Summary

In Chapter 16, after Peter leaves, Ivan cleans up his cut lip and tries to understand what happened. He sits with Alexei and imagines how things would be different if their father was there. He thinks about everything Peter said and realizes Peter did protect Ivan and their dad. Thinking about these “memories of feelings, or feelings about memories,” he feels detached from reality (385).

Christine calls Ivan and they chat about Ivan’s upcoming chess matches and the Christmas holiday. Christine wants to know if she should cancel her plans to spend Christmas with Ivan and Peter.

After the call, Ivan continues thinking about the fight with Peter. He also thinks about falling in love with Margaret and his dad’s death. Then he calls Margaret, who reveals that Bridget found out about their relationship and is displeased. Ivan admits that he had...