Chapter 42: Ryder Faces His Father's Parole

⚠️ 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 months of dodging his father's former prosecutor, Ryder finally returns Peter Greene's call. Greene informs him that his father is up for parole due to good behavior in prison. Ryder refuses to attend the parole hearing in person, snapping at Greene not to call him "Luke." He agrees to provide a written statement only. Still seething, Ryder goes to Gigi's dorm for their dinner-and-movie plans, but he cannot shake his anger. Gigi notices his mood and presses him, but Ryder pushes back, insisting he does not want to talk. An argument erupts when Gigi calls him Luke, and Ryder harshly tells her not to use that name. Hurt and frustrated, Gigi tells him to leave, and he does.

Key Events

• Ryder returns a phone call from lawyer Peter Greene after months of avoidance
• Greene explains that Ryder's father is up for parole; a personal statement from Ryder could prevent release
• Ryder adamantly refuses to appear at the hearing, offering only a written statement
• Ryder corrects Greene for calling him Luke, reinforcing that he no longer uses that name
• Ryder arrives at Gigi's dorm but is visibly upset and unable to engage
• Gigi tries to get Ryder to open up; he deflects and finally snaps when she calls him Luke
• The argument escalates, and Gigi orders Ryder to leave

Character Development

Ryder (Luke Graham): This chapter exposes the raw nerve of Ryder's traumatic past. His father's possible parole forces him to confront his childhood abuse, and his instinct is to shut down entirely. His refusal to be called Luke underscores a fierce rejection of his former identity—the boy connected to that family. Ryder's inability to share his pain with Gigi reveals his deep emotional guardedness; he fears vulnerability more than he fears the conflict itself.

Gigi: Gigi demonstrates patience and empathy, but she also refuses to be a doormat. When Ryder lashes out, she stands her ground and calls him out for being an asshole. Her frustration is understandable, and her final dismissal shows she respects herself enough not to absorb his anger.

Peter Greene: The lawyer serves as a catalyst, representing the legal system and the inescapable truth of Ryder's past. He persists despite Ryder's avoidance, forcing the confrontation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Name as Identity: The repeated correction "Don't call me that" ties Ryder's rejection of his birth name to his rejection of his father and the pain that name represents. Luke is a relic of a childhood he wants to erase.
• Control and Avoidance: Ryder tries to control the situation by limiting his involvement to a written statement and by physically leaving Gigi's dorm when emotions become too intense. His avoidance is a coping mechanism for trauma.
• Confinement and Parole: The father's prison sentence and possible release parallel Ryder's own emotional imprisonment. Even with the father behind bars, Ryder remains trapped in the past.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 42 is a turning point for Ryder's character arc. It brings his buried history to the surface and forces him to decide how much of himself he is willing to share with Gigi. The argument between them creates a rift that will test their relationship. The chapter also raises the stakes for the upcoming parole hearing, promising future conflict and emotional reckoning.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ryder refuse to attend the parole hearing in person?
Ryder's father abused him throughout childhood, and seeing him in person would retraumatize him. Ryder says he would rather risk his father's release than be in the same room with him.

2. What does the name "Luke" represent in this chapter?
"Luke" is Ryder's birth name, the name his father used. Ryder associates it with pain and powerlessness. By insisting on "Ryder," he claims control over his identity and distances himself from his father.

3. Why does Gigi ask Ryder to leave at the end of the chapter?
Gigi tries to be supportive, but Ryder's harsh tone and refusal to explain himself frustrate her. She is hurt by his behavior and decides that having him leave is healthier than continuing a one-sided fight.

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