Summary

The Twin Towers fell, Audrey got married, and Shawn apologized to Tara at the start of Chapter 13, “Silence in the Churches.” Tara was fifteen and consumed by puberty, focused on what made her different from her brothers. Shawn became aggressive about Tara’s transformation, accusing her of being “’a whore’” (114). Shawn began seeing his ex-girlfriend again, but was angered upon learning of Sadie’s date with Charles. He hauled Tara from work in search of Sadie with a pistol between them in the car. Tara recalled when she was suffocated by Shawn as he pinned her against the wall by her neck. Their mother could do little as he yelled that Tara was acting like “’a prostitute,’” and dragged her by her hair (116). He wanted her to admit her promiscuity and held her by her wrist’s weak point. Tyler entered the room at...