Chapter 33: 2009 — 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.
Summary
In 2009, Georgette (Jet) meets her half-brother Davis for the first time at a restaurant along the San Antonio River Walk. Davis had reached out after finding her, and they agreed to meet. Jet spots him before he sees her, struck by how much he resembles her—same facial structure, big eyes, thin lips, and pronounced cheekbones, though with darker hair and skin. They greet each other with a handshake, both acknowledging the awkwardness.
Davis shares his life story. He always knew he was adopted, raised by loving adoptive parents alongside an older adopted brother, Howie. His parents were open about his birth mother, Lillian, but knew little about her. Davis describes a typical childhood—school, tee ball, summer trips to Colorado—and a close extended family. He went to college for business, following Howie, but discovered a talent for construction work and became a foreman. He’s been married to Bekah for nearly ten years, with two children: Liam, who loves outer space and Pokémon, and Marigold, a spirited preschooler. He shows Jet photos of his family, and Jet feels a pang of jealousy—both for Howie, who got to grow up with Davis, and for Davis’s stable, happy life.
Jet then shares what she knows about Lillian. She pulls out a stack of photos, and Davis immediately points to Lillian in a group shot, recognizing her instinctively. Jet tells him about Lillian’s favorite foods, movies, and medical history. They discover shared traits: both can roll their tongues (a trait from Lillian), and both dislike cilantro because it tastes like soap—though Jet loves it. Their birthdays are only weeks apart, so they share a slice of triple chocolate cake. Davis asks about Jet’s father, and when she gives a brief overview, he remarks, “Orphanhood sure can take many forms,” a comment that resonates deeply with Jet.
Davis reveals he recently contacted his biological father, who initially didn’t respond and then wrote back to say his life has no space for Davis. Jet doesn’t press further. After dinner, Davis insists on paying. They walk along the river, where they talk about childhood dreams—Jet once wanted to be a doctor, Davis a musician. Davis mentions he wrote a song in high school but shrugs it off. As they near their cars, Davis says he’d like to visit Lillian’s grave sometime with Bekah and the kids. Jet feels a mix of emotions: a desire to keep her mother’s grave to herself, and a realization that she has a niece and nephew. She offers to guide them to the cemetery from her place in Fort Worth. They part with a side hug, and Jet drives home.
On the drive, Jet reflects on the meeting. She notices the unopened envelope from her mother in the glove box—she no longer fantasizes about burning it, and even wonders if she should open it for Davis’s sake, but still hesitates. She stops at Buc-ee’s for gas, wondering about Davis’s music tastes and his high school song. Passing through Austin, she flips through radio stations, finally settling on Kenny G, admitting the saxophone is nice.
Key Events
-
Jet and Davis meet for the first time at a River Walk restaurant.
-
Davis shares his life story: adoption, family, career, and children.
-
Jet shows Davis photos of Lillian, and he identifies her immediately.
-
They discover shared genetic traits: tongue rolling and cilantro aversion.
-
They learn their birthdays are weeks apart and share cake.
-
Davis reveals his biological father rejected him.
-
They walk along the river and discuss childhood dreams.
-
Davis expresses a desire to visit Lillian’s grave with his family.
-
Jet offers to guide them, feeling conflicted about sharing the grave.
-
They part with a side hug; Jet reflects on the envelope and her new family.
Character Development
Georgette (Jet): This chapter marks a significant shift in Jet’s emotional landscape. Initially, she is nervous and guarded, but as Davis shares his story, she moves from jealousy to a sense of connection. Her jealousy of Howie and Davis’s stable life reveals her longing for the family she never had. Yet, by the end, she is willing to share her mother’s grave—a symbolic act of expanding her definition of family. Her reflection on the envelope shows growth: she no longer wants to destroy it, but considers opening it for Davis’s sake, indicating a move toward embracing the unknown.
Davis: Davis is portrayed as open, kind, and thoughtful. He shares his life story without hesitation, shows genuine interest in Lillian, and is sensitive to Jet’s feelings. His remark about orphanhood shows deep insight. His rejection by his biological father adds a layer of vulnerability, but he remains gracious. His desire to visit Lillian’s grave with his family underscores his need to connect with his roots.
