The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 17: GRAYSON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnGrayson approaches the situation with Gigi as a complex problem requiring multiple potential solutions. His primary strategy involves ensuring she loses the key to her father’s safe-deposit box, which would prevent her from accessing any incriminating evidence. However, he acknowledges other angles, such as monitoring her movements and preventing her from identifying the box’s registered name. To re-engage with her, Grayson creates a social media account and carefully crafts a message, wary of sending unintended signals. His calculated approach reflects his methodical nature, though he remains aware of the ethical dilemmas involved in deceiving her.
The interaction between Grayson and Gigi unfolds through a series of playful yet strategic messages. Gigi responds with humor, sending cat memes and teasingly inviting him over, displaying a surprising level of trust. Grayson, however, is conflicted, recalling his brother Xander’s warning about the inevitable betrayal. Despite his guilt, he recognizes the advantage of Gigi’s trust and continues the charade. Their exchange highlights the contrast between Gigi’s lightheartedness and Grayson’s internal tension, as he balances his mission with growing discomfort about manipulating her.
Grayson attempts to subtly warn Gigi about her naivety, sending messages cautioning her against trusting him and revealing his own ulterior motives. Gigi dismisses his warnings, insisting that his assistance in finding her father is all that matters. This frustrates Grayson, who feels a pang of guilt but doubles down on his deception by falsely claiming to have a girlfriend to deter any romantic misinterpretations. His actions underscore the moral complexity of his mission, as he struggles with the consequences of his calculated lies.
The chapter concludes with Gigi bombarding Grayson with more cat pictures and a playful question about their roles in their “investigation.” Grayson’s internal conflict persists, torn between his objective and the growing realization of Gigi’s vulnerability. The dynamic between the two characters sets the stage for further tension, as Grayson’s plan hinges on gaining her trust while wrestling with the ethical implications of his actions. The chapter leaves readers anticipating the consequences of their evolving relationship and Grayson’s eventual choices.
FAQs
1. What is Grayson’s primary concern regarding Gigi and the safe-deposit box, and what potential solutions does he consider?
Answer:
Grayson’s main concern is that Gigi possesses a key to a safe-deposit box containing potentially damaging evidence about their father. He considers multiple solutions, reflecting his belief that complex problems require dynamic approaches. The most obvious solution is to steal her key, preventing access to the box. However, he also notes that Gigi doesn’t know which box is her father’s, giving him alternative strategies: monitoring her, assessing the best way to take the key, and preventing her from discovering the box’s registered name. This shows his methodical approach to problem-solving (p. 79-80).2. How does Grayson attempt to reconnect with Gigi, and what does their exchange reveal about their personalities?
Answer:
Grayson finds Gigi on social media and messages her under a pseudonym, carefully crafting his words to avoid romantic implications. Their exchange reveals key traits: Grayson is calculated and cautious (debating message tones, warning her about trust), while Gigi is playful and persistent (responding with cat memes and inviting him over). Her humor disarms him, as seen when he snorts at her cat pictures, but he remains conflicted about manipulating her. The dynamic highlights his internal struggle between his mission and growing guilt (p. 80-82).3. Analyze the significance of Grayson’s warning messages to Gigi. Why does he send them despite his ulterior motives?
Answer:
Grayson sends two warnings: “You are far too trusting” and “I have my own reasons for looking for your father.” These reveal his moral conflict—while he plans to betray her, he can’t fully suppress his conscience. The messages serve as both genuine caution and self-reproach, hinting he wants her to be wary of him. His added lie about having a girlfriend further shows his attempt to emotionally distance himself, fearing Gigi might misinterpret his motives. This tension underscores his complexity as a character (p. 81-82).4. How does Gigi’s response to Grayson’s warnings contrast with his expectations, and what does this suggest about her character?
Answer:
Gigi dismisses Grayson’s ominous hints with humor (“That sounds nefarious! But I don’t care!”) and floods him with cat pictures. Her indifference to his warnings contrasts sharply with his seriousness, emphasizing her optimism and determination to find her father. She prioritizes their shared goal over potential risks, showing either naivety or resilience. Her playful persistence (“unlimited supply of cats”) also disarms Grayson, suggesting she uses humor to cope with vulnerability—a stark contrast to his controlled demeanor (p. 81-82).5. Evaluate the ethical dilemma Grayson faces in this chapter. How does the author create tension between his objectives and his conscience?
Answer:
Grayson’s dilemma lies in balancing his mission (protecting family secrets) with his growing unease about manipulating Gigi. The author builds tension through his internal monologue (“You shouldn’t believe in me”) and Xander’s earlier warning about betrayal. His guilt manifests in subtle warnings to Gigi, revealing a conflict between cold pragmatism and empathy. The juxtaposition of his strategic messaging with her trusting responses heightens the moral stakes, making readers question whether he’ll follow through or reconsider his approach (p. 80-82).
Quotes
1. “Grayson knew that every problem had solutions, plural. Falling into the trap of assuming there was only one could keep you from seeing the optimal combination. Complex problems were fluid, dynamic.”
This opening line establishes Grayson’s strategic mindset and the chapter’s central tension—his approach to solving “complex problems” like Gigi. It foreshadows his methodical weighing of multiple solutions (theft, surveillance, deception) while hinting at moral fluidity.
2. “There were some significant downsides to subterfuge.”
A concise but revealing aside that captures Grayson’s internal conflict about manipulating Gigi. This understatement highlights the emotional toll of his calculated actions, contrasting with his earlier clinical assessment of “solutions.”
3. “You are far too trusting. […] I have my own reasons for looking for your father.”
These paired warnings represent Grayson’s paradoxical attempt to maintain honesty while deceiving Gigi. The tension between his guilt and mission crystallizes here, showing his struggle with Xander’s prediction about inevitable betrayal.
4. “That sounds nefarious! But I don’t care! All that matters is that you’re looking.”
Gigi’s response epitomizes her dangerously open nature that Grayson both exploits and worries about. This quote underscores the chapter’s core irony: Grayson’s genuine concern for her naivete while actively weaponizing it.
5. “You shouldn’t believe in me.”
This single-line internal thought reveals Grayson’s moral unease more directly than any action. It serves as the chapter’s emotional climax, exposing the gap between his ruthless strategy and emerging conscience about manipulating Gigi’s trust.