The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 86: GRAYSON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnGrayson Hawthorne finds himself alone after completing his mission in Phoenix, having secured Gigi’s release and resolved the situation with the safe-deposit box. Despite his outward composure, he grapples with the emotional toll of his actions, particularly the betrayal of his sisters, who remain unaware of his motives. He rationalizes his isolation, focusing on work to distract himself, but a moment of vulnerability leads him to revisit photos of Gigi, highlighting his internal conflict between duty and personal connections. The weight of past mistakes—Emily’s death, losing Avery, and Eve’s betrayal—haunts him, reinforcing his belief that caring for others inevitably leads to loss.
As Grayson prepares to leave, he methodically handles loose ends, including disposing of the fake journal and photographs to avoid FBI scrutiny. His detachment shatters when he notices an error in the date on one of his father’s surveillance photos, sparking unresolved anger and confusion about his father’s obsession with him. The brief moment of weakness is quickly suppressed as he forces himself back into a pragmatic mindset. However, his resolve is tested when he receives a call from an unknown girl, whose voice momentarily soothes him before he harshly cuts her off, further isolating himself.
The chapter intensifies as Eve, a figure from Grayson’s past, calls to inform him about Vincent Blake’s critical condition. Grayson remains cold, accusing her of involving the FBI and threatening his sisters, despite her protests. Their exchange reveals Grayson’s deep-seated distrust and emotional armor, as he refuses to engage with her vulnerability. Eve’s desperation and Grayson’s rigid refusal to empathize underscore the toxic dynamics of their relationship. The call ends with Eve’s bitter resignation, leaving Grayson to stew in his self-imposed solitude.
The chapter concludes with Grayson’s internal struggle between his ingrained belief that he must remain emotionally detached to protect others and the lingering pain of his loneliness. His interactions with the unknown girl and Eve highlight his inability to reconcile his need for control with his latent desire for connection. The narrative leaves Grayson at a crossroads, hinting at the unsustainable nature of his isolation and the inevitable reckoning with his past mistakes and emotional barriers.
FAQs
1. What are the three key mistakes Grayson reflects on in this chapter, and how do they shape his current mindset?
Answer:
Grayson dwells on three pivotal mistakes: (1) Taking Emily cliff-jumping, which resulted in her death, (2) Failing to support Avery after the bomb incident, leading to her choosing Jameson, and (3) Trusting Eve, who later betrayed him. These experiences reinforce his belief that “every little mistake costs someone he cares about” (Chapter 86). They’ve solidified his self-perception as someone who cannot afford errors, driving his emotional withdrawal and hyperfocus on control. The chapter shows him robotically packing and planning to avoid further vulnerability, illustrating how these regrets dictate his isolationist behavior.2. Analyze the significance of Grayson’s interaction with the photographs of his past. What do they reveal about his relationship with his father?
Answer:
The photographs—taken surreptitiously by Sheffield Grayson during Grayson’s gap year—reveal a paradox in their relationship. While Sheffield obsessively monitored his son (“My whole life, my father watched me”), the incorrect date on one photo suggests detachment or carelessness in the surveillance. This duality mirrors Grayson’s conflicted feelings: resentment at the intrusion, yet latent longing for connection (evidenced by his fixation on the photos’ details). The briefcase of photos becomes a metaphor for unresolved grief and the weight of paternal scrutiny, which Grayson tries to suppress by mechanically stacking them “facedown.”3. How does the phone call from the unnamed girl (implied to be Gigi) contrast with Eve’s call, and what do both interactions reveal about Grayson’s emotional state?
Answer:
The first call (likely Gigi) initially acts as “a balm on open wounds” with its warmth, but Grayson deliberately hardens his response, snapping, “Stop calling.” In contrast, Eve’s call about Blake’s surgery provokes sharper hostility (“I warned you to stay away”). Both interactions showcase his self-sabotage: he pushes away comfort (Gigi) while engaging with toxicity (Eve). The juxtaposition highlights his belief that connection is perilous. His clipped dialogue (“Don’t bleed for me”) underscores his refusal to empathize, fearing emotional “costs,” yet the chapter’s tension lies in his palpable struggle to maintain this detachment.4. What symbolic purpose does the puzzle box serve in this chapter, and how does it relate to Grayson’s actions?
Answer:
The puzzle box—containing the fake journal and withdrawal slips—symbolizes Grayson’s attempts to control and compartmentalize truth. By locking away evidence (to protect Avery and his sisters), he mirrors his own psychological repression. His meticulous handling of the box (“reassembled it”) reflects his need for order amid chaos. However, the FBI’s potential involvement (“if they found his fingerprints”) introduces tension, suggesting that suppressed truths may resurface. Like the box, Grayson’s facade is carefully constructed but fragile, with his phone calls and photo relapse hinting at emotions he cannot fully contain.5. Critical Thinking: Evaluate Grayson’s assertion that “it’s better this way” (being alone). Is this a justified conclusion based on the chapter’s events?
Answer:
Grayson’s conclusion is flawed but understandable. His trauma history (Emily’s death, betrayals) makes isolation feel safer, and the chapter shows short-term efficacy—he functions methodically when alone. However, the text undermines his claim through subtle contradictions: his involuntary photo scrolling, physical reactions to Gigi’s voice (“muscles tightened”), and Eve’s accusation (“I’m used to it” [being abandoned]). These moments reveal his loneliness as a defense mechanism, not a solution. The chapter suggests that while solitude prevents immediate pain, it perpetuates a cycle of loss, as seen in his strained relationships and unresolved grief over his father.
Quotes
1. “Every time he let himself care about someone, he lost them.”
This quote encapsulates Grayson’s core emotional conflict - his belief that connection inevitably leads to loss. It reveals his psychological barrier against intimacy and explains his self-isolating behavior throughout the chapter.
2. “Some people can make mistakes, Grayson. But you are not one of those people.”
This internalized belief drives Grayson’s perfectionism and self-recrimination. The quote shows how his father’s impossible standards continue to haunt him, making every error feel catastrophic.
3. “I don’t have answers for anyone… Stop calling.”
This terse exchange represents Grayson’s emotional shutdown. The quote marks a pivotal moment where he actively pushes away connection, choosing isolation over potential pain, reinforcing the chapter’s theme of self-imposed loneliness.
4. “You don’t get to be done with me.”
Eve’s defiant statement creates tension about unresolved conflicts. The quote introduces the chapter’s central interpersonal conflict while mirroring Grayson’s own inability to truly sever connections despite his efforts.
5. “Don’t bleed for me. Don’t show me your wounds and expect me to tend to them.”
This powerful rejection summarizes Grayson’s emotional unavailability. The metaphorical language vividly conveys his refusal to engage with others’ pain, completing the chapter’s portrait of a man building emotional walls.