Swan Song Chapter 32 Summary - The Third Eight

Spoiler Notice

This page contains detailed plot points and character revelations from Chapter 32 of Swan Song. If you have not yet read this chapter, consider doing so before proceeding.

Summary

Coco runs errands using Leslee's credit card, adding luxury items for herself, but the card is declined at Sea View Farm and the gas station. Delilah covers the farm bill on her house account. Leslee, drinking bourbon before noon, rips up checks made out to Tiffin Academy and a scholarship fund after photographing them. Benton Coe completes Leslee's circular garden with an eight-sided mahogany hot tub. Leslee hosts an intimate garden party with only nine guests, themed around vintage Lilly Pulitzer and retro cocktails. At the party, Eddie overhears Bull proposing to cut him out of their business deal to split the pot fifty-fifty with Addison. Romeo confronts Benton about being too close to Sharon, then leaves with Sharon. Chief Kapenash, feeling disoriented after eating brownies Leslee made, realizes she touched his leg in the hot tub and flees, calling Andrea to pick him up. Lamont and Coco continue their secret relationship.

Key Events

Coco adds personal splurges to Leslee's shopping list, including Rainier cherries and truffle oil
Leslee's credit card is declined at Sea View Farm and the gas station
Delilah covers Coco's farm charges on her house account
Leslee photographs then rips up checks for Tiffin Academy and a scholarship fund
Benton Coe finishes the circular garden and hot tub installation
Leslee hosts an invitation-only garden party for nine guests
Eddie overhears Bull and Addison discussing cutting him from their business deal
Romeo calls out Benton for touching Sharon in the hot tub, then leaves with Sharon
Chief Kapenash eats brownies Leslee made, feels intoxicated, and leaves after Leslee touches his leg under the water
Coco and Lamont eat Rainier cherries in bed and discuss Leslee's odd behavior

Character Development

Character	Observation
Coco	Grows bolder about taking liberties with Leslee's resources, then faces consequences when the card is declined. Shows loyalty by not mentioning Delilah's help to Leslee. Her relationship with Lamont deepens.
Leslee	Demonstrates erratic and possibly reckless financial behavior—ripping up large checks, drinking early in the day, and not tracking her accounts. Her control extends to orchestrating seating in the hot tub and making drugged brownies.
Chief Kapenash	On the cusp of retirement and feeling newly free, he nearly crosses a line but reaffirms his commitment to Andrea. His vulnerability becomes clear when he admits he cannot drive and calls for help.
Eddie	Struggles with insecurity about his working-class background and his place among the island's elite. Overhearing Bull call him "inelegant" and "redundant" intensifies his anxiety.
Sharon	Finds herself at the center of a love triangle between Romeo and Benton. She gains confidence by arriving with Benton, provoking Romeo's jealousy, and ultimately leaves with him.
Romeo	Shows possessiveness toward Sharon, calling out Benton in the hot tub and demanding they leave together. His jealousy signals that his feelings for Sharon run deeper than he has admitted.
Addison	Expresses loyalty to Eddie by rejecting Bull's proposal to cut him out, but Bull presses him to "think about it," leaving his final decision ambiguous.
Benton Coe	Completes a stunning garden and hot tub on time after payment disputes. He flirts openly with Sharon and appears unconcerned about Romeo's jealousy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Karma and Hubris: Coco's decision to splurge on herself using Leslee's card is immediately punished when the card is declined. She reflects that "karma is pinching her for her hubris."

Secrecy and Eavesdropping: Eddie hiding behind the hedge to overhear Bull and Addison mirrors the larger pattern of hidden truths in the novel. The garden's boxwood hedges create literal walls that conceal conversations.

The Hot Tub as Stage: The eight-sided hot tub becomes a controlled social space where Leslee orchestrates seating, tension, and physical proximity. It represents her desire to direct the behavior of others, even sexually.

Appearance vs. Reality: The "authentic-looking" antique gate that is actually new-made mirrors the Richardsons themselves—seemingly established but in fact manufactured. The party's "swingers in the summertime" theme obscures genuine romantic conflicts.

Loss of Control: Multiple characters experience a loss of control in this chapter: Leslee with her finances, the Chief with the drugged brownies, Eddie with his business deal, and Romeo with his jealousy.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 32 dramatically accelerates several plotlines that will likely converge in the novel's climax. Eddie now knows Bull wants to cut him out of the deal, creating an adversarial dynamic that could explode at any moment. The Chief's narrow escape from Leslee's advance, combined with the drugged brownies, suggests Leslee is willing to manipulate others in dangerous ways. Romeo's public claiming of Sharon signals a potential realignment of romantic pairings. Most forebodingly, Leslee's financial instability (declined cards, ripped-up checks) and psychological volatility (controlling behavior, early-morning drinking, apparent drug use) hint at an imminent crisis. The party—meant to showcase Leslee's social power—instead exposes fractures among nearly every guest.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Coco decide not to tell Leslee that Delilah covered the farm charges? Coco does not mention Delilah because she does not want to reveal that Leslee's card was declined in front of a rival. She also likely wants to avoid complicating the already tense relationship between Leslee and Delilah, and she may feel protective of Delilah's kindness.
What does Leslee's behavior with the checks (photographing them, then ripping them up) suggest about her mental state and the Richardsons' finances? Leslee's actions suggest either performative generosity—she wants the public credit for writing the checks without actually donating the money—or a deliberate attempt to maintain appearances of wealth while hiding real financial trouble. The declined cards earlier in the chapter support the latter interpretation, indicating the Richardsons may be cash-poor despite their lavish lifestyle.
What does the Chief's decision to leave the hot tub immediately after Leslee touches his leg reveal about his character? The Chief's immediate exit demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Andrea. He has been married to her for decades and has never cheated "in mind, body, or spirit." Even under the influence of the drugged brownies and in a compromised situation, he prioritizes his marriage and calls his wife for help, proving his integrity.