If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Sixty-Four
by McCauley, KyrieThe chapter opens with the stark image of red and blue police lights flashing against the worn siding of a house, symbolizing a fractured version of the American dream. The cold night and the narrator’s protective grasp on a smaller hand emphasize a feeling of vulnerability and tension. The arrival of Officer Bill DiMarco marks a turning point, as the narrator anxiously wonders whether their father will be released again, only to see him handcuffed and taken away. The scene conveys a deep sense of fear and the harsh reality of their family’s situation.
As the situation unfolds, a second officer contacts a judge to obtain an emergency protection order, highlighting the procedural challenges posed by the holiday timing. The temporary order will remain in effect until a formal hearing can be held after the new year, barring the father from the home and requiring him to surrender his firearm within twenty-four hours of release. This legal intervention introduces a fragile sense of safety and control amid ongoing uncertainty. The family’s cautious hope is underscored by the official actions taken to protect them.
Officer DiMarco’s discomfort and awkward apology to the narrator reveal the emotional weight of involvement in such personal and painful circumstances. His acknowledgment of the narrator’s essay, which presumably detailed their lived experience, contrasts with the narrator’s exhaustion and skepticism toward adult apologies. The interaction reflects a complex mix of empathy and helplessness from those tasked with enforcing the law, as well as the narrator’s guarded response to these gestures.
The chapter closes with a moment of quiet resilience. The narrator’s mother remains resolute, and for the first time in a long while, the narrator feels genuinely heard and possibly safe. This fleeting reassurance, born from the protection order and the presence of law enforcement, offers a glimpse of hope amid hardship. The final sentiment captures the bittersweet relief of feeling protected, even if only temporarily, in a situation shaped by fear and uncertainty.
FAQs
1. What events lead to the involvement of Officer Bill DiMarco and other authorities in the chapter, and how do they respond to the situation?
Answer:
The chapter depicts a tense and cold night where red and blue lights flash on the siding of a house, signaling a police response. Officer Bill DiMarco arrives first to handle a situation involving the narrator’s father, who is placed in handcuffs and taken into custody. Another officer contacts a judge at home to request an emergency protection order, highlighting the urgency and severity of the situation. The temporary order restricts the father from contacting or being near the family and requires him to surrender his firearm within 24 hours of release. Officer DiMarco shows discomfort and empathy, especially after reading the narrator’s essay, yet maintains professional detachment. The authorities act decisively to protect the family, balancing legal procedures with immediate safety concerns.2. How does the narrator describe their emotional and physical state during the police intervention, and what does this reveal about their experience?
Answer:
The narrator describes feeling panicked, exhausted, and freezing in the cold, with their hands wrapped around a smaller hand, likely a sibling or child, emphasizing vulnerability and the need for protection. The panic arises from uncertainty about whether the father will be detained or released again, reflecting the trauma of past experiences. The narrator also expresses skepticism toward Officer DiMarco’s apology, indicating a weariness of “halfhearted atonements” from adults who have failed them before. This emotional complexity reveals a deep exhaustion from living in a threatening environment and a guarded hope for safety. The physical coldness parallels their emotional chill, underscoring the harshness of their reality.3. What significance does the emergency protection order hold for the family, and how does it alter their sense of safety?
Answer:
The emergency protection order is a critical legal measure that temporarily bars the father from the house and the family members, providing a formal safeguard against further harm. It also mandates the surrender of firearms, reducing the risk of violence. For the family, this order represents a tangible step toward safety and control over their environment, something they have long lacked. The narrator notes that, for the first time in a long time, they feel heard and possibly safe, underscoring the emotional relief and hope the order brings. While the narrator remains cautious about the future, the order marks a turning point in their lived experience of fear and vulnerability.4. Analyze Officer DiMarco’s behavior and attitude during the intervention. What does his response suggest about the challenges law enforcement faces in domestic situations?
Answer:
Officer DiMarco’s behavior is marked by discomfort and a desire to distance himself from the situation, as indicated by his shifting feet and apparent wish to be “anywhere else.” His apology after reading the narrator’s essay suggests empathy and an understanding of the pain involved, yet his professional role requires him to act impartially and enforce the law. This duality highlights the emotional and ethical challenges police face when intervening in domestic conflicts, where personal feelings must be balanced with procedural duties. DiMarco’s promise to deliver the protection order personally reflects a commitment to the family’s welfare beyond mere protocol, illustrating the complex human dimension of law enforcement work in sensitive cases.5. Reflecting on this chapter, what does the phrase “A different kind of American dream” imply about the family’s experience and broader social issues?
Answer:
The phrase “A different kind of American dream” juxtaposed with the flashing police lights and the family’s distress suggests a stark contrast between the idealized vision of safety, prosperity, and freedom and the harsh reality faced by the family. Instead of comfort and security, their “dream” involves survival, protection from domestic violence, and navigating the legal system to assert their rights. This phrase invites reflection on systemic issues such as domestic abuse, the limits of social support, and the disparities in access to safety and justice. It challenges readers to reconsider the American dream’s inclusivity and the societal obligations to protect vulnerable families from cycles of violence.
Quotes
1. “RED AND BLUE LIGHTS FLASH ON the worn, once-white siding of the house. Red, blue, and gray. A different kind of American dream.”
This opening line sets the scene with vivid imagery that contrasts the idealized notion of the American dream with a stark reality marked by emergency and distress. It encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of domestic turmoil and societal challenges.
2. “Officer Bill DiMarco is the first to arrive. When I see him, I feel that thing trapped in my chest panicking. Will he just let him go again? But he doesn’t. He puts him in handcuffs. He acts like he doesn’t even know him.”
This passage highlights the tension and uncertainty surrounding law enforcement’s response to repeated domestic incidents. It marks a turning point in the narrative where accountability begins to take hold, underscoring themes of protection and justice.
3. “Another officer arrives and calls a judge at home, waking him to request an emergency protection order… If he’s released before that, the order bars him from the house and any of us. And according to the order, he has twenty-four hours upon release to surrender his firearm.”
This quote reveals the legal mechanisms activated to ensure safety and protection for the family, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the role of the judicial system in intervening during crises.
4. ““I read the essay, Leighton. I’m sorry. I, uh—I’m just sorry. That was really hard to read.” “It was really hard to live in.””
This exchange captures the emotional weight carried by the narrator and the acknowledgment of that pain by an authority figure. It poignantly conveys the lived experience behind the written words, deepening the reader’s empathy and understanding.
5. “I don’t think about tomorrow. I don’t think about the possibility that she could change her mind again. Tonight, for the first time in a long time, I feel like we’ve been heard. I feel like maybe we are safe. And it feels so damn good.”
The closing reflection expresses a hard-won sense of hope and security, marking a moment of emotional relief and potential healing. It underscores the chapter’s central theme of seeking and attaining safety amid hardship.