Chapter Twenty-two: Please Please PLEASE Stop

Summary

• The chapter titled "Please Please PLEASE Stop" opens with the protagonist's family finding out about fraudulent activity with Dad's ATM card.
• The family learns that a couple resembling Dad and another woman, Anjeli, were stopped by security while trying to use the card in Charlottesville.
• The main character and their brother Eugene are deeply troubled by the thought that their father may have willingly abandoned them.
• The protagonist's mother comforts Eugene by assuring him that the authorities are close to catching Dad and Anjeli.
• Detective Janus, who has been injured in a previous encounter, is waiting for the family with updates on the case.
• Detective Janus reveals that the couple in custody using Dad's debit card do not match his and Anjeli's descriptions.
• The main character is frustrated and angry because of the inaccurate identification and the subsequent emotional rollercoaster.
• A mangled wallet, presumably belonging to the protagonist's father, is shown to the family, raising concerns about his wellbeing.
• A story emerges from the man in custody, suggesting that he found Dad's wallet near a riverside forest.
• Dad's disappearance continues to be mysterious, with various possibilities discussed, such as robbery or an accident in the wilderness.
• Detective Janus expands the search area but requests the family remain behind and instead reach out for more volunteer searchers.
• The protagonist feels guilt for not personally searching for their dad and also resentment when Eugene is ignored by authorities.
• As the family begins to mobilize their community for the search, the main character's interactions with friends both online and off provide a mix of genuine support and superficial engagement.
• Feelings of anger and envy towards others' ability to move on from the situation are highlighted by the protagonist's experience with their high school orchestra's group chat.
• The protagonist exits the orchestra's group chat in a moment of frustration with their peers' apparent indifference.
• A message from Dad, sent before he went missing, displays his loving yet overbearing social media behavior towards the protagonist.
• The chapter concludes with shocking news received via voicemail which suggests that Eugene has been exposed to COVID-19, adding another complication to an already chaotic situation.