Chapter Twenty-eight: Whispered Screaming Practice

Summary

• The chapter titled "Whispered Screaming Practice" describes how the protagonist's family practiced being quiet after a new baby, Eugene, was brought home from the hospital.
• The practice of silent screaming was taught by their family member Harmonee, who learned it during the Korean War to stay quiet during danger.
• A contest using whispered screaming was created to motivate the children to stay quiet, with the winner receiving their favorite ramen.
• The protagonist dreams about Eugene perfecting silent screams and winning the ramen.
• The protagonist contemplates the disconnect between one's inner self and how others perceive them, especially in relation to Eugene's personality.
• The family is informed by their mother that they need to have a Zoom call with Detective Janus because the police may have found an important recording.
• The chapter raises concerns about a potentially incriminating bird-watcher recording and stresses the importance of keeping it from the police.
• The protagonist regrets not speaking up against unwarranted optimism because it led to a tactical error.
• Lawyer Shannon, who appears on their TV, advises the family to guard against emotional manipulation by Detective Janus on the upcoming call.
• Shannon instructs one of the family members, Vic, to stay out of sight during the Zoom call to avoid raising Detective Janus's suspicions about the recording.
• The protagonist feels racial implications may have influenced Shannon's request to Vic and expresses apologies to him.
• Upon joining the Zoom, Detective Janus appears bruised, prompting speculation from the protagonist about playing for sympathy.
• Detective Janus updates the family about the Covid test results and a virtual juvenile court that she suggests for Eugene.
• Shannon resists the detective's attempt to continue a prior interrogation of Eugene through a virtual session with Anjeli Rapari using a letterboard.
• Despite Detective Janus's insistence and emotional appeal to the family, Shannon stands firm on not having the detective present at Eugene's interview.
• A strained negotiation ends with a virtual session agreed to be set up by Shannon, excluding the detective, in the interests of Eugene's comfort.
• The family remains subdued and quiet in front of Eugene following their experience at Anjeli's house.
• Thoughts of the protagonist's missing father are triggered by daily routines like brushing teeth, raising questions about long-term memory and emotional associations.
• The protagonist realizes the complexity of the mysteries they face: the disappearance of their father and understanding Eugene's thoughts.
• There’s a suggestion of future accusations against Eugene and the family involving fabricated evidence.