Chapter 10 of All the Colors of the Dark begins with Saint riding her bicycle down Main Street in the small town of Monta Clare, nestled deep within a valley and surrounded by lush, vibrant greenery. The town, with its winding streets, feels like a tranquil escape, yet as she pedals toward the Meyer estate, Saint is aware of the shifting atmosphere. The warm hues of the grand homes lining the street momentarily captivate her, with their well-maintained gardens full of blooming Virginia bluebells and butterfly weed. As the incline grows steeper, however, her effort begins to take its toll. The bike, which once served as a means of freedom, becomes more of a burden, and Saint decides to abandon it. She opts instead to hike the rest of the way up the hill, her mind full of concern for her friend Misty, Patch’s daughter, whose well-being is now her primary focus.

Reaching the estate, Saint is struck by the stark contrast between the grandiosity of the Meyer house and the emotional turmoil she feels within. The house stands tall with its stucco façade and leaded glass windows, offering a sense of wealth and power. However, this external display of affluence does little to ease the tension inside Saint’s chest as she anxiously wonders about Misty’s condition. She approaches the front door with a mixture of hope and dread, only for it to open unexpectedly, revealing Mr. Meyer. His exhausted demeanor, coupled with the glazed, unfocused look in his eyes, immediately tells Saint that this is a man weighed down by immense emotional burden. Despite their prior relationship, the interaction between them is distant, and it becomes apparent that Mr. Meyer is not able to connect with the present reality of his daughter’s life or her relationship with Saint.

The brief exchange that follows is emotionally heavy, filled with a sense of detachment. Mr. Meyer, acknowledging Saint only in the most indifferent way, confirms that Misty is resting but offers no further information. His coldness is not born of malice but rather of an inability to process the depth of what has happened. His suggestion that Saint return home seems to stem from a place of exhaustion, both physical and emotional. Saint stands there, caught between the imposing architecture of the house and the weight of loss that seems to hang in the air. Her thoughts race as she remembers Patch Macauley’s sacrifices to protect his daughter and how his actions reflected the fierce love he had for her. She cannot help but draw a parallel between Patch’s willingness to go to great lengths to shield Misty and the profound sadness she sees in Mr. Meyer’s eyes—a man who, despite having wealth, cannot seem to protect the ones he loves from the harsh realities of life.

Saint’s mind continues to race as she considers the state of things. She feels a deep sense of urgency to speak with Misty, but Mr. Meyer, unmoved by her pleas, insists that she wait until Misty has had time to rest. The dismissal feels like a final blow, the door between them closing with a soft click that echoes loudly in Saint’s mind. It’s a moment that forces her to confront a painful truth: wealth and material possessions, no matter how impressive or grand, do not protect against emotional devastation. The coldness of Mr. Meyer’s response further highlights the distinction between outward appearances and the emotional isolation that can exist even within the walls of a grand home. His fear and anxiety, though unspoken, are palpable, and they fill the space between them, making it difficult for Saint to breathe.

As the door shuts, Saint is left standing on the doorstep, consumed by a mix of emotions. She feels the heaviness of the Meyer family’s grief and the sharp sting of their emotional distance. The palpable fear in Mr. Meyer’s demeanor lingers in the air, and Saint finds herself grappling with the profound sense of helplessness that has taken over. The chapter not only highlights the contrast between wealth and emotional loss but also reveals the complexities of the relationships within the Meyer family. In this moment, Saint’s personal turmoil intertwines with the Meyer family’s grief, creating a poignant scene filled with unresolved tension and the painful realization that even in the face of great privilege, emotional scars are not easily healed.

The chapter concludes with a powerful reminder of the fragility of human connections. It underscores how the experience of loss and the fear that accompanies it can cut across social and financial boundaries. Saint’s desire to help Misty, to provide her with comfort and support, contrasts sharply with Mr. Meyer’s apparent emotional shutdown, leaving the young girl to reflect on the deeper meaning of loss, love, and the human condition. What becomes evident is that wealth and status are no shield against the heartache that life can bring. The emotional distance between Saint and Mr. Meyer, despite their shared history, marks a key moment in this chapter, pushing Saint to further confront the complexities of family, grief, and hope as she navigates her own emotional journey in a world filled with uncertainty and sorrow.