Chapter 9 Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

⚠️ 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 Nine opens with Tara scrolling past an online ad for a graphic illustrator, assuming the job would be in Manhattan and out of reach. But the ad is local, lists only a vague requirement of Adobe Creative Cloud proficiency, and mentions character art and toy concepts—so she decides to apply. She borrows her brother Eddie’s cell phone, texts her interest, and includes samples of the comic strips she created while incarcerated at Taconic. A quick response comes from someone named Gordi, and the next morning Tara drives to an interview at a ramshackle house on the west end of town.

The house turns out to be a video-game command center run by two young men in their early twenties: Gordi Cohen, a pudgy, energetic guy with glasses, and Lance Richman, a lanky, deadpan partner. They run a YouTube channel where they play Fortnite and other games, and they’ve recently gained a large following. They need help with graphics, thumbnails, and merchandise to keep growing. When they see Tara’s comic strips—featuring characters like Crushin’ Conor, Captain Chloe, and Mighty Mike—they’re impressed. Gordi asks where she got the ideas, and Tara explains that her mother, who grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, used to tell Irish fairy tales to cope with the tension. Those stories, in which ordinary people gain special powers, inspired her comics.

The interview seems to go well, and Gordi and Lance offer her the job. But then they mention a criminal history check. Tara, expecting rejection, immediately reveals she just got out of prison. She stands to leave, but Gordi and Lance are surprisingly unfazed. After she explains she served a year and a half on a drug charge, they decide to hire her anyway, at minimum wage. Tara is elated. She stops at the grocery store, uses Eddie’s debit card (since she still doesn’t have her own), and buys ingredients to make a special dinner—a vegetarian shepherd’s pie.

That evening, the family returns home. Conor, still in his baseball cleats, runs into the kitchen and accidentally knocks a figurine off the end table, shattering it. Geraldine overreacts, scolding Conor harshly and lamenting that the collection now has an odd number. Tara steps in, calms Geraldine down, and then deliberately knocks over another figurine to restore an even count, winking at Conor. She then asks him for a joke, and he delivers a classic pun about a fake noodle (“an impasta”), which cheers him up.

Later, while Tara is cleaning up, Eddie’s phone buzzes. It’s Jeannie, calling from prison on a contraband phone. Tara had asked Jeannie to investigate who had been depositing money into her account each month. Jeannie reports that the deposits—$100 on the fifteenth of every month—came from a man named Brian Nolan. Tara is stunned; she had expected her father’s name. The revelation leaves her wondering why Brian Nolan would do such a thing and what he might want in return.

Key Events

Tara applies for a local graphic illustrator job using Eddie’s phone and her comic samples.
She interviews with Gordi and Lance, who run a YouTube gaming channel and want her to create graphics, thumbnails, and merchandise.
They offer her the job but mention a background check; Tara discloses her prison record.
Despite the disclosure, they hire her at minimum wage.
Tara buys groceries with Eddie’s debit card and prepares a special dinner.
Conor accidentally breaks one of Geraldine’s figurines; Geraldine overreacts.
Tara knocks over another figurine to even the count and cheers Conor with a joke.
Jeannie calls from prison and reveals that the monthly deposits came from Brian Nolan, not Tara’s father.

Character Development

Tara continues to grapple with the stigma of her criminal record. She initially assumes the job is out of reach, then fears the background check will end her chance. Her decision to disclose her past voluntarily—rather than let the check reveal it—shows both honesty and a pragmatic acceptance of her situation. Her relief at being hired is palpable, and she immediately channels that hope into caring for her family by cooking a special meal. Her protective instincts shine when she deflects Geraldine’s anger from Conor and uses humor to comfort him, demonstrating her role as a stabilizing presence in the household.

Geraldine is revealed as fragile and controlling, particularly about her figurine collection. Her overreaction to the broken piece suggests deeper anxieties—perhaps about order, control, or the instability of her life. Tara’s intervention forces Geraldine to back down, but the moment also exposes the tension between the sisters.

