Chapter Fourteen: Pretty Fucking Far from Okay

Summary

• The protagonist experiences an emotional paralysis after seeing a concerning text, a condition likened to autistic traits where numerous thoughts create a "traffic jam" in the brain.
• They attempt to process the information from Kenny's text, which includes a picture with various implications, spurring multiple reactive questions and demands.
• The protagonist notices their companion, John, also reacting with confusion and concern to the image, which appears to be of their father with broken glasses.
• John aggressively presses Kenny for more details on the phone, revealing his feelings of betrayal by Kenny's attitude towards the news of their missing father.
• The protagonist considers the social dynamics of friendships and how those close to you may sometimes be treated with less niceness.
• Discussion ensues about the source of the picture, leading to speculation about an incident involving their father and suggestions of involvement by Eugene, the protagonist's brother who has an autism-related condition.
• Fears are raised about a "mommy blogger" possibly posting the picture and video, potentially implicating Eugene and their father in an "incident" from the previous day.
• The protagonist is adept at reverse search technology, a skill honed from mitigating issues like catfishing at college, and uses it to try and find the original video source.
• They receive and review more pages from their missing father's research notebook, prompting thoughts on the nature of happiness relating to counterintuitive case studies.
• The protagonist's musings lead them to consider whether their father's study of happiness stemmed from personal struggles or philosophical curiosity.
• The chapter juxtaposes the protagonist's analytical reflections with the immediate crisis of their situation, switching between deep thought and practical concerns.
• They proceed with apprehension to the police station where they note details about the receptionist, the lawyer, and the police environment.
• The receptionist offers personal opinions on Detective Janus, handling their father's case, further complicating the protagonist's perception of trust in the officials involved.
• The lawyer, Shannon, despite her soft appearance and demeanor, reveals her tactical awareness and ability to handle confrontation with Detective Janus.
• The intake hearing for the protagonist's brother Eugene is about to begin, with Shannon emphasizing Eugene's special needs as a defense in the criminal charge.
• During all these interactions, reflections continue about the recent joyful family moments, now contrasted with their current crisis and emotional turmoil.