Bluebird, Bluebird

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Part 4, Chapters 25-EpilogueChapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4, Chapters 25-Epilogue Summary

Isaac gives his full confession of what happened to Michael. Isaac was in the woods when Michael and Missy were confronted by Keith. Isaac visited the icehouse to deliver the news about Michael to Wally. Isaac overheard the questions Michael asked Geneva about Joe’s death. After the beating, Isaac smashed the board into Michael’s head and dragged his body into the bayou. He drove the car to Wally who told him he would handle it. Isaac acted out of a compulsion to keep the secret he holds about who killed Joe Sweet.

Isaac’s confession reveals the truth of Joe Sweet’s death. Wally entered the café drunk, rambling on about how the café should have been his and he had a pistol. Wally asked Joe when he would sell the café. Joe demanded he leave, but Wally continued asserting that he could just take it if he wanted. Joe told Isaac to call the Sheriff, but Wally ordered him not to move. Joe calmly asked him to leave, and Wally began a rant about how he hated his father for giving the land to Geneva. Wally insulted Joe by bringing up Lil’ Joe. The two exchanged heated words and Joe moved to hit Wally. Isaac moved to call the police, and Wally shot Joe. Wally made Isaac call the police, giving them the story of three white men robbing the store, letting Isaac have the money in the register. After Isaac finishes his confession, Darren returns to the café and tells the entire story to Geneva and Randie. Geneva is distraught. Darren stays in Lark for two more days to see Wally arrested for Joe’s death. The prints revealed it was he who put the fox in Darren’s truck. Van Horn arrests Wally for shooting out Geneva’s door. Darren is reinstated as a Ranger for his discovery of drug trafficking at the icehouse. Darren thinks back on how all the characters in the story are linked by blood and the importance family has on race relations. Lisa Jefferson leaves Keith Jr. with Geneva to care for him. Randie leaves after thanking Darren for his help. He tells her to consider burying Michael in Texas.

Darren returns to the homestead in Camilla for a celebratory dinner with his entire family. Mack will not be indicted for Ronnie Malvo’s murder. Darren’s wife attends and he is happy she is there. They attempt to apologize to each other. Bell appears unexpectedly and Darren takes her outside. She says she found Mack’s .38 buried under a newly planted tree in the yard. Darren asserts he knew nothing about it.

Part 4, Chapters 25-Epilogue Analysis

The resolution to the mystery is provided through Isaac, though it is an unsettling one. The revelation that Wally has exploited a person with an intellectual disability and used him to conduct his evil business is revolting. Isaac held the knowledge to bring down a powerful white man, and Wally used it to force him into emotional manipulation and abuse, ending with Isaac committing murder. The flashback to six years prior reveals the true horror of Joe Sweet’s murder and Wally Jefferson’s character. Wally was a bitter, hateful man who could not find happiness in his life and was thus bent on ruining the lives of others who had. Though Darren cannot undo the pain and agony Geneva Sweet has endured, in bringing her the truth of Joe’s death he gives her closure and a release from the hold Wally had over her life. She can move on in peace. The last image given of her is not of her slumped in grievous sobs, but standing and holding her grandson. It is a hopeful image at the end of a long tale of woe.

Darren too finds closure not only with Michael’s case but in his quest to preserve his Ranger status. Though it was not for exposing the ABT, it was enough for him to keep his badge and go on serving his community. With his triumphant return to Camilla, he is greeted by the uncle he loves and respects and whose words have echoed in his heart and mind during the Lark ordeal. Lisa is present, and though it is unclear if they will be able to fully repair the crack in their marriage, they are at least still in love. Darren is ready to breathe a sigh of relief as his dear friend Mack is out of danger when his past shows up literally on his front porch in the form of Bell, his mother. In her search of the compound for cash, she discovered the missing .38 belonging to Mack, the one that killed Ronnie Malvo. Darren swears he was not involved, but as the novel closes and Bell holds the .38 in her handbag, Darren’s future as a Ranger and a man of honor are once again in jeopardy. The emergence of Bell Callis brings the novel full circle and reminds Darren that he can never fully escape his past.