Mockingbird

Content Warning: The Chapter 17 Summary references a school shooting.

Caitlin is back in her brother’s room staring at where he carved “SCOUT” in the woodwork of his dresser. She is frustrated. She has looked up the word “closure” in her dictionary dozens of times. As she sits there pondering, she glimpses the list of tools and supplies Devon wrote down when he began his Eagle Scout project. The mission-style chest is still under the gray sheet, unfinished.

When her father gets home, he reminds Caitlin her birthday is coming up. When he asks what she wants, she says, “I want Devon to take me shopping like he did last year” (101). Her father searches for a way to respond.

The next day, Mrs. Brook asks Caitlin whether she understands that her brother is dead, explaining that her father called that morning concerned about Caitlin’s birthday wish. She tells Caitlin she might want to be more thoughtful towards her father and not give him more to worry about. Caitlin agrees. “You’re starting to show empathy” (104), Mrs. Brook says. During their conversation, Mrs. Brook reveals that Michael is the son of the teacher who died in the shooting. Mrs. Brook thinks their friendship might be a good idea.