Chapter 23 by Chris
Characters:Ruth
Ray
Susie
Abigail
Lindsey
Hal
Samuel
Jack
Buckley
Ruana
Grandma Lyn
Places:Hospital
Salmon’s House
Memorable Quotes:1. When they reached the lobby and the doors opened I knew they were meant to be there, the four of them together, alone. – Susie page 314
2. “I love you Susie” – Abigail page 317
3. “All of it, the story of my life and death, was hers if she chose to tell it, even to one person at a time.” – Susie page 321
Summary:Ruth and Ray spent the night together, the day before had changed so many things, and opened so many doors. In the middle of the night, Ray takes Susie’s advice and reads Ruth’s journal while she sleeps, what he discovers leaves him cold inside.
Jack is being discharged from the hospital today. Susie watches her family, cram in the elevator, and with all their faults and issues, she can see the family bonds repairing themselves…everything is as it is meant to be.
The family gathers back at the house, while they were at the hospital Samuel and Hal set up Buckley’s new drum set. Something is in the atmosphere around the family, like time finally healing wounds and the excitement of being together again. Abigail is beginning to see that she can stay, that she belongs there. Lindsey is wary of her mother, and she is very forward about asking if her mother is going to hurt her father again…Abigail promises she will try her hardest not too.
Ruana, Ray and Ruth decide to bring a homemade pie over to the Salmon’s. The family and friends gather in the living room and just enjoy each others company. Ruana asks Abigail to join her again sometime for a cigarette break. Susie observes the family she loves dearly and begins to see that they are finally moving on and living in the present, she knows that no one will know that she has finally moved on and left them…but that’s ok because they will always remember her, as she will them. So many difficult times for these people Susie dearly loves and now she can finally be at peace knowing they are too…
Questions for consideration:
1. How do you think Ray feels about Ruth’s secrets? What will happen to them in the future, will they end up together?
2. Do you believe that Abigail is once again acknowledging her daughters death and admitting her guilt, as well as her infinite affection for Susie?
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