The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 97: JAMESON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnJameson initiates the rebuilding of a tree house with his brothers, using the opportunity to share fragments of his recent adventures—meeting his father, winning a castle, and saving a duchess. He selectively reveals details about the Game, focusing on its riddles and challenges, including the silver ballerina puzzle. His brothers eventually solve it, prompting Grayson to pose his own cryptic riddle about the nature of a bet, which Jameson obsessively analyzes. The chapter hints at deeper family secrets as Grayson secretly reviews their grandfather’s files, adding intrigue to the Hawthorne legacy.
As the tree house is completed, Jameson finds himself alone with Avery in one of its towers. Their conversation shifts to the Game, with Avery reflecting on its exclusivity to the wealthy and powerful. Jameson recalls his grandfather’s belief that the games were meant to reveal their inherent extraordinariness. The emotional tension between them grows as Avery’s words and touch make Jameson feel validated and seen. Their bond deepens, culminating in a shared vision of creating a new, inclusive game for everyone.
Avery proposes designing an annual game with a substantial cash prize, open to all rather than just the elite. Jameson, captivated by the idea, envisions it as intricate and perfectly crafted. They tentatively name it “The Grandest Game,” symbolizing their partnership and shared ambition. This moment marks a turning point for Jameson, who realizes he wants to be more than his grandfather’s legacy—both in his relationship with Avery and in his own self-worth. He resolves to trust her fully, signaling a departure from his past secrecy.
In a pivotal moment, Jameson uses Scrabble tiles to confess a life-altering secret: Alice Hawthorne, presumed dead, is alive. This revelation, spelled out on the board, shocks Avery and underscores the depth of Jameson’s trust in her. The chapter closes with an unspoken understanding between them, as they commit to forging their own path while confronting the shadows of the Hawthorne family’s hidden truths. The scene blends emotional intimacy with lingering mysteries, setting the stage for future revelations.
FAQs
1. What significant secret does Jameson reveal to Avery at the end of the chapter, and how does he choose to communicate it?
Answer:
Jameson reveals that Alice Hawthorne is alive, a profound secret he discovered during his time in Prague. He communicates this through a creative method—spelling out the message using Scrabble tiles: “ALICE HAWTHORNE IS ALIVE.” This choice symbolizes trust and intimacy, as he could have kept it hidden like other secrets (e.g., the Devil’s Mercy). The Scrabble board becomes a medium for truth-telling, reflecting his growth in trusting Avery and himself. The moment is charged with emotional weight, as Avery’s stunned reaction underscores the revelation’s gravity.2. How does the chapter illustrate Jameson’s character development regarding trust and self-worth?
Answer:
Jameson’s arc in this chapter highlights his evolving relationship with trust and self-perception. Initially, he withholds certain details (e.g., the Devil’s Mercy) but shares others (the Game’s challenges), showing selective vulnerability. His decision to confess Alice Hawthorne’s survival marks a turning point—he no longer lets secrets define him. The text emphasizes this shift: “Trusting her. Trusting himself. It was all the same.” Avery’s affirmation (“you are extraordinary”) also catalyzes his self-acceptance, moving him beyond the “hunger” and “drive” instilled by his grandfather.3. Analyze the symbolic significance of rebuilding the tree house and its connection to the chapter’s themes.
Answer:
Rebuilding the tree house represents reconciliation, legacy, and renewal. Physically, it mirrors Jameson’s reconstruction of his identity post-Game, as he integrates new truths (e.g., his father, Alice’s survival). Metaphorically, it reflects collaborative creation—just as the brothers work together, Jameson and Avery envision designing “The Grandest Game” for others. The tree house, like their relationship, becomes a space for honesty (the Scrabble confession) and shared purpose, contrasting with the Hawthorne family’s historically secretive games.4. What does the proposed “Grandest Game” represent for Avery and Jameson, and how does it differ from Tobias Hawthorne’s games?
Answer:
The “Grandest Game” symbolizes inclusivity and empowerment, contrasting with Tobias Hawthorne’s exclusive, manipulative games. While Tobias’s games tested his heirs for personal gain, Avery and Jameson’s version offers “cash prizes” and access to non-elites, democratizing the experience. It also reflects their growth: Jameson shifts from player to designer, focusing on others’ potential rather than proving his own worth. Avery’s involvement ties it to her foundation’s altruistic goals, merging play with purpose—a stark departure from the Hawthorne patriarch’s shadowy machinations.5. How does the chapter use riddles as a narrative device, and what do they reveal about the characters?
Answer:
Riddles serve as both plot devices and character mirrors. Grayson’s riddle (“What begins a bet? Not that”) parallels Jameson’s internal struggle—he analyzes it obsessively, reflecting his problem-solving nature but also his need for control. The solved silver ballerina riddle demonstrates the brothers’ intellectual synergy, while the unanswered bet riddle hints at unresolved family mysteries (linked to Tobias’s files). Ultimately, riddles underscore the Hawthorne legacy of games—but Jameson and Avery’s decision to create new ones signals a break from toxic patterns.
Quotes
1. ““It always is when we play.” His gaze was drawn to her mouth, the slight curve of her smile. “You told me once,” she continued, “that your grandfather’s games weren’t designed to make you extraordinary—” “But to show us,” Jameson murmured, “that we already were.””
This exchange between Jameson and Avery captures the core philosophy of the Hawthorne family games—they are not about creating greatness but revealing the inherent extraordinary potential within each person. It’s a pivotal moment that underscores the chapter’s theme of self-discovery and trust.
2. ““Do you believe it now?” Avery asked him. “That you are extraordinary?” The way she said the word made him feel like he was, like he always had been. Like winning might never be enough, but he was. Together, they were.”
Avery’s question challenges Jameson’s self-perception, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from self-acceptance and connection rather than external victories. This moment marks a turning point in Jameson’s character arc, where he begins to internalize his worth beyond competition.
3. ““And in that moment, staring at her, imagining this future with her, Jameson knew: He was going to tell her everything. If he’d learned one thing from the Game he’d played—and won—it was that he could trust himself to tell her. He was more than hunger, more than want, more than drive, more than what Tobias Hawthorne had raised him to be.””
This introspective revelation highlights Jameson’s growth—he moves beyond the ruthless ambition instilled by his grandfather and embraces vulnerability. The quote encapsulates the chapter’s climax, where Jameson decides to share his deepest secret with Avery, symbolizing trust and emotional maturity.
4. ““Trusting her. Trusting himself. It was all the same.””
This succinct line distills the chapter’s central message: self-trust and trust in others are intertwined. It reflects Jameson’s realization that authenticity and connection require both, reinforcing the thematic depth of the narrative.
5. ““ALICE HAWTHORNE IS ALIVE.””
The final, revelatory quote is the chapter’s dramatic cliffhanger, unveiling a long-hidden truth. This revelation not only propels the plot forward but also ties back to Jameson’s journey of trust and transparency, as he chooses to share this life-altering secret with Avery.