Chapter Twenty

Contains spoilers

Summary

  • Ben, the narrator, is coping with his father's death while life goes on, with his friend Nia doing her assignments at his living room.
  • Ben’s mother decides to have Ben's uncle handle funeral arrangements to spare Ben the burden.
  • Ben and Nia talk about their nostalgia for school and then watch a thriller series together called The Cabin Plan.
  • Ben struggles to find a picture of his father on his phone, reminiscing on his dad's condition and cherishing the memory of his smile despite his illness.
  • Shu, a friend, visits with comfort food and they discuss work leave policies for grieving, feeling the inadequacy of the time given.
  • Ben’s mother inquires about Shu, demanding to know more about her, hinting at her protective nature and need for control.
  • Shu and Ben share a moment smoking joints, and Shu expresses her belief in God as a comfort beyond human failings.
  • When Shu leaves, Ben feels the silence intensely and screams into his jumper to release pent-up emotion.
  • Nia and Ben cook, go shopping, and they continue to watch The Cabin Plan together.
  • Ben receives a condolence message from someone named Penny expressing support.
  • Ben is skipping meals and self-reflects on his low instances of crying, feeling guilty for moments of normalcy.
  • Ben and Nia go on a walk to the store, prompting a conversation about their fathers and dealing with grief and regret.
  • Ben grapples with his own regrets about not spending more time with his father before his passing.
  • Nia reassures Ben that no one is the perfect child, indicating that their parents might have viewed them as such despite their imperfections.
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