Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Charly advances to Thinking Skills Group, where banter with fellow patients surfaces suspicions about her absent husband and prompts a small memory: she is a dermatologist. The group’s probing renews her focus on the shooting. That night, Charly’s recurring dream sharpens—rain, neighbor Annie, the entry, and a condemning voice: “You deserve this.”
Summary
Four and a half months after the shooting, Charly graduates from Orientation Group and enters Thinking Skills Group. In a small room, she meets fellow patients Angela, Helga, and Dr. Vincent while Amy facilitates. The group jokes about Jamie’s crush, embarrassing Charly, and establishes a tentative camaraderie.
Prompted by Dr. Vincent, Charly unexpectedly recalls a concrete detail: she is a dermatologist. Conversation shifts to her shooting; Dr. Vincent bluntly suggests most female victims know their attacker and even posits her husband, noting his continued absence. Helga defends Charly, offers to assess her wedding ring as a jeweler, and Amy cautions the group against speculating.
Later, Charly relives her recurring dream of the night she was shot: a cold, rainy evening; wet boots in the lobby; a greeting from upstairs neighbor Annie; her key in the apartment door; then an explosion and crimson. Paralyzed, she senses someone on her left but cannot see them and hears the chilling judgment, “You deserve this,” before waking.
Who Appears
- Charly (Dr. Charlotte McKenna)Protagonist; advances to Thinking Skills Group, recalls being a dermatologist, and relives a sharper shooting dream.
- Dr. VincentElderly ex-psychiatrist patient; bluntly probes Charly’s case and suggests the attacker could be someone she knows.
- HelgaFellow patient and former jeweler; defends Charly, offers ring assessment, fuels supportive group dynamic.
- AngelaFriend and groupmate; teases about Jamie’s crush and helps welcome Charly to the new group.
- AmyTherapy staff; facilitates the group, brings games, and discourages speculation about the shooting.
- JamieFellow patient mentioned; rumored to have a crush on Charly, highlighting their growing bond.
- AnnieCharly’s upstairs neighbor; appears in Charly’s memory-dream, greeting her just before the shooting.