The Goldfinch

Theo accompanies the social workers to a diner where they ask him questions about his father’s whereabouts. Theo does not have much information but lets them know about his grandparents, with whom he does not have a close relationship. Because he is a minor, Theo must go into “emergency custody” (75). Theo opts to stay with Andy Barbour and his family—the two were close in middle school but are less so now, but Andy’s is the first name that comes to mind.

Theo moves into the Barbours’ Park Avenue apartment. Their older son, Platt, is away at school, and the younger siblings, Kitsey and Toddy, are in the house. In the days immediately after Audrey’s death, Theo and Andy stay home and receive visitors who knew Audrey.

Theo goes back to school after about a week and contends with everyone’s expressions of sympathy and sessions with the school psychiatrist. However, his friend Tom Cable avoids him. Theo thinks backs and realizes that he and Audrey were supposed to go to the school meeting because he and Tom had been smoking cigarettes in the courtyard.

Theo’s grandparents get in touch and say that they cannot take him, as his grandmother, Dorothy, is dealing with health issues.