Chapter 9: Tabitha – Therapy Session and Guardianship Conflict

⚠️ 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 has been avoiding Rhys since he reminded her that the law favors his claim to Milo’s guardianship. Despite her cold shoulder, Rhys follows her into her home office as she prepares for a scheduled Zoom call with a therapist, Dr. Trixie Bentham. He pulls up a chair and sits beside her, their faces visible but not touching on the screen.

Trixie greets them warmly and asks about their relationship, mistakenly assuming they are a couple. Both immediately deny it. Rhys identifies himself as a former friend and neighbor of Erika’s, insisting their relationship was strictly platonic. Tabitha scoffs, still convinced that Erika had romantic feelings for Rhys and that the friendship was more involved.

Trixie redirects the session toward Milo’s needs, outlining three key questions the boy will have: “How does this affect me? Am I safe? What’s happening to me next?” She advises against moving Milo from his familiar environment unless there is a concrete danger. Tabitha seizes this point to argue that uprooting Milo would be harmful. Rhys counters that he is not a Canadian citizen and his work is based in Florida, creating a legal and logistical barrier.

Trixie does not prescribe a solution but reinforces that children benefit from stability among familiar people. Tabitha’s emotions surface as she asks how to tell Milo about his mother’s death. Trixie recommends using direct language like “died” and “dead” rather than euphemisms, and provides a three-part script: explain the permanence of death, reassure him of safety and love, and identify who will care for him.

During this emotional moment, Rhys places a warm hand on Tabitha’s knee in a quiet gesture of comfort. She dislikes the intimacy but does not pull away immediately, too bewildered to react. Later she knocks his hand off, refusing to be consoled by the man she views as a threat. Despite their tensions, both agree to work together for Milo’s well-being.

Key Events

• Tabitha deliberately ignores Rhys, but he insists on sitting beside her during the therapy session.
• Dr. Trixie Bentham begins the call, clarifying she will focus on helping Milo adjust.
• Rhys states he and Erika were only platonic friends; Tabitha openly disbelieves him.
• Trixie outlines the three crucial questions a grieving child will ask.
• Tabitha argues that moving Milo would go against the therapist’s advice.
• Rhys brings up his non‑Canadian citizenship and work obligations in Florida.
• Trixie advises using precise, frank language to tell Milo about his mother’s death.
• Rhys touches Tabitha’s knee to comfort her; she later removes his hand.
• Both agree to cooperate for Milo despite their personal animosity.

Character Development

Tabitha shows a mix of fierce protectiveness and raw grief. She struggles to reconcile her anger at Erika for naming Rhys guardian with her love for her sister. Her avoidance of Rhys and desire to grieve in private reveal a woman who uses food and work to distract herself from pain. The therapy session forces her to confront her own doubts and, for a moment, accept physical comfort from Rhys—even though she rejects it afterward.

Rhys appears uncomfortable in the therapy setting but demonstrates genuine care for Milo by asking specific practical questions. His claim of a platonic relationship with Erika is stated clearly, though Tabitha’s skepticism invites uncertainty. His spontaneous gesture of touching Tabitha’s knee hints at an emotional attunement that contradicts his earlier coldness.

Dr. Trixie Bentham serves as a calm, impartial guide. She steers the conversation away from the adults’ conflict and toward Milo’s emotional needs. Her straightforward advice—using words like “death” and “died”—gives both Tabitha and Rhys a concrete plan.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and Anger – Tabitha’s internal conflict is central. She is furious with Erika for leaving Milo to a stranger but devastated that she feels anger at a deceased loved one. This mixed emotion makes her defensive and unwilling to show vulnerability.

Control vs. Surrender – Both Tabitha and Rhys want control over Milo’s future, yet neither can fully dictate terms. The therapy session highlights the limits of their power. Tabitha cannot stop Rhys’s legal claim; Rhys cannot ignore Trixie’s professional advice that stability matters most.

Communication and Truth – The chapter emphasizes directness. Trixie insists on using unambiguous language with Milo. By contrast, Tabitha and Rhys communicate through veiled accusations and physical gestures—touch, foot‑grinding, glaring—rather than honest conversation.

Physical Touch as Unspoken Dialogue – Rhys’s hand on Tabitha’s knee is a silent act of support that startles her. She responds with a childish physical retaliation (grinding her heel on his foot). These non‑verbal exchanges reveal more than their spoken words.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 9 is the first time Tabitha and Rhys are forced into a cooperative situation rather than avoiding each other. The therapy session introduces a professional perspective on Milo’s well‑being, shifting the narrative from a personal custody battle to a shared responsibility for a grieving child. Trixie’s advice becomes a framework for the coming chapters: the characters must learn to communicate clearly and prioritize Milo’s needs over their own animosity.

The chapter also deepens the mystery of Erika’s relationship with Rhys. Tabitha’s disbelief leaves room for the reader to question whether Rhys is being truthful. This ambiguity fuels ongoing tension and character development.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Tabitha react so strongly to Rhys’s hand on her knee during the therapy session?
Tabitha is in a vulnerable emotional state, grieving Erika and fearing she will lose Milo. Rhys’s touch catches her off guard because it is unexpectedly gentle and attuned to her distress. She wants to maintain distance from him—both physically and emotionally. Accepting comfort would blur the lines of their adversarial relationship, so she later pushes his hand away to reassert control.

2. What is the significance of Trixie’s advice to use direct language like “died” rather than euphemisms?
Trixie explains that euphemisms can confuse a young child and cause unnecessary anxiety. For example, saying a person is “sick” might make Milo worry about his own minor illnesses. Direct language gives Milo a clear, honest understanding of death’s permanence, which is essential for healthy grieving. This advice also mirrors the need for honesty between the adults.

3. How does Rhys’s citizenship status become a point of conflict, and what does it reveal about his character?
Rhys mentions he is not a Canadian citizen and his work requires travel. This creates a practical barrier to staying in Rose Hill. By stating this, he shows he is aware of real‑world limitations, but Tabitha interprets it as prioritizing his career over Milo. The conflict reveals that Rhys’s character is pragmatic, but his blunt delivery makes him appear indifferent—even though he later asks Trixie for concrete phrasing, indicating genuine concern.

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