Chapter 4, “Three”: Summary and Study Notes
⚠️ 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 4 opens with Drew at the local library, trying to make copies of missing-person fliers for Lola. The photocopier is malfunctioning, and the volunteer at the front desk gives him an annoyed glance, reflecting the town's suspicion of him. Drew reflects on how his life has unraveled since Lola vanished: the sheriff has repeatedly pulled him out of school for questioning, his lawyer has only recently put a stop to it, and he is barely clinging to graduation. He has been posting fliers for weeks, but they have yielded only ten calls—nine pranks and one from an elderly woman who told him he should be ashamed of himself. Despite this, he feels compelled to keep trying, because giving up would mean accepting that Lola might never come home.
His cousin Max finds him and tries to persuade him to attend the family dinner at Drew's house. Max mentions that a search party gathered at the river that day, and Drew immediately realizes what that means: they are not looking for Lola alive; they are searching for her remains. Drew insists she is not dead, but he is shaken. He decides to drive to the boat launch to see for himself, and Max insists on coming along to keep him out of trouble.
At the boat launch, Drew sees dozens of volunteers and deputies, and the search appears to be wrapping up. He spots Lola's parents emerging from the woods—Mr. Scott looks older and grayer, and Mrs. Scott has lost so much weight she seems fragile. The sight fills Drew with shame, especially when Mr. Scott glares at him. Drew makes a U-turn and leaves, admitting to Max that he shouldn't have come.
Key Events
- Drew makes copies of Lola's missing-person fliers at the library, but the machine and the public's suspicion frustrate him. - Max arrives and tries to get Drew to attend family dinner, but Drew declines. - Max reveals that a search party gathered at the river that day, leading Drew to realize they are looking for Lola's remains. - Drew drives to the boat launch with Max, despite Max's warnings. - They observe the search wrapping up, with many volunteers and deputies present. - Drew sees Lola's parents emerge from the woods, and the sight fills him with shame. - Drew makes a U-turn and leaves, acknowledging he shouldn't have come.
Character Development
Drew is consumed by guilt and grief. He is determined to keep searching for Lola, but he is also aware of how the town has turned against him. He reflects on his privilege, noting that if he looked more like his Papá's side of the family, he might have been arrested already. His family's financial stability allowed them to hire a lawyer, which has protected him from the sheriff's pressure. Drew's stubborn hope that Lola is alive clashes with the reality of the search party, and his shame at seeing her parents underscores his deep sense of responsibility.
Max emerges as a loyal and protective cousin. He tries to steer Drew away from the river, but when Drew insists on going, Max joins him to keep him from getting arrested. Max's concern is genuine, and he tries to offer comfort, even suggesting they get ice cream instead. His presence provides a counterpoint to Drew's isolation.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are shown in their grief. Mr. Scott appears to have aged significantly, and Mrs. Scott looks frail. Their presence at the search party—and Mr. Scott's glare at Drew—highlights the rift between Drew and Lola's family, who have turned against him like the rest of the town.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Public Suspicion and Social Ostracism: Drew is treated as a pariah by the community. The library volunteer ignores him, the old woman flips him off, and he feels the weight of everyone's suspicion. This theme is central to his experience.
Grief and Guilt: Drew's guilt is palpable. He feels responsible for Lola's disappearance, even though there is no evidence against him. His shame when he sees her parents is a direct manifestation of this guilt.
Hope vs. Despair: Drew clings to the hope that Lola is alive, while the search party's presence suggests the community has shifted to despair and is looking for closure rather than a rescue. The fliers represent Drew's hope, but they are also a symbol of his futile efforts.
Class Privilege: Drew explicitly acknowledges that his race and financial status have protected him from arrest. This motif highlights the systemic inequalities in the justice system.
Memorialization: The shrine at the boat launch—with old flowers, candles, and a waterlogged uniform—represents the community's initial outpouring of grief that has since faded. It is a symbol of how quickly attention can wane.
Recovery vs. Rescue: The search party's shift from looking for a missing person to looking for remains is a key turning point. It underscores the difference between hope and resignation.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the mystery and raises the stakes. Drew's realization that the search party is looking for Lola's remains forces him to confront the possibility that she might be dead, even as he insists otherwise. It also reveals the extent of the town's suspicion and Drew's isolation. The chapter introduces the theme of privilege and the shifting nature of the investigation, setting up future conflicts. Drew's decision to leave the boat launch—and his admission that he shouldn't have come—shows his vulnerability and his fear of facing the truth.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Drew react so strongly to the search party's presence at the river?
Drew reacts strongly because he realizes the search party is looking for Lola's remains, not her alive. This contradicts his belief that she is still alive and forces him to confront the possibility that she might be dead. His insistence that she is not dead is a defense mechanism against the unbearable thought of losing her.
2. How does Drew's privilege affect his treatment by the police?
Drew notes that if he looked more like his Papá's side of the family, he might have been arrested already. His family's financial stability allowed them to hire a lawyer, which has protected him from the sheriff's pressure. This highlights the role of class and race in the justice system.
3. What does the shrine at the boat launch symbolize?
The shrine—with old flowers, candles, and a waterlogged uniform—represents the community's initial outpouring of grief that has since faded. It is a symbol of how quickly attention can wane and how the search has shifted from hope to resignation.