Invisible Son

Content Warning: This section discusses the death of a loved one.

On March 31, 2020, Andre, Grandma J, and Sierra go to the hospital. When they reach the reception desk, they learn that the hospital isn’t accepting visitors. Andre’s mom comes out and says that she’ll try to figure something out. They wait in the lobby.

Andre goes toward the psychiatric ward to see a friend of his mom’s, Dr. Vitale. He asks about Eric, and while she can’t disclose if she treated him, she says that she would’ve reviewed his file and that his name isn’t familiar. Andre realizes that Mr. Whitaker lied to him.

On April 5, Grandma J asks Andre if he’s excited to start school again. All the schools have transitioned to remote learning.

Sierra is going home soon, and Andre is not excited. The Whitakers have kept sending over care packages, though Andre is reluctant to accept anything besides food. He doesn’t want to feel indebted to the family. He is also trying to figure out Mr. Whitaker’s motivations for lying. He concludes that the Whitakers must know where Eric is.

Andre struggles to log in because his computer is so old. He sits in on the classes he shares with Sierra, but he feels like he won’t be able to access the online classes he needs.