Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Bret sleepwalks through the week, juggles a secret desire for Ryan, and patches things up with Debbie. At a small gathering, Susan proposes a party for Robert and reveals Dr. Croft said Robert was recently in a Jacksonville developmental center. Bret resists, then drinks heavily. The next day, Bret visits Matt, finds unsettling changes, faces accusations of prank calls, learns Robert has been asking Matt about him, and suffers a final, painful rejection that ends their affair.
Summary
Bret spends the school week numb and detached, convincing himself prior incidents were harmless. He avoids most activities, notices Robert testing other lunch groups, and agrees to a Saturday hangout after Debbie postpones for a concert. A call with Ryan hints at secrecy and distance; Ryan refuses to join the group but suggests meeting Sunday.
On Saturday, Debbie arrives early, demands reassurance, and Bret chooses to maintain their relationship for stability. They have sex and briefly discuss Robert; Debbie suggests Susan may like him. That evening, Debbie, Susan, Thom, and Bret gather for pizza and drinks. Bret, anxious about local home invasions and Julie Selwyn’s disappearance, grows tense.
Susan proposes a party at her house to welcome Robert. She reveals Dr. Croft asked them to include Robert and that Robert spent spring in a Jacksonville “developmental center” for depression and drugs. Bret objects, insisting it’s a mental institution and calling Robert dishonest, citing the Roycemore lie and the Ventura Boulevard incident. Susan and Thom counter that Robert said Bret followed him. Bret reluctantly agrees to the party and then gets drunk and does cocaine as the group blasts records.
The next day, brutally hungover, Bret learns Matt called. He rushes to Matt’s guesthouse, finding the room rearranged, the aquarium emptied, and a pentagram drawn on a Foreigner poster. Matt accuses Bret of repeated silent phone calls and entering the room. Bret denies it and asks what Robert said; Matt says Robert introduced himself via a family connection and hinted questions about Bret, implying knowledge of Bret and Matt.
Bret warns Matt to avoid Robert. Overwhelmed by desire and confusion, Bret reaches for sex; Matt recoils, declares it was never serious, and orders Bret to leave. Bret departs in tears, realizing the affair is over.
Who Appears
- BretNarrator; numb and anxious; reassures Debbie; resists Susan’s Robert plan; gets drunk; confronts Matt and is rejected.
- Debbie SchafferArrives early, demands reassurance, has sex with Bret; later parties; mentions Julie; heads to Malibu; fields Matt’s call.
- Susan ReynoldsProposes a welcome party for Robert; relays Dr. Croft’s info about his treatment; defends Robert; urges group inclusion.
- Thom WrightSupports Susan’s party idea; drinks and sings with Bret; provides calm counterpoints during the Robert debate.
- Matt KellnerCalls Bret; later accuses him of silent calls and intrusion; reveals Robert questioned him; rejects Bret, ending their affair.
- Robert MalloryAbsent but pivotal; revealed to have been in a Jacksonville developmental center; tells others Bret followed him; probes Matt about Bret.
- Dr. CroftHeadmaster; asks students to include Robert and shares his recent treatment history in confidence with Susan.
- Ryan VaughnOn the phone declines group plans, suggests secrecy and a possible Sunday meetup; fuels Bret’s conflicted desire.