Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Teddy asks Jeremy to invite Naomi to his birthday, but Jeremy pointedly excludes her, framing it as avoiding drama for Teddy’s sake. Naomi agrees not to attend, then questions Veronica’s influence and intentions. The scene cements Jeremy’s control over access to Teddy and heightens Naomi’s suspicions.
Summary
Jeremy arrives to pick up Teddy, who immediately asks if Naomi can attend his upcoming birthday party. Jeremy’s expression hardens, and he sends Teddy to his room so he can speak privately with Naomi.
Jeremy tells Naomi he does not want her at the party, insisting the day should be about Teddy and free of drama. Naomi challenges him, accusing him of leaving her for a younger woman with a drug problem. Jeremy hushes her, explaining he scheduled the party in the morning so Naomi can have the rest of the day with Teddy.
Hurt but cornered, Naomi agrees not to attend. After Jeremy’s visible relief, Naomi suspects Veronica demanded her exclusion and worries what Veronica might be capable of, even briefly fearing for Teddy’s safety. She ultimately reassures herself that Teddy will be safe at his own party.
Who Appears
- NaomiMother and narrator; asks to attend Teddy’s party, argues with Jeremy, then reluctantly agrees to stay away and worries about Veronica.
- JeremyFather; firmly excludes Naomi from Teddy’s birthday to avoid ‘drama,’ schedules it in the morning, shows relief when Naomi agrees.
- TeddyTheir son; wants his mother at his birthday party and innocently triggers the confrontation.
- VeronicaJeremy’s girlfriend; absent but suspected by Naomi of influencing the exclusion and possibly posing a risk.