Running With Scissors: A Memoir

Natalie has moved back into the Finch home after it was revealed that her guardian, who was really her 41-year-old boyfriend, was physically and emotionally abusing her. The family pressured Natalie to sue him for damages, and she did so and won but now is left feeling empty and meaningless. She admits to still loving him despite the abuse, and Augusten understands feeling desperate for any type of attention; he realizes that he has a similar relationship with Neil: “This is what bonds us, Natalie and me. We are living in the same madhouse and have gone through the same mad thing and have our bad, ugly loves” (142). Natalie complains that she hates her life now and feels older than she is, much like Augusten often feels. Natalie gets the idea to punch a hole in the kitchen ceiling to open it up, and together she and Augusten smash rocks into it and watch the debris fall around them. They feel free, as if they’re smashing through the things that burden them. The next morning, Dr. Finch awakes and comments offhandedly about the mess in the kitchen. Natalie manipulates him into giving her money to install a skylight, and he agrees as long as they clean up the rubble.