The Boyfriend Chapter 10 (Chapter 9) Summary & 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
After getting coffee, Sydney walks home with Bonnie. Near the spot where Kevin attacked Sydney the previous night, Kevin appears and tries to talk. Sydney refuses, and Bonnie threatens to call 911 on him. Kevin leaves, warning Sydney she is making a mistake. Back at their building, they see super Randy changing a lightbulb. Bonnie tells Sydney that Randy creeps her out and asks Sydney to be present when Randy comes to fix her toilet the next morning. Sydney agrees, admitting that Randy sometimes gives her an unsettling feeling too.
Key Events
- Kevin approaches Sydney and Bonnie near the site of his attack on Sydney.
- Sydney firmly rejects Kevin’s attempt to speak, referencing the attack.
- Bonnie threatens to dial 911, forcing Kevin to retreat.
- Kevin warns Sydney she is making a “big mistake” before leaving.
- Sydney and Bonnie return to their building; they see Randy changing a lightbulb.
- Randy mentions missing Gretchen and agrees to fix Bonnie’s toilet the next morning.
- Bonnie privately asks Sydney to come over at 8:45 a.m. to avoid being alone with Randy.
- Sydney agrees, admitting Randy’s stares sometimes feel off.
Character Development
Sydney shows growing assertiveness by refusing to engage with Kevin and clearly stating he attacked her. She also demonstrates trust in Bonnie’s judgment, even though she had previously dismissed concerns about Randy.
Bonnie emerges as a protective friend, willing to threaten violence (via police) to defend Sydney. Her later request reveals her own vulnerability and caution.
Kevin reinforces his threatening persona. His warning suggests he will not easily give up.
Randy remains ambiguous: outwardly helpful and respectful, but both Sydney and Bonnie sense something unnerving in his lingering stares.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Threat and Safety — The chapter contrasts public spaces (the street, the lobby) with private ones (Bonnie’s apartment). Each location carries potential danger, especially when a character is alone.
Trust and Suspicion — Sydney initially dismisses Bonnie’s unease about Randy but then admits her own discomfort. This motif of hidden menace in trusted figures recurs throughout the novel.
Female Solidarity — Bonnie’s intervention with Kevin and her request for Sydney’s presence illustrate how women rely on each other for protection against male threats.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 10 raises the stakes by bringing Kevin back into the story after his attack. It also plants early suspicion around Randy, a character who may become more important later. The chapter sets up a private interaction between Bonnie and Randy (with Sydney as witness) that could trigger further revelations.
Study Questions
1. Why does Bonnie insist on having Sydney present when Randy fixes her toilet?
Bonnie finds Randy creepy because of his lingering stares and general demeanor. She does not feel safe alone with him, so she asks Sydney to accompany her for protection.
2. How does Sydney’s encounter with Kevin show her character growth?
Sydney directly confronts Kevin, calls out his attack, and refuses all his advances. This contrasts with her earlier, more passive interactions with men and shows she is learning to enforce boundaries.
3. What might Kevin’s final warning (“you’re making a big mistake”) foreshadow?
The warning suggests Kevin will not stop his pursuit; it hints at further harassment or even a physical confrontation later in the story, increasing the suspense.