted him to marry; they had been off and on for over a year, and he had tried to end things long before the game. Naomi checks her phone for a reply from Marta, but none has come. She feels a tremor of their old connection and imagines a future with Ben—indie concerts, photography exhibits, conversations about life.
Later, Naomi falls asleep on the couch while Ben talks. She wakes in the middle of the night, disoriented, and then tiptoes upstairs to his bedroom. Ben lifts the covers for her, and she slips in beside him. He wraps his arms around her, and she falls asleep to the steady beat of his heart. The next morning, Ben kisses her cheek before leaving for the airport. He promises to keep his phone on the whole flight so she can reach him if anything happens. Naomi looks at him, wishing he could stay, but says, “I’ll be fine.”
Key Events
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Ben meets Naomi at the station and brings her to his uncle's loft in the West Village.
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Ben reveals his father's second stroke and his need to return to Singapore, missing graduation.
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They listen to music and review Ben's photographs, discussing his past relationship with a family friend.
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Naomi checks her phone for a reply from Marta, but there is none.
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Naomi falls asleep on the couch, then wakes and joins Ben in bed.
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Ben leaves for the airport the next morning, promising to keep his phone on.
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Naomi assures Ben she will be fine.
Character Development
This chapter deepens the portrait of Naomi and Ben's relationship. Naomi is vulnerable and seeking comfort, still haunted by the investigation and Marta's silence. She feels a rekindled attraction to Ben, but also a sense of uncertainty about where they stand. Her imagination of a shared future—concerts, photography exhibits, meeting his family—reveals her longing for stability and connection.
Ben emerges as caring and attentive, offering warmth in a cold space. He is dealing with a family crisis, yet he prioritizes Naomi's safety and comfort. His explanation about the family friend shows a willingness to be honest about his messy past, which parallels Naomi's own complicated history with Liam. The chapter highlights how both characters are navigating unresolved emotions and external pressures.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Coldness vs. Warmth: The loft is described as stark, empty, and cold, contrasting with Ben's dorm room, which was filled with plants and music. This contrast symbolizes the emotional distance that has grown between Naomi and Ben, but also the warmth they can still generate together. Ben's sweatshirt, the turned-up heat, and his physical embrace all work to counter the coldness of the setting.
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Unanswered Plea for Help: Naomi's repeated checks for a reply from Marta underscore her isolation and the failure of her support system. The lack of response leaves her without a clear path forward, heightening her vulnerability.
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Family Health Crisis and Duty: Ben's father's stroke forces Ben to leave before graduation, illustrating how family obligations can disrupt personal plans and relationships. This adds a layer of urgency and sadness to the chapter.
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Impending Departure: Ben's imminent departure creates a sense of limited time and missed opportunities. The night they share is framed as a fleeting moment of connection before separation.
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Romantic Reconnection and Imagined Future: Naomi's daydreams about a life with Ben suggest hope and the desire for a normal, happy existence, which stands in stark contrast to the danger she is in.
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Messy Relationship Endings: Ben's description of his off-and-on relationship with the family friend makes Naomi reflect on her own messy ending with Liam. This motif emphasizes that relationships rarely conclude cleanly.
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Shared Artistic Interests: Music and photography serve as a bridge between Naomi and Ben, allowing them to connect on a personal level despite the surrounding tension.
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Security Camera and Surveillance: The security camera in the entryway subtly introduces a motif of being watched, which resonates with the broader themes of investigation and hidden truths in the novel.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is crucial because it captures Naomi's emotional state on the night before her death. It shows her seeking comfort and safety with Ben, her hope for a future, and her unresolved investigation. The irony of her saying “I’ll be fine” is deeply poignant, as the reader knows she will not be. The chapter also sets up the mystery of what happens next: Ben is gone, Marta has not replied, and Naomi is left alone. The warmth and intimacy of this night make the subsequent tragedy all the more devastating.
Study Questions and Answers
- How does the setting of Ben's uncle's loft contrast with Ben's dorm room, and what does this contrast reveal about Naomi's perception of Ben?
The loft is stark, cold, and empty, with concrete, glass, and a Rothko painting, while Ben's dorm was filled with plants and music. Naomi notes the difference, suggesting she sees Ben as more complex than she initially thought. The coldness of the loft mirrors the emotional distance that has grown between them, but Ben's warmth and care begin to bridge that gap.
- What does Naomi's repeated checking for a reply from Marta indicate about her state of mind?
It shows her anxiety and dependence on Marta's help for the investigation. The lack of reply leaves her unsettled and without a clear next step, heightening her vulnerability and sense of isolation.
- How does Ben's explanation about the woman at his soccer game parallel Naomi's own relationship with Liam?
Ben describes a messy, off-and-on relationship that he tried to end, which makes Naomi think of Liam and how relationship endings are often messier than they appear. This parallel highlights the complexity of their past and the difficulty of moving on, while also creating a moment of empathy between them.