Summary

On Christmas Eve the siblings and family all gathered at Rosaleen's house to celebrate the holiday and eat a meal. In this chapter the third person narrative continues to shift between siblings rather than remaining focused on one.

The chapter opened as Emmett called his mother to let her know that he and his sister Hannah would be on the way soon. He told his mother that Hannah was not bringing the baby. He felt guilty that he was leaving his roommate – a Kenyan refugee – alone on Christmas to go to his mother's house. Still, he decided not to invite his roommate along because in the Madigan household family is not inclusive of outsiders.

After his arrival back at the Madigan house, Emmet's anger toward his mother was revealed through his reactions to almost everything Rosaleen did or said. Although nothing much actually...