The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 37: GRAYSON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnGrayson becomes increasingly certain that Eve has someone surveilling his family, a realization that unsettles him as he recalls a tense encounter with her. The memory of their meeting by the pool haunts him—Eve’s resemblance to Emily and her sharp, self-deprecating remarks about being an “affair baby” stir conflicting emotions. Noticing her injury, Grayson feels a protective rage, vowing that whoever harmed her will pay. This memory reinforces his determination to address the threat posed by Eve’s watcher, whom he now suspects is monitoring him as well.
Upon returning to his hotel, Grayson meticulously checks for surveillance devices, confirming the room is secure before focusing on his tasks. He ignores multiple messages from Gigi, who is desperate for a photo of Trowbridge’s passwords. Despite his growing fondness for her, Grayson alters the password image to mislead her, ensuring her efforts will fail. He prints duplicate keys—one real, one decoy—and sends them to Zabrowski, along with a demand for information on the mysterious blond watcher. Grayson’s actions reveal his calculated, strategic mindset, even as he grapples with guilt over manipulating Gigi.
Grayson shifts his attention to two cryptic items: a fake USB drive and an index card with unexplained notches. Frustrated by his inability to decode their significance, he questions whether he’s overanalyzing them. His thoughts drift to Savannah and the unfair treatment she endures, though he dismisses it as irrelevant. After sending the keys to the front desk, he retreats to the bathroom, turning the shower to its hottest setting. The physical exertion of holding himself in a doorway push-up position becomes a meditative act, allowing him to temporarily clear his mind of distractions.
As steam fills the room, Grayson’s reflection fades from the mirror, symbolizing his desire to escape his thoughts. The chapter closes with fragmented memories of past conversations, hinting at unresolved tensions and emotional wounds. Grayson’s disciplined routine and meticulous actions contrast with his inner turmoil, painting a portrait of a man struggling to maintain control amid mounting pressures. The chapter underscores his complex relationships and the moral ambiguities of his choices, leaving his next steps uncertain.
FAQs
1. What conclusion does Grayson reach about Eve, and why is this significant?
Answer:
Grayson concludes that Eve has someone staking out the Grayson family, which poses a serious threat. This is significant because Eve is one of the few people who knows Sheffield Grayson isn’t just “missing,” making her surveillance a major security risk. Grayson’s realization heightens his alertness, as seen when he meticulously checks his hotel room for listening devices and cameras. The chapter emphasizes the danger of this situation, as it could expose family secrets or lead to further harm, especially given Eve’s mysterious background and the bruise on her temple, hinting at violence in her world.
2. How does Grayson manipulate the photograph of Trowbridge’s passwords, and what does this reveal about his relationship with Gigi?
Answer:
Grayson alters the photograph by changing specific characters in Trowbridge’s passwords (e.g., turning a 9 into an 8 or a “V” into a “W”) to ensure Gigi cannot access the files. This deliberate sabotage reveals a conflicted dynamic: while Grayson feels affection for Gigi—evidenced by his amusement at her persistent messages and hairless cat photos—he prioritizes his mission over her success. His guilt over deceiving her suggests emotional attachment, but his actions underscore a calculated, protective distance, possibly to shield her from danger or maintain control over the situation.
3. Analyze the symbolism of Grayson’s exercise routine in the bathroom doorway. What might this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Grayson’s physical exercise—holding himself up in a doorway until the steam obscures his reflection—symbolizes his need for control and mental clarity. The act requires intense focus, allowing him to purge distracting thoughts (e.g., Gigi, Eve, Savannah). The fading mirror image mirrors his desire to compartmentalize emotions and disappear into his mission. This ritual highlights his disciplined, almost obsessive nature, where physical strain substitutes for emotional processing. It also reflects his isolation, as he literally lifts himself away from others, reinforcing his self-reliance and emotional barriers.
4. What clues does Grayson examine regarding the index card and “not-a-USB-drive,” and what does his skepticism suggest about his investigative approach?
Answer:
Grayson studies the notches on the index card (two on top, one on the right) and tests whether the fake USB interacts with it, finding nothing. He questions if he’s “seeing meaning where there is none,” revealing his methodical yet self-critical approach. Unlike others who might force connections, Grayson acknowledges ambiguity, balancing curiosity with skepticism. This reflects his precision as an investigator—he avoids assumptions but exhausts every angle. The scene also contrasts with his manipulation of Gigi, showing he values evidence over deception when solving puzzles directly tied to his family’s secrets.
5. How does the chapter portray Grayson’s internal conflict between attachment and duty? Provide examples.
Answer:
Grayson wrestles with loyalty to his mission versus growing connections to others. For instance, he feels a “tug of affection” for Gigi but sabotages her efforts, reminding himself, “Don’t get attached.” Similarly, he recalls Savannah’s mistreatment but dismisses it as “none of my business.” Even with Eve—a vulnerable figure tied to his family—he shifts from protectiveness (“someone hurt her… and that someone will pay”) to cold detachment, focusing on her spy. These moments reveal a pattern: Grayson’s duty demands emotional distance, but his humanity surfaces in fleeting, unresolved gestures of care.
Quotes
1. “My existence disturbs people. Side effect of being an affair baby.”
This striking statement from Eve captures her complex relationship with the Hawthorne family and her outsider status. It reveals both her self-awareness and the emotional weight she carries as an illegitimate child entangled in the family’s affairs.
2. “And that someone will pay.”
This short, powerful declaration shows Grayson’s protective instincts kicking in when he notices Eve’s injury. It demonstrates his fierce loyalty to those he considers under his protection, even someone as complicated as Eve.
3. “It’s remarkable, really, how quickly she’d gotten under his defenses. Don’t get attached. You know what you have to do.”
This internal conflict reveals Grayson’s growing affection for Gigi warring with his calculated nature. The quote perfectly encapsulates his emotional struggle between connection and his predetermined plans.
4. “Am I seeing meaning where there is none?”
This question reflects Grayson’s analytical mind at work as he examines the mysterious index card. It shows his self-awareness about potentially over-analyzing clues, a key aspect of his character’s investigative approach.
5. “He watched the bathroom mirror fog over, watched his own image slowly disappear, and with it and the concentration it took to hold his position, thoughts and images bled from his mind one by one.”
This poetic description of Grayson’s physical and mental discipline reveals his coping mechanism for stress. The imagery beautifully captures his need for control and the temporary escape he finds in physical exertion.