Chapter Twenty
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.