53 pages • 1 hour read
This Is Our Story
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Chapters 25-27
Chapter 25 Summary
Kate approaches Mr. Stone and tries to convince him of Shep’s innocence. She doesn’t tell him about her personal connection to Shep but instead says she has a “gut feeling” (255). Stone isn’t buying it. He’s also upset to learn that someone leaked to the media the fact that Lindsey is the person who pointed a finger at Shep. Since Kate told Shep this, it’s possible that this is how the news got out.
Kate continues her sleuthing, determined to get Shep off the hook. She discovers that Grant had a watch and a class ring go missing, and that his parents filed an insurance claim for the valuables. Kate still thinks that Logan might be the murderer and wonders if he stole the items from Grant and pawned them (in order to pay his gambling debts). She tells Shep her theory and he calls around pawn shops asking about watches. One shop claims to have a nice watch on hand. Kate goes to investigate. At the pawn shop, she sees the two guys who she’d previously seen threaten and assault Logan. Kate tells Mr. Stone about her theory, and what she saw. He agrees that it’s a possible lead and will investigate.
The chapter concludes with a single line from John Michael’s point of view: “The girl with the camera? Still a problem” (263).
Chapter 26 Summary
Kate shows up early at school to enjoy her solitude in the media arts room, her favorite place at school. Shep shows up to surprise her. He’s no longer wearing the usual outfit of khaki’s and a button-down like the other River Point Boys but is clad in jeans and a t-shirt. He tells Kate, “I’ve decided it’s time to be myself, for better or worse” (265). She likes the “new” Shep, and they kiss.
At work later that day, Mr. Stone receives an envelope with a photo in it. Because of his macular degeneration, he can’t tell who is in the photo. He asks Kate to tell him. She’s shocked to see that it’s a photo of her kissing Shep. Kate confesses to Stone and her mom. Stone fires her on the spot. He is rightfully angry: “You are jeopardizing this entire case! I trusted you and you’re kissing this…this…killer behind my back” (267).
Kate calls Shep for comfort, only to be confronted with more bad news. Henry, Logan, and John Michael have been offered a deal. They will testify against Shep in order to have their own charges dropped.
John Michael’s point of view takes over. He describes another secret meeting with Henry and Logan, and describes how he manipulated them into taking the deal and ratting Shep out. He also reveals that as soon as they’ve signed their plea deals, he plans to carry through his plan to use the previously mentioned pills to harm Lindsey.
Chapter 27 Summary
Kate and Shep meet in a park to talk. Shep seems to be in despair and tells Kate, “I’m scared I’m going to jail for something I didn’t do” (274). She’s not ready to give up on him yet, though.
At home, Kate tells her mom all about Shep. Mrs. Marino tells Kate to stop seeing him immediately, noting that they can’t afford for her to lose her job over this as well. She also notes that Kate could be in danger, and urges her to simply let Shep’s family and lawyers get him out of trouble. Kate agrees but secretly resolves to continue on her mission to help Shep, thinking, “I don’t know how she can still be so optimistic when it comes to the legal system after all these years. I’m not” (277).
John Michael describes the testimony he, Logan, and Henry gave pointing the finger at Shep. They all claim they saw Shep pick up the gun, and that they were scared to admit it when they were first questioned. He describes the process as “easy, really. Almost too easy” (278).
Chapters 25-27 Analysis
The way in which Shep is framed for Grant’s murder in these chapters epitomizes one of the book’s major themes: the flawed nature of the criminal justice system. This critique of the legal system goes hand-in-hand with the book’s other central themes, the unfairness of privilege and the indestructible nature of the “good ol’ boys” club. Kate even calls out this invisible “club” directly when she learns that the other three boys have taken a plea deal, through Gaines, and turned on Shep: “The DA is handling this for his ‘good ol’ boy’ friends. And I’m back to wanting to smash things” (271). Kate rightfully recognizes how the system, which is meant to be fair for all, is being twisted to serve the interests of a privileged few. Her lack of faith in the system fuels her personal investigation into Grant’s killing. She is confident that justice will not be served.
John Michael’s narrative supports Kate’s point of view and the book’s overall argument that the criminal justice system is anything but just. Having manipulated the other boys into taking the plea deal, he describes the process of their incriminating testimony as being “easy, really. Almost too easy” (278). The boys are blatantly lying so that they can pin the murder on Shep and be acquitted. The fact that Shep can’t refute these allegations and may well go down for a crime he didn’t commit is shocking. It’s even more jarring when remembering that Shep is a wealthy white male from a powerful family. If he doesn’t stand a chance in such a situation, how shall a person without those connections and power manage?
Kate’s personal development in these chapters solidifies her character as a champion for justice. She appears to be the only person still fighting for Shep, convinced that she can prove his innocence by finding the real killer. In her pursuit of the truth, however, she loses her job—and fractures her relationships with Mr. Stone and her own mother. She seems to be in blind pursuit of the truth, disregarding her own security and safety. The saying “justice is blind” comes to mind. Ironically, Stone suggests that Kate is blind in terms of Shep—not seeing his guilt. The fact that Stone, who is in charge of bringing Grant’s murderer to justice, has an eye condition that limits his vision is also fitting. Stone, the figure of justice in this case, is technically (partially) blind.
As the book gears up for its dramatic climax, the action starts to unfold more quickly. Kate makes more revelations, fueled by the deadline of Shep’s upcoming trial. Meanwhile, she remains in John Michael’s sights as a potential target. The narrative tension is heightened as the reader learns that John Michael plans to harm Lindsey. The reader is left worried and wondering what he might do to Kate, because he sees “the girl with the camera” as “still a problem” (263).
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