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I Know This Much is True Chapter 17 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • Back in the present, Dominick and Dr. Patel are listening to more of Thomas's tapes.
  • He talks about horrible things—like Ray raping Ma in front of the kids, and beating Thomas with a belt buckle in the face—that Dominick swears never happened.
  • Dominick kind of blames all this on Thomas, saying he didn't know how to "play defense" (17.169) around Ray.
  • Dominick eventually breaks down, worried that he's never going to get away from Thomas; he calls Thomas his "curse" and his "anchor" (17.273).
  • Lisa Sheffer shows up and lets Dominick know there will be a hearing soon. She tells Dominick that if he shows up "raising holy hell" (17.306) there's a shot they'll release Thomas.
  • Before Dominick leaves, Dr. Patel suggests they concentrate on Dominick, not Thomas: "One brother's treatment should not put another brother at risk" (17.327), she says.