Conor shows vulnerability and resilience. He is clearly accustomed to Geraldine’s harsh rules, and his anxiety is visible when he knocks his arms against his sides. Tara’s kindness—both the even-number trick and the request for a joke—helps him recover, reinforcing the bond between aunt and nephew.

Eddie remains supportive but distant. He lends Tara his phone, truck, and debit card without hesitation, yet there is an unspoken tension between them about his lack of visits during her incarceration. This chapter hints at unresolved issues that will likely surface later.

Jeannie demonstrates loyalty and resourcefulness, risking her position in the prison commissary to obtain confidential information for Tara. Her willingness to help underscores the friendships Tara formed inside.

Gordi and Lance are portrayed as quirky but genuine. Their decision to hire Tara despite her record—after a brief moment of surprise—suggests they value talent over prejudice, offering a counterpoint to the societal stigma Tara fears.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Second Chances: Tara’s job offer represents a tangible opportunity to rebuild her life, but the background check looms as a reminder of how easily that chance can be revoked.
Criminal Record Stigma: Tara’s assumption that the background check will disqualify her reflects the broader societal barriers faced by formerly incarcerated people.
Art as Redemption: Tara’s comics, born from her mother’s fairy tales, become her ticket to employment and a creative outlet that connects her to her past.
Family Storytelling: The memory of her mother telling The Connellys of County Down—a story about siblings with special powers—highlights the importance of family narratives and their enduring influence.
Mystery Benefactor: The revelation that Brian Nolan, not her father, has been sending money introduces a new mystery and raises questions about his motives.
Financial Hardship: Tara’s reliance on Eddie’s debit card and her awareness of minimum wage underscore the family’s precarious financial situation.
Protecting a Child: Tara’s intervention on Conor’s behalf shows her commitment to shielding him from Geraldine’s harshness.
Even Numbers Superstition: Geraldine’s distress over an odd number of figurines suggests a need for order and control, which Tara cleverly subverts.
Comfort Through Humor: Tara’s request for a joke and Conor’s pun provide a moment of levity and connection amid tension.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Tara’s arc. It marks her first real step toward reintegration into society—a job that aligns with her artistic talents and offers hope for financial independence. The interview scene also challenges the stigma of a criminal record, showing that some employers are willing to look past it.

The chapter deepens the family dynamics, particularly the strained relationship between Geraldine and Conor, and Tara’s role as a mediator. The figurine incident reveals Geraldine’s fragility and Tara’s protective instincts, while the shared joke with Conor strengthens their bond.

Most importantly, the phone call from Jeannie delivers a major plot twist: the identity of Tara’s anonymous benefactor. Brian Nolan is not her father, and his involvement raises questions about his connection to the family and his intentions. This revelation sets up future conflicts and mysteries, making the chapter a turning point in the novel’s overarching plot.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Tara’s decision to disclose her prison record affect the outcome of the interview?

Tara’s disclosure initially seems to doom her chances—she expects the background check to disqualify her and prepares to leave. However, by being upfront, she earns the respect of Gordi and Lance, who appreciate her honesty. They decide to hire her anyway, showing that transparency can sometimes overcome prejudice. The outcome also highlights the arbitrary nature of background checks and the importance of giving people a chance.

2. What does the figurine incident reveal about Geraldine and Tara’s relationship?

Geraldine’s overreaction to the broken figurine reveals her need for control and her tendency to lash out at Conor, possibly stemming from her own stress or insecurities. Tara’s response—calming Geraldine, then deliberately breaking another figurine to even the count—shows her willingness to challenge Geraldine’s rigidity while also protecting Conor. The moment underscores the sisters’ differing approaches to family and discipline, and hints at underlying tensions that may surface later.

3. Why is the revelation that Brian Nolan sent the monthly deposits significant?

Tara had assumed her father was the benefactor, so the name Brian Nolan comes as a shock. This revelation introduces a new mystery: who is Brian Nolan, and why would he anonymously send money to Tara while she was in prison? It also raises concerns about parole violations, as Tara’s parole officer had warned her to investigate the deposits. The twist adds suspense and suggests that Tara’s past may be more complicated than she thought, setting up future plot developments.