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67 pages 2 hours read

Jennifer Brown

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Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009

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Part 2, Chapters 12-13Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2

Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary

Valerie, fresh from Dr. Dentley’s care, sees her outpatient therapist, Dr. Rex Hieler for the first time. In stark contrast to Dentley and her previous therapist, Mrs. Tate, “Dr. Hieler’s office was cozy and academic—an oasis of books and soft rock music in a sea of institutionalism” (185). The office brims with games, refreshments, and decor rife with meaning, easy talking points for lulls in patient-doctor conversations. Hieler introduces himself to Valerie’s mother as “Rex,” and Valerie “flopped on the couch, watching Mom as she stiffly backed up and sat on the very edge of it, as if it would soil her” (186). Valerie’s mother proceeds to understate Valerie’s involvement in the shootingand downplays her relationship with Nick, which inflames Valerie. Her mother reacts by crying hysterically. Dr. Hieler mediates the discussion and welcomes Valerie to his practice. 

Part 2, Chapter 13 Summary

Valerie wakes up the morning after her first visit with Dr. Hieler; when she goes downstairs, she sees Detective Panzella and panics. She’s anxious, unsure of herself since the shooting: “I fought the feeling of the world going out from under me, as it had countless times since my surgery” (191). However, the detective is there to tell her that she has been legally cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting. After Valerie learns she has been cleared, she receives interesting information from Detective Panzella: a blonde student had come forward to explain that had Valerie helped the day of the shooting, risking her life to stop the killing. As Valerie reflects on this, she finds it odd—a blonde does not sound like a fan of hers; this shows how one of the people Valerie supposedly hates may have acted as her savior.

Part 2, Chapters 12-13 Analysis

Dr. Hieler serves as a sharp contrast to Valerie’s ineffective in-patient care. Dr. Hieler shows his skill by validating Valerie; he offers his condolences for Nick’s death and responds, “I wouldn’t invalidate what you’ve been through by telling you I have any idea of what it’s like” (187). This puts Valerie at ease as he proceeds to admit that he has experience in her area of trauma; he adds that he wants to give Valerie control, all of which is a new experience for Valerie. She agrees to his terms and accepts therapy. She says about her agreement: “My voice was tiny, but I was surprised to hear any voice there at all” (190). This forms the basis of a powerful relationship between Dr. Hieler and Valerie.

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