If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Sixty-Seven
by McCauley, KyrieIn this chapter, the narrator chooses to leave early, even before the traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks, highlighting the emotional difficulty holidays present for her. She reflects on the unique traditions she shares with Campbell and Juniper, particularly their annual rooftop gathering to watch fireworks over Auburn. Despite the emotional weight of the season, she is determined not to miss this moment. The scene shifts to a quiet, intimate moment as they park near her home, setting a tone of closeness and anticipation between her and Liam.
The atmosphere is vividly described with natural imagery, emphasizing the presence of crows and the clarity of the night sky filled with stars. These elements create a sense of stillness and focus, as if the world narrows down solely to the two characters. The unsettled crows and the expansive starry sky serve as a backdrop that intensifies the emotional connection and the significance of this shared moment between them.
Amid this serene setting, the narrator experiences a spontaneous and heartfelt confession of love. The words come naturally and swiftly, symbolizing a release of emotions that had been held back. Liam’s warm response and affectionate gestures reinforce the mutual feelings and deepen their bond. Their exchange is tender and genuine, capturing a pivotal emotional turning point in their relationship.
The chapter closes with a playful yet meaningful exchange about promises, underscoring a mix of vulnerability and cautious optimism. The narrator’s repeated phrase, “No promises,” adds complexity to the moment, suggesting both hope and uncertainty about the future. The stars and crows silently witness this intimate scene, reinforcing the blend of beauty, tension, and possibility that defines the chapter’s essence.
FAQs
1. What significance do holidays, particularly New Year’s Eve, hold for the narrator and her family, and how is this reflected in their traditions?
Answer:
Holidays, especially New Year’s Eve, are portrayed as difficult times for the narrator and her family, which prompts them to create their own unique traditions to cope. Instead of following conventional celebrations, the narrator, Campbell, and Juniper choose to sit together on the roof outside the narrator’s window to watch the fireworks over Auburn. This tradition highlights their desire for intimacy and comfort during a challenging time, emphasizing the importance of close family bonds and personal rituals in providing emotional support and continuity.2. How does the narrator’s interaction with Liam in this chapter illustrate the theme of connection and vulnerability?
Answer:
The narrator’s interaction with Liam is intimate and tender, illustrating a profound emotional connection and vulnerability. The setting—the quiet night with crows and stars—creates a sense of isolation from the world, focusing solely on their relationship. The narrator’s impulsive confession, “I love you,” emerges naturally and feels authentic, revealing her openness and trust. Liam’s warm response and affectionate gestures reinforce mutual affection and acceptance. This moment captures the delicate balance between expressing deep feelings and the cautious hesitation implied by the narrator’s “No promises” remark, underscoring the complexities of emotional vulnerability.3. In what ways do the natural elements—the crows, trees, stars, and night sky—contribute to the mood and symbolism of this chapter?
Answer:
The natural elements in the chapter create a rich, symbolic backdrop that enhances the mood and emotional tone. The unsettled crows, shifting and cawing nervously, introduce a subtle tension or restlessness, reflecting perhaps the narrator’s inner turmoil or uncertainty. The trees, described as homes to the crows, suggest stability and rootedness, contrasting with the birds’ agitation. The clear night sky and the stars, described as a “river,” evoke vastness, clarity, and a sense of wonder. Together, these elements symbolize the delicate balance between chaos and calm, uncertainty and certainty, mirroring the narrator’s emotional state as she navigates love and self-expression.4. Analyze the narrator’s repeated phrase “No promises” in the context of her declaration of love. What might this reveal about her character or situation?
Answer:
The repeated phrase “No promises” after the narrator’s declaration of love introduces complexity and ambiguity to her feelings. It suggests caution, hesitation, or a fear of commitment despite the warmth and sincerity of her confession. This could reflect past experiences, personal insecurities, or external circumstances that make her wary of making guarantees about the future. The phrase adds depth to her character, portraying her as someone who acknowledges the significance of her emotions but remains guarded. It also invites readers to consider the challenges of love and trust, especially when emotional wounds or uncertainties persist.5. How might the narrator’s choice to ask Liam to take her home early, before the fireworks, serve as a narrative device to emphasize the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The narrator’s choice to leave early before the fireworks functions as a narrative device that highlights themes of intimacy, personal priorities, and emotional authenticity. Fireworks typically symbolize celebration and spectacle, but the narrator opts out, underscoring her desire for meaningful connection over public display. This decision sets the stage for a private, vulnerable moment with Liam, focusing on their relationship rather than external festivities. It also reflects the narrator’s complex relationship with holidays and traditions, reinforcing the idea that personal rituals and emotional honesty are more significant to her than conventional celebrations.
Quotes
1. “Holidays have always been hard for us, so Campbell and Juniper and I made up our own traditions. Every New Year’s Eve, we sit on the roof outside my window and watch the fireworks over Auburn together. I’m not going to miss this one.”
This quote sets the emotional tone of the chapter, highlighting the importance of personal traditions in coping with difficult times and underscoring the protagonist’s determination to hold on to meaningful rituals despite hardships.
2. “For a moment, it’s like nothing exists at all beyond us. It’s just me and Liam and the trees and the night sky.”
This passage captures a profound moment of intimacy and presence, emphasizing the feeling of the world narrowing down to a shared connection amidst the vastness of nature and the universe.
3. “And the words rise in me of their own accord, fast, effortless, like air, racing unseen past that thing in my chest before it can catch them, and tumbling out into the cold air before I can think: ‘I love you.’”
This is the chapter’s emotional climax, expressing the spontaneous and overwhelming nature of confessing love, revealing vulnerability and the power of honest expression in a pivotal relationship moment.
4. “Tell me something I don’t know,” he says, and he steals one, two, three more kisses, as warm as sunshine.”
This quote illustrates the reciprocal warmth and playfulness in the relationship, reinforcing the mutual affection and the lightness that balances the chapter’s deeper emotional currents.
5. “No promises, though.”
Repeated twice, this phrase introduces a note of caution or uncertainty, adding complexity to the interaction and suggesting that despite love and closeness, the future remains open and undefined.