Chapter 17 Summary: 1994

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens on Thanksgiving dinner at Elise's house. Ryan arrives already drunk, and his behavior—straightening serving spoons into crookedness—makes his condition undeniable. Elise firmly tells him to leave the table, and Lillian insists he not drive. Ryan reluctantly agrees to sleep it off in the spare room. The tension is palpable, and Lillian is transported back to the phone call she received years ago about her father's death in a drunk-driving accident. She recalls the aftermath: her mother's earlier death, the obituary, the cremation, and scattering her father's ashes in the Trinity River. She also remembers Ryan's past DUI arrest and failed rehab, and she reflects on the painful pattern of his part-time fatherhood—he misses more visits than he keeps, and his presence often brings more hurt than joy.

After the strained dinner, Lillian and Jet return home. Lillian is haunted by memories of Ryan in his early years, the man who once turned brown moments golden. She acknowledges that Ryan has never filed for divorce and still sends a monthly check for Jet, but she also recognizes that the years are slipping away. She admits she hasn't filed either, partly because no one else holds a candle to the Ryan she once loved.

The following week, Ryan stands up Jet for yet another visit. Jet's seeming indifference breaks Lillian's heart, so she takes Jet to an animal shelter. Jet, wearing her Pink Ranger costume, insists on adopting a border collie mix and names him Stethoscope, later shortened to Seth. They bring Seth home, and Jet decorates his bowls with a misspelled label.

Later, Shauna and Kendi join them for Seth's inaugural walk at the park. While the kids play with the dog, Shauna tells Lillian about her new boyfriend, Michael, a pediatric oncologist. Shauna is falling in love with him, and Kendi is slowly warming up, especially since Michael takes him to the Aviation Museum monthly. Lillian reflects on the contrast between Michael and Ryan, and on the fact that Shauna's late partner Patrick died before Kendi was born, allowing Shauna the closure to move on. Lillian envies Shauna's ability to let go, while she herself still hunts for the Ryan of the past.

Back home, Jet's friend Valentina comes over to meet Seth. After Valentina leaves, Jet tells Lillian she prefers Kendi because Valentina only wanted to play with dolls and hair clips. Lillian advises her about the importance of taking turns and being a good friend, but Jet is unconvinced. The chapter closes with Elise calling, and Jet chatting happily with her grandmother, while Lillian whispers to Seth that he is her good boy.

Key Events

Ryan arrives drunk at Thanksgiving dinner and is ordered from the table by Elise.
Lillian prevents Ryan from driving; he sleeps in the spare room.
Lillian recalls her father's death in a drunk-driving crash and the aftermath.
Ryan stands up Jet the following week, prompting Lillian to take Jet to an animal shelter.
They adopt a border collie mix named Stethoscope (Seth).
At the park, Shauna discusses her new boyfriend Michael, a pediatric oncologist.
Jet's friend Valentina visits, but Jet prefers Kendi, leading to a conversation about friendship.
Elise calls, and Jet chats with her; Lillian finds comfort in Seth.

Character Development

Lillian: This chapter deepens her internal conflict. She grapples with her lingering love for the 'Ryan of the Early Years' while facing the reality of his alcoholism and unreliability. Her decision to adopt a rescue dog reflects her need to save something and to give Jet a source of joy. She also shows growth in her advice to Jet about friendship, though she herself struggles with letting go of the past.
Ryan: Though he appears only briefly, his drunkenness and abandonment of Jet reinforce his role as a flawed, absent father. His past DUI and failed rehab are revealed, painting a picture of a man trapped in addiction.
Jet: She demonstrates resilience and a growing sense of independence. Her insistence on naming the dog Stethoscope and her preference for Kendi over Valentina show her developing personality and her need for a friend who shares her interests.
Shauna: She is portrayed as moving forward after loss, open to love with Michael. Her contrast with Lillian highlights different ways of coping with grief.
Kendi: He is shown as a boy who misses his father, yet finds joy in play and in Michael's presence.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Alcoholism and Drunk Driving: Ryan's drunkenness at Thanksgiving and Lillian's father's death by a drunk driver underscore the destructive cycle of addiction and its ripple effects on families.
Grief and Loss: Lillian's memories of her parents and her ongoing mourning for the relationship she once had with Ryan are central. The empty place setting at Elise's table symbolizes absence.
Hope vs. Reality: Lillian's hope for reconciliation with Ryan clashes with the reality of his behavior. The monthly check and her decision not to divorce reflect a clinging to possibility.
Rescue and Salvation: The adoption of Seth is a literal act of rescue, but it also symbolizes Lillian's desire to save her family and herself from despair.
Memory and Nostalgia: Lillian's recollections of Ryan's early charm and her parents' presence highlight the power of memory to both comfort and torment.
Friendship: Jet's preference for Kendi and Lillian's advice about taking turns illustrate the complexities of childhood friendships and the importance of mutual respect.
Contrast between Ryan and Michael: Michael's reliability and kindness stand in stark opposition to Ryan's unreliability, emphasizing what Lillian lacks.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it crystallizes Lillian's emotional state and her struggle to move forward. The Thanksgiving incident forces her to confront Ryan's alcoholism head-on, while the adoption of Seth provides a tangible source of hope. The park scene with Shauna and Michael offers a glimpse of a healthier relationship, contrasting with Lillian's stagnation. The chapter also deepens Jet's character, showing her growing independence and her need for stable friendships. Finally, the closing phone call with Elise reinforces the importance of family bonds, even as Lillian whispers to Seth that he is her good boy.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Lillian's memory of her father's death influence her reaction to Ryan's drunkenness at Thanksgiving?

Lillian's father was killed by a drunk driver, so she has a visceral fear of anyone driving under the influence. When Ryan shows up drunk, she immediately insists he not drive, and her memories of the phone call about her father's death flood back. This history explains why she is so adamant about preventing Ryan from getting behind the wheel, and it also deepens her pain, as she sees Ryan repeating the same reckless behavior that took her father's life.

2. What does the adoption of Seth symbolize for Lillian and Jet?

The adoption of Seth represents a deliberate act of rescue and hope. Lillian takes Jet to the shelter after Ryan stands her up, seeking to fill the void left by his absence. Seth becomes a source of unconditional love and a new focus for their family. For Jet, naming the dog Stethoscope shows her interest in medicine and her desire to care for others. The dog also serves as a reminder that they can create joy and connection even when Ryan fails them.

3. How does the contrast between Shauna's relationship with Michael and Lillian's relationship with Ryan highlight Lillian's internal conflict?

Shauna has moved on from the loss of Patrick and is open to love with Michael, who is reliable and kind. Lillian, however, admits she doesn't want something new; she wants something old—the Ryan of the early years. This contrast underscores Lillian's inability to let go of the past. While Shauna has found closure, Lillian still hunts for a version of Ryan that no longer exists, which keeps her trapped in a cycle of hope and disappointment.