I'll Give You the Sun

Noah empties tubes of colors into the laundry sink, mixing them with his fingers as he thinks about how Dianna drove off an hour ago to ask Benjamin for a divorce. As she started the engine, Noah had yelled “I hate you" at her. A shocked Dianna mouthed “I love you” back at Noah before leaving. As Noah continues to empty tubes of paint, the phone rings. A police officer is on the line asking for the residence of Dianna Sweetwine, and Noah is filled with dread, anticipating that something has gone very wrong: “(SELF-PORTRAIT: The Boy Inside the Boy Stops Breathing)” (338). The police officer refuses to give Noah any information despite his repeated requests, asking for Benjamin’s number instead. As Noah waits for Benjamin to arrive, he uses his binoculars to look for Jude and Zephyr on the beach and the cliffs, but they have disappeared. Benjamin finally arrives, and Noah knows, without him having to say anything, that Dianna has died. As they hug each other, Noah lies to Benjamin that Dianna was on her way to ask Benjamin to come home: “‘Before she left she said that you were the love of her life’” (340).

A sobbing Noah leaves Dianna’s funeral to visit Guillermo’s studio.