A List of Cages

Adam and Emerald’s spring break hiking trip is told through Adam’s narration in this chapter. Adam tells his mom he’s going on a hiking trip with Charlie, and Emerald doesn’t give her mother any excuse because she says her mother won’t notice that she’s gone.

The first day they spend hiking, and the second day they spend swimming in the lake in their underwear. On the third day, while they are traveling through a forest, Emerald tells Adam she’s ready to have sex whenever he is.

They go back to their cabin immediately. Emerald is shy and embarrassed, and she tells Adam that she’s not “unbreakable” like he is (174). She says that he’s “‘so comfortable with [himself], [he] make[s] everyone else feel comfortable too’” (174). Emerald tells Adam that she doesn’t think he really needs people, but Adam assures her that this is not true. He says, "'I need you as much as you need me'" (174).

Adam begins narrating the beginning of this chapter as he gives Charlie a ride after school. Charlie complains about Julian riding with them again, and Adam tells Charlie if he has a problem with Julian, he doesn't have to ride with them.