45 pages • 1 hour read
Michael Without Apology
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Parts 8-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, child abuse, addiction, and substance use.
Part 8: “Michael, Age Twenty and a Half” - Part 9: “Michael, Age Twenty-Five”
Part 8, Chapter 21 Summary: “When Too Much Is Not Too Much”
Two months later, Michael returns home to find Thomas waiting in a car outside his house. Livie and Miles told Thomas that Michael wanted to see him. Michael reluctantly agrees to take a drive.
Reflecting on their childhood, Thomas insists that Michael was lucky he didn’t have to return home. Their parents were people with alcohol and drug addictions, and their habits didn’t change after their arrest. Michael is surprised to learn that they’re still the same people. Thomas then says that he doesn’t feel guilty about the accident, although people tried to blame him. Returning to Michael’s adoption, Thomas reveals all the arguments that Livie and Miles had about whether or not to let him live with the Woodbines: Livie wanted to keep Michael, and Miles didn’t.
Back at home afterward, Michael hugs Judy and thanks her for taking such good care of him. He then tells her and Charles that he might meet with Livie and Miles after all. He tells them about seeing Thomas. He suspects that seeing the Costas will change his view of the past, too. Three days later, he calls the Costas and leaves a message saying that he’ll meet them.
