Shatter Me

James is excited to finally meet Juliette since his brother has been talking about her for so long. He stretches out his hand to Juliette for a handshake as a joke but then drops it. He says that Adam had told him about Juliette’s “magic powers” (213), so he knows he cannot touch her. Adam announces that all three of them will be living together for a while. He then explains to Juliette that since public records show that he doesn’t have a home, Warner won’t come to this house looking for him. Warner does know that Adam has a little brother, so it’s now safer for them to be together. Adam can keep an eye on James and protect him if needed. James, elated to have his brother back, leads the way to the house. Adam opens a big steel door with a passcode and Juliette is very much surprised with what she sees inside.

Juliette walks into a spacious living room with rugs, chairs, and a sofa, “green and red and orange hues, warm lamps softly lit in the large space” (217). She feels comfortable and safe in this place. Juliette is surprised to learn that James, who is only 10, lives there alone, and only Benny, an elderly lady, visits him and brings food packages.