Chapter 7 (Chapter 5): Tabitha – 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
Tabitha watches her three-year-old nephew Milo discover a caterpillar on her property, finding bittersweet joy in his wonder and seeing echoes of her late sister Erika in his face. She has not yet told Milo that his mother has died and plans to consult a therapist that afternoon for guidance on how to break the news. Suddenly, Rhys Dupris—the man named in the will—appears uninvited. Milo recognizes him, running to him and calling him “Ree.” Rhys catches the boy with clear affection, leaving Tabitha shaken. When Milo returns to show the caterpillar, Tabitha confronts Rhys about his unexpected visit. She reveals that Milo stays with her often and also visits his grandparents, contrary to what Rhys may have believed. Tabitha mentions her upcoming therapy appointment and invites Rhys to join, sarcastically welcoming him to “the shit show.” Milo, thrilled about a sleepover at his grandparents’ house, declares it the best day ever—oblivious to the tension between the adults.
Key Events
- Tabitha teaches Milo about a caterpillar and its metamorphosis into a spotted tussock moth.
- Rhys Dupris appears at the edge of the property, glaring.
- Milo recognizes Rhys, calls him “Ree,” and jumps into his arms.
- Tabitha confronts Rhys about his unscheduled arrival.
- Tabitha explains that Milo regularly stays with her and his grandparents.
- She reveals her appointment with a therapist to discuss telling Milo about his mother’s death.
- Tabitha sarcastically invites Rhys to join the therapy session.
- Milo packs his bag for a sleepover at his grandparents’ house and joyfully declares it the best day ever.
Character Development
- Tabitha shows fierce protectiveness, grief, and determination. She struggles with her emotions but stands her ground against Rhys. Her commitment to Milo is evident in her proactive therapy plans and her role as a bridge between Milo and his grandparents.
- Rhys Dupris surprises Tabitha by revealing his affection for Milo—he catches the boy tenderly and admits missing him. His earlier assumptions about Tabitha and the grandparents are challenged, showing a potential for growth.
- Milo remains innocent and affectionate, unaware of the custody threat. His easy familiarity with Rhys raises questions about their prior relationship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Metamorphosis and growth: The caterpillar-to-moth process mirrors the characters’ need for transformation—Tabitha must find a way to tell Milo the truth, Rhys must reconsider his judgments, and Milo must adapt to loss.
- Family secrets and estrangement: Tabitha reveals that Erika was cut off from their parents, and Tabitha served as a bridge to ensure Milo had a relationship with them. This hidden history complicates the custody conflict.
- Unspoken grief: Tabitha’s observation that Milo resembles Erika, combined with her difficulty telling him the news, underscores the weight of loss that pervades the chapter.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the central conflict by introducing the emotional dimension of Rhys’s relationship with Milo. Tabitha’s protective stance is tested when she sees that Milo already loves Rhys. The therapy appointment signals her responsible yet vulnerable approach to grief. The chapter also reveals family fractures that may affect the custody battle, moving the plot from legal tension to personal stakes.
3 Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tabitha decide to see a therapist before telling Milo about his mother’s death?
She wants professional guidance to “say the correct things, support him in the best way possible,” and give Milo what he needs. She is aware that this news will devastate him and wants to minimize trauma.
2. What does Milo’s reaction to Rhys reveal about their relationship?
Milo runs to Rhys without hesitation, calls him “Ree,” and says he missed him. This suggests a preexisting bond, contradicting Tabitha’s assumption that Rhys was a stranger to Milo.
3. How does Tabitha’s role as a “bridge” between Milo and his grandparents complicate the custody issue?
Tabitha acted as the intermediary because Erika was estranged from her parents. If Rhys gains custody, Milo could lose not only Tabitha but also his relationship with his grandparents, raising the emotional stakes beyond a simple legal transfer.