Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult
Year
2022
Pages
509
Contents
Olivia 7
Summary
- Olivia, the first-person narrator of the chapter, begins by experiencing a vivid and distressing dream involving her and her son Asher.
- She wakes up and follows her morning routine, but is shocked to find the word "murderer" painted on her barn.
- Olivia is questioned by Detective Mike Newcomb about the vandalism, and Mike expresses sympathy for her current situation.
- Olivia and her housemate Jordan have a heated exchange about the involvement of the police in the vandalism incident.
- Olivia reflects on her past conversations and wonders if she's protecting Asher or convincing herself that he needs protection.
- Olivia finds Asher outside, cleaning the red paint off the barn wall, reflecting on his character.
- In court, Olivia assesses Ava Campanello, the mother of Lily, who Asher is accused of murdering, as Ava testifies about her daughter and her transition.
- Lily's mother explains Lily's difficult past, her transition, and the impact of her ex-husband's rejection on Lily.
- Ava suggests to the court that Lily feared Asher would react negatively to the revelation that she was transgender.
- Olivia recalls telling her abusive ex-husband about her pregnancy with Asher and reflects on her decision to finally leave him.
- Olivia admits to herself that she hid the abuse from her ex-husband out of love and fear, and draws parallels with Lily's mother's secrecy about Lily's gender identity.
- The courtroom drama unfolds and Ava testifies, implying that Lily was afraid to tell Asher the truth about her gender identity.
- Jordan, Olivia's brother and Asher's defense attorney, cross-examines Ava, and the trial takes an emotional turn.
- Olivia expresses doubts and speculations about Asher's innocence and the complexity of their relationship.
- The court hearings continue, with witness testimony and heated courtroom exchanges that shed light on the events surrounding Lily's murder and Asher's character.
- Jordan's strategy in the courtroom includes not putting Asher on the stand and questioning the State's narrative.
- Witness testimonies bring up past incidents and raise questions about Asher's behavior, leading to an outburst from him in court.
- At home, Olivia engages in beekeeping activities and contemplates the bees' new beginning, inviting a silent communion with Asher.
- Olivia and Asher share a moment reflecting on the complexity of truth and disclosure in relationships.