The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 20: GRAYSON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnIn Chapter 20, Grayson engages in a tense yet revealing conversation with Acacia, his late father’s wife, in the kitchen of her home. Acacia, a maternal figure with a quiet strength, discloses that she learned about Grayson’s existence 22 months ago, on the day of her mother’s funeral. Grayson, wary of disrupting her family, assures her he has no such intentions. The dialogue hints at past betrayals, including Sheffield Grayson’s affair with Grayson’s mother, and Acacia’s surprising lack of resentment toward Grayson despite the circumstances.
The conversation delves into the complexities of family dynamics, particularly how Acacia’s daughters, Savannah and Gigi, have been affected by Sheffield’s actions. Acacia reveals that Savannah, who idolized her father, has known about Grayson since she was 14, while Gigi remains unaware. Grayson senses Acacia’s pain but also her resilience, as she refuses to blame him for his father’s mistakes. The discussion touches on Sheffield’s financial dependence on Acacia’s family, contradicting his self-made image, and Grayson begins to see Acacia as a compassionate yet formidable figure.
Grayson probes further, asking about recent visits from “gentlemen in suits,” hinting at potential legal or financial troubles. Acacia deflects, but Grayson’s concern suggests deeper layers to the family’s struggles. The chapter also explores Savannah’s relationship with her father, revealing how she sought his approval through basketball, a connection to Sheffield’s late nephew, Colin. Acacia implies that Savannah may judge her for staying with Sheffield after learning of his infidelity, but she asserts her strength, refusing to be seen as weak.
The chapter concludes with Gigi’s abrupt interruption, lightening the mood as she announces a party and references “step negative one,” signaling the end of the serious conversation. Grayson and Acacia share a silent understanding, their heart-to-heart over for now. The interaction leaves Grayson with a nuanced view of Acacia and the family’s tangled history, setting the stage for further exploration of their relationships and unresolved tensions.
FAQs
1. How did Acacia discover Grayson’s existence, and what does this reveal about her relationship with her late husband?
Answer:
Acacia learned about Grayson’s existence on the day of her mother’s funeral twenty-two months prior to the conversation (p. 94). This timing suggests Sheffield Grayson deliberately chose a moment of vulnerability to disclose his affair and illegitimate child, highlighting his emotional manipulation. Acacia’s reaction—expressing regret for not knowing sooner to “influence Sheff to do the right thing”—reveals her moral compass and the power imbalance in their marriage. Her comment about her mother likely confronting Sheffield (“affairs were one thing, but… be discreet”) further underscores the family’s tolerance of infidelity but not public scandal (p. 95).2. Analyze the significance of Savannah’s basketball skills in her relationship with her father. How does this connect to broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
Savannah’s basketball prowess (noted since age five) served as a way to bond with her father, who valued the sport due to his college career and his deceased nephew Colin’s legacy (p. 96). Acacia implies Savannah consciously cultivated this connection to compensate for Gigi’s natural charm and resemblance to Colin, which earned her more attention. This dynamic reflects themes of performance and conditional love within the family, as well as the lingering shadow of Colin’s death. Grayson recognizes this as Savannah letting Sheffield “recapture” his lost hopes through her achievements (p. 96), tying into the chapter’s exploration of inherited trauma and familial expectations.3. Why does Grayson strategically bring up the “gentlemen in suits” during his conversation with Acacia, and how does she respond?
Answer:
Grayson mentions Gigi’s comment about “gentlemen in suits” visiting (p. 96) as a deliberate non sequitur to catch Acacia off guard, minimizing her ability to fabricate a response—a tactic reflecting his analytical nature. Her immediate denial (“Gigi is mistaken”) and Grayson’s offer of help (“If you need anything…”) suggest underlying tension or secrets (p. 97). This exchange underscores Grayson’s investigative approach to the family and Acacia’s protective instincts, possibly hinting at financial or legal troubles tied to Sheffield’s past. The abrupt end to their conversation when Gigi interrupts further implies Acacia is avoiding scrutiny.4. Evaluate Acacia’s statement, “I would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.” How does this contrast with other characters’ perspectives in the chapter?
Answer:
Acacia’s assertion (p. 94) reflects her empathy and separates her from the cycle of blame in the family. Unlike Savannah, who likely resents Grayson as proof of her father’s betrayal, or Sheffield, who harbored vengeance against the Hawthornes for Colin’s death, Acacia refuses to project adult conflicts onto children. Grayson notes her “maternal” demeanor (p. 95), contrasting her with his own mother, Skye, whose absence is a “wound.” This statement also foreshadows potential conflict with Savannah, who Acacia predicts will view her staying with Sheffield as “weak” (p. 96), showing generational divides in accountability.5. What does the chapter reveal about the financial foundations of Sheffield Grayson’s success, and why is this significant for Grayson’s understanding of his father?
Answer:
Acacia discloses that Sheffield’s ventures were funded by her family’s money, contradicting his self-made image (p. 95). This revelation forces Grayson to reassess his father’s narrative of independence and success, possibly feeling deceived. The detail that Acacia’s mother may have issued “pointed threats” to Sheffield about his affair with Skye Hawthorne (p. 95) further exposes his dependency on his in-laws’ wealth and reputation. For Grayson, this undermines Sheffield’s authority and reframes their past interactions—his father’s pride in being “self-made” was a facade, deepening the emotional betrayal.
Quotes
1. “I would like to believe that I’m the kind of person who would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.”
Acacia expresses her moral stance toward Grayson, revealing her compassionate nature despite the painful circumstances of his existence as the product of her husband’s affair. This quote establishes the chapter’s central theme of forgiveness and the complexity of familial bonds.
2. “Twenty-two months ago, Sheffield Grayson had still been alive—and so had the old man. Who would tell a grieving daughter something like that on the day she buries her mother?”
Grayson’s internal reflection highlights the cruelty of timing in revealing family secrets, emphasizing the emotional weight of his discovery and the callousness of those who withheld this information from Acacia.
3. “Savannah lived to make Sheff proud… Between the resemblance and Gigi being such a cheerful little thing, she had Sheff wrapped around her finger from day one. Savannah always seemed keenly aware of that, even as a baby.”
This insight into Savannah’s childhood motivations explains her current hostility toward Grayson, revealing how sibling dynamics and parental favoritism shaped her personality and relationship with her father.
4. “Savannah is going to judge me for staying with her father once I knew. To her, that will seem weak. But I assure you, I am not.”
Acacia’s defiant statement showcases her strength in choosing forgiveness while acknowledging how her daughter might perceive this choice, adding depth to both characters and their conflicting perspectives on family loyalty.
5. “If you want to get to know the girls, Grayson, I won’t stop you… You’re welcome here, Grayson. For as long as you want.”
Acacia’s unexpected acceptance of Grayson represents a turning point in their interaction, offering him something he never expected - a place in the family, which contrasts sharply with Savannah’s likely reaction.