Chapter 2 of All the Colors of the Dark begins with an air of urgency as Joseph hurries to the door, eagerly anticipating news from his school. However, before he can open it, his mother, Ivy, stops him, holding a letter with a St. Louis postmark. She presses the letter to her lips, her gesture soft and filled with nostalgia, a sign of something long past. This letter, sent from her interview at the botanical garden a month earlier, takes her back to that day. While Ivy had been focused on her own aspirations, Joseph had quietly watched the world around him, particularly the families gathered under the shade of Tower Grove House. Their lives seemed symmetrical and full of warmth, contrasting sharply with his own family’s transient and unpredictable existence.

Though their living situation in Monta Clare has always been temporary, it’s beginning to feel more like home. Ivy’s voice rings out with fervor as she makes bold declarations about women’s liberation, playing loud Bob Dylan songs that echo through the house. These acts of defiance highlight her desire to assert herself in a world that seems to be constantly shifting beneath her feet. Joseph, however, finds himself thinking about resilience, often recalling the story of the legendary pirate Black Bart Roberts, who was captured but never broken. This tale serves as a quiet reflection of his own life. Joseph often feels like he is being ground down by the weight of his mother’s struggles, but in a way, he admires her persistence. Every night, as part of his routine, he lifts dumbbells until his arms ache, a physical reminder of his attempt to outgrow the painful chapters of his youth.

Ivy, who has always been a steady presence in Joseph’s life, begins to notice something troubling: a bruise on his cheekbone, clearly a result of the latest fight he has been involved in. Her concern is apparent, her brow furrowing as she tenderly adjusts his clothing. She looks at him, reminding him of his importance, urging him not to get into more trouble. This conversation between mother and son is laced with both care and tension. Ivy’s protectiveness comes through as she tries to shield him from the dangers of the world while grappling with her own fears about what their future holds. She speaks to him about starting fresh at his new school, hoping that this will be a turning point for him. In a moment of vulnerability, Ivy pleads with Joseph, asking him to promise that he will avoid further conflict—especially after a recent unsettling encounter with a woman who had given Ivy a disapproving glance, a subtle yet powerful indication that others are beginning to take notice of their fractured life.

While Joseph tries to remain lighthearted, cracking jokes about pirates and their tumultuous lives, his internal struggle is evident. He feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, even as he attempts to brush it off. The dynamic between them grows more complicated as Ivy prepares herself to face the authorities. She knows that their turbulent lives have drawn attention, and the fear of what could happen if they are discovered weighs heavily on her mind. Ignoring the danger lurking in the shadows might have serious consequences, but facing it head-on is equally daunting. She wonders how much of Joseph’s life she has truly seen and understood, realizing that the bond between them is both fragile and complex.

The underlying tension between Ivy and Joseph becomes more apparent as the chapter progresses. Ivy’s protective instincts are in direct conflict with her desire to carve out a new life for herself and her son. Joseph, on the other hand, feels caught between his desire for freedom and the knowledge that his actions are beginning to shape his future in ways he doesn’t fully understand. This push and pull between mother and son speaks to a deeper emotional struggle, where both are trying to balance their individual needs with the realities of their circumstances. Ivy’s internal conflict is made more poignant by the fact that she’s trying to shield Joseph from the dangers of their situation, but at the same time, she is confronting her own fears about their future. The chapter closes on a note of uncertainty, as both Ivy and Joseph are left to grapple with the complexity of their relationship and the challenges that lie ahead. This sense of foreboding hints at the emotional turbulence that will unfold in the chapters to come, and the ongoing struggle between protecting one’s loved ones and facing the harsh truths of life. Through their conversations and actions, the reader gains a deeper understanding of the fragile nature of their relationship, and the layers of love, fear, and hope that drive both characters. The tension continues to build, setting the stage for more intense emotional revelations and the difficult road ahead.