Chapter 9: Six - 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

After separating from Gianna, Alfie embarks on a global walkabout, attempting to distract himself from heartbreak through dangerous stunts, including stepping onto train tracks in China and flinging himself off a cliff in the Pyrenees. When death-defying thrills fail to bring relief, he travels to the African village of his childhood. There, he reunites with Lallu, the elephant he rode as a boy, and experiences a moment of profound belonging. Inspired to return to Gianna, he goes back to New York only to find her arriving at their apartment with Mike, her college ex-boyfriend. Jealous and devastated, Alfie time-jumps to an earlier affair with Nicolette, spending two months with her in Mexico. Upon returning to Gianna, he senses her emotional withdrawal and learns she no longer wants to try for a baby. The chapter ends in present-day Nassau, where LaPorta pursues Mike as the roulette scheme's architect, while Gianna reads Alfie's notebook and admits she is his "boss."

Key Events

Alfie leaves New York after separating from Gianna and begins a solo journey across China, Spain, Australia, and the Philippines, repeatedly attempting life-threatening stunts and using his "Twice" power to escape.
He spends three months in a Malaysian monastery but cannot stop thinking about Gianna.
Alfie returns to the African village where he lived as a child. He meets the elderly pastor, who still remembers him, and prays with him, which brings back memories of his mother.
He visits the elephant Lallu, now owned by Juma, the farmer's son. Lallu recognizes Alfie, wrapping her trunk around him, and he feels a deep sense of belonging.
Inspired, Alfie returns to New York determined to reconcile with Gianna. He buys new clothes and prepares an apology.
Entering their apartment, he finds only Gianna's possessions; then she arrives with Mike, her college boyfriend. Alfie time-jumps away without confronting them.
He waits across the street and sees Mike put his arm around Gianna, shattering Alfie's hope.
Alfie buys whiskey and spends two days drinking in a hotel, then calls Gianna at midnight but hangs up when she almost answers.
In a jealous rage, he time-jumps back to the elevator with Nicolette Pink, this time letting the affair proceed. He stays with her for two months in Mexico while filming.
He returns to New York to find Gianna distant and changed. When he suggests trying for a baby, Gianna winces and says they need to talk—implying the end of their relationship.
In present-day Nassau, Detective LaPorta identifies Mike as the man who approached the roulette dealer Toussaint about the scam.
Alfie, in jail, calls LaPorta to ask if Gianna has been found, then time-jumps again to avoid waiting.
Gianna finishes reading Alfie's notebook and tearfully tells LaPorta she is the "boss" he has been writing to.

Character Development

Alfie: Reaches a moment of genuine clarity with Lallu, feeling a yearning for his innocent childhood. His subsequent jealousy and loss of Gianna drive him to make his most selfish time-jump yet—returning to Nicolette. He acknowledges his grandmother's warning about true love and begins to see the consequences of his wandering heart.
Gianna: Remains absent for most of the chapter but emerges as a person who has moved on emotionally. Her flat tone and wince at the baby question show she no longer sees Alfie as her future.
Nicolette Pink: Reveals a vulnerable side during late-night talks (abusive father, estranged mother), yet their affair remains rooted in physical sensation rather than emotional connection.
LaPorta: Tracks Mike as the scam's orchestrator, expressing frustration. He begins to suspect Alfie is not lying about his relationship with Gianna.
Lallu: Functions as a symbol of memory and belonging; her recognition of Alfie after thirty years triggers his desire to go home.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Belonging vs. Wandering: Lallu's embrace makes Alfie feel like he belongs somewhere, contrasting with his earlier restless journey.
The Unrepeatability of True Love: Alfie's grandmother explicitly warned that love cannot be done twice. The chapter demonstrates this as Gianna's feelings for him seem permanently damaged.
Splintered Heart: Alfie describes a "split" in his heart after fantasizing about Nicolette while missing Gianna. Only a whole heart can sustain true love.
Time as Escape vs. Consequence: Alfie repeatedly uses his power to flee painful moments, but each escape deepens the emotional distance between him and Gianna.
Moments That Define a Life: Alfie reflects that a single moment can turn a lifetime—specifically his midnight call to Gianna and her near-answer.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks the lowest point in Alfie and Gianna's relationship. Alfie's global journey reveals that no amount of adventure or time jumping can heal a broken heart; he must face his own failures. The reunion with Lallu provides a rare moment of authentic connection, but it is immediately undercut by the devastating image of Gianna with Mike. Alfie's decision to time-jump to Nicolette—fully indulging the affair—represents his most deliberate betrayal. The chapter also advances the Nassau plot significantly: LaPorta identifies the real conspirator (Mike), and Gianna finally learns the truth about Alfie's powers through his notebook, culminating in the revelation that she is his "boss." This sets the stage for the final confrontations of the novel.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alfie decide to return to Gianna after seeing Lallu, and how does his plan go wrong?
Alfie feels a profound sense of belonging when Lallu wraps her trunk around him, reminding him of his childhood and his bond with Gianna. He returns to New York ready to apologize and promise to be better. His plan fails because Gianna has already moved on; she arrives at their apartment with Mike, her college boyfriend, and Alfie witnesses a gesture of intimacy between them.

2. What does the grandmother's warning "love is different … it's the only thing you can't do twice" mean in the context of this chapter?
The warning suggests that even with Alfie's power to redo moments, love cannot be repaired once it is truly broken. Alfie tries to avoid the painful confrontation with Gianna and Mike by jumping to the affair with Nicolette, but when he returns, Gianna's emotional distance is permanent—she winces at the idea of trying for a baby and ultimately confirms the end of their relationship.

3. How does LaPorta's investigation shift in this chapter, and what new information does he learn about Mike?
LaPorta shows the casino surveillance footage to dealer Toussaint, who identifies Mike, not Alfie, as the man who initially approached him about the roulette scam. This confirms that Mike is the mastermind behind the cheating scheme. LaPorta then orders his team to circulate the footage and find Mike, realizing that Alfie may not be the primary target.