Lillian (through memory): Though absent, Lillian’s presence looms large. The photos and shared traits bring her to life, and Davis’s immediate recognition of her in a crowd suggests a powerful biological connection. Her story—giving up Davis, keeping Jet—remains a mystery, but the chapter hints at the complexity of her choices.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
-
Sibling reunion and identity: The meeting forces Jet and Davis to redefine who they are in relation to each other and to their mother.
-
Adoption and identity: Davis’s story highlights how adoption shapes identity, yet he finds belonging through his adoptive family while still seeking his biological origins.
-
Shared genetic inheritance: The tongue rolling and cilantro aversion serve as tangible links to Lillian, offering Davis puzzle pieces he’s long sought.
-
Counterfactual family what-ifs: Jet imagines what life would have been like if Davis had been raised with her, and how that might have changed everything.
-
Mutual jealousy: Jet envies Davis’s stability; Davis envies Jet for having known Lillian.
-
Concentric circles of grief: The chapter suggests that grief, though experienced differently, can be similar in depth—like concentric circles.
-
Orphanhood in many forms: Davis’s comment encapsulates the idea that loss of a parent can take many shapes, including emotional absence.
-
The unopened envelope: The envelope symbolizes unresolved questions about Lillian’s past and Jet’s reluctance to confront them.
-
Claiming versus sharing the mother’s grave: Jet’s initial resistance to sharing the grave reflects her need to keep her mother’s memory exclusive, but she ultimately opens up.
-
Expanding family through new relatives: The meeting introduces Jet to a niece and nephew, expanding her family in unexpected ways.
-
Parental rejection: Davis’s biological father’s rejection contrasts with Lillian’s (implied) love, highlighting the pain of abandonment.
-
Childhood dreams versus adult reality: Jet’s dream of being a doctor and Davis’s of being a musician are set aside for other paths, yet they remain part of their identities.
-
Photographs as memory and connection: The photos serve as a bridge between siblings, allowing Davis to see his mother for the first time.
-
The Are You My Mother? motif: Jet’s memory of reading the book with Lillian underscores the theme of searching for a mother, which both siblings experience.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Jet’s journey. It introduces a new family member, forcing her to confront her assumptions about her mother’s past and her own identity. The meeting challenges her sense of ownership over Lillian’s memory, as she must now share it with a brother she never knew. It also deepens the novel’s exploration of grief, belonging, and the many forms family can take. The chapter sets up potential future interactions, as Davis plans to visit the grave, and it leaves Jet contemplating the envelope—a symbol of unresolved truths. This is a chapter about connection, acceptance, and the slow, tentative steps toward healing.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Jet’s initial jealousy of Davis evolve over the course of the chapter?
Jet initially feels jealous of Howie for having Davis as a brother, and of Davis for his stable, happy family. However, as they talk and share stories, she begins to see their common ground. By the end, she is willing to share her mother’s grave, indicating a shift from jealousy to a desire for connection. Her reflection on the envelope shows she is even considering opening it for Davis’s sake, suggesting she now sees him as part of her family.
2. What role do shared traits and photographs play in the siblings’ connection?
The shared traits—tongue rolling and cilantro aversion—provide tangible evidence of their biological link to Lillian, giving Davis pieces of his mother’s identity he never had. The photographs allow Davis to see Lillian for the first time, and his immediate recognition of her in a crowd underscores a deep, instinctive connection. These elements bridge the gap between the siblings, making their relationship feel real and rooted in shared heritage.
3. Why does Jet feel conflicted about Davis visiting Lillian’s grave?
Jet’s conflict stems from a desire to keep her mother’s grave as her own—a private space for her grief. The idea of sharing it with Davis, and with his family, forces her to acknowledge that Lillian had a life before her, and that she has other descendants. This challenges Jet’s sense of exclusive connection to her mother. Yet, she also feels a positive pull, recognizing that Davis and his children are her family too. The “good and bad at the same time” feeling captures this ambivalence.