The Hamptons Lawyer Chapter 85 Summary: Good News and a Hummingbird
⚠️ 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 leaving Fellingham’s, where she told Jimmy not to do anything reckless with Sonny Blum, the narrator returns home to find her boyfriend, Ben Kalinsky, already there. Ben has walked and fed their dog Rip and is watching a Knicks preseason game with a glass of red wine. They banter about the Knicks and Allen Reese, a topic Ben learned about via phone alert. The narrator then shares the news she has been saving: her tumor has shrunk. Ben, overwhelmed with joy, kisses her passionately. He suggests celebrating, implying more than wine, and then leaves for surgery.
The next morning, the narrator is on her back patio after walking and feeding Rip and having coffee and a toasted flagel with cream cheese. She notices a female hummingbird – a dull green “stray” – hovering near the feeder. Hummingbirds usually leave before October, but she keeps the feeder full anyway. She watches the bird drink and then disappear. She tells herself she’ll see it in the spring, when she still plans to be alive. Smiling, she walks inside, taking another win and hoping she’s on a roll.
Key Events
- The narrator returns from Fellingham’s and finds Ben waiting at home.
- Ben has already taken care of Rip and is watching a Knicks game.
- The narrator reveals her tumor has shrunk, leading to an emotional embrace.
- Ben leaves for surgery after suggesting a celebration.
- The next morning, the narrator spots a late-season female hummingbird at the feeder.
- She watches the bird until it flies away, feeling hopeful about surviving until spring.
Character Development
The Narrator – The chapter shows a shift from guarded hope to open joy. She trusted Ben enough to share her medical news in person, and the next morning she allows herself to feel genuine optimism. The hummingbird sighting deepens her resolve to keep living.
Ben Kalinsky – His reaction – from stunned silence to a passionate kiss – reveals his deep emotional investment. Normally composed (“implacable and unflappable”), he nearly tears up, showing vulnerability. His immediate call to celebrate underscores his devotion.
Jimmy (mentioned) – His response to the narrator’s warning – “That ship sailed a long time ago” – reinforces his reckless nature and ongoing conflict with Sonny Blum.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Hope and Resilience – The chapter is built around good news after a long struggle. The tumor shrinking is a literal sign of recovery, and the narrator’s determination to feed the hummingbird despite the odds mirrors her own fight to live.
The Hummingbird as Symbol – The female hummingbird, arriving after the usual migration time, represents unexpected grace and survival. The narrator identifies with it: a “stray” that still appears, beautiful and fleeting. The bird’s departure is not final; the narrator resolves to see it again in spring, echoing her own hope for the future.
Routine and Care – Small acts – walking Rip, keeping the feeder full, toasting a bagel – ground the narrator in normal life, making her crisis feel manageable. Ben caring for the dog and the narrator drinking coffee show how domestic rituals sustain them.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 85 is an emotional pivot in the story. The tumor-reduction news shifts the narrator’s trajectory from uncertainty toward cautious optimism. The scene with Ben strengthens their relationship as they share a moment of pure joy. The hummingbird encounter provides a quiet, lyrical conclusion that ties the theme of survival to a tangible, natural image. This chapter balances plot progression (the ongoing Sonny Blum thread) with introspective character growth, reminding readers that hope can surface even in small, everyday moments.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does the narrator wait to tell Ben the news in person?
She wants the moment to be intimate and meaningful, not mediated by a phone call. It shows she values their connection and wants to share the emotional weight together. -
What does the hummingbird represent in this chapter?
The hummingbird symbolizes persistence and unexpected survival. Its late appearance mirrors the narrator’s own defiance of odds, and she links her future to the bird’s return in spring. -
How does Ben’s reaction reveal his character?
Ben, usually calm and composed, is visibly shaken – his eyes grow deeper and he nearly cries. This shows his deep love and fear of losing the narrator, making him more vulnerable and human.