A Father Returns to Tessa’s Life

After We Collided

Tessa’s encounter with her estranged father reopens childhood questions about alcoholism and family, while the book leaves their relationship unresolved.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Buried Childhood A Buried Childhood from "After We Collided". A Buried Childhood A violent home Tessa grows up witnessing her father’s drinking and his abuse of her mother before he leaves the family.

A Buried Childhood from "After We Collided". A Buried Childhood A violent home Tessa grows up witnessing her father’s drinking and his abuse of her mother before he leaves the family.

A Buried Childhood A violent home Tessa grows up witnessing her father’s drinking and his abuse of her mother before he leaves the family. Memory kept at a distance She has not seen him for years and has rarely examined what his absence means to her.

News of His Return News of His Return from "After We Collided". News of His Return Tessa learns the truth Noah tells Tessa that her father has moved back to Washington, a fact her mother had kept from her.

News of His Return from "After We Collided". News of His Return Tessa learns the truth Noah tells Tessa that her father has moved back to Washington, a fact her mother had kept from her.

News of His Return Tessa learns the truth Noah tells Tessa that her father has moved back to Washington, a fact her mother had kept from her. Choice reclaimed Tessa resents that her mother decided on her behalf that he would not contact her. She wants the right to choose whether to meet him.

A Difficult Conversation A Difficult Conversation from "After We Collided". A Difficult Conversation An argument with her mother Tessa confronts Mrs. White about the news and is dismissed rather than comforted.

A Difficult Conversation from "After We Collided". A Difficult Conversation An argument with her mother Tessa confronts Mrs. White about the news and is dismissed rather than comforted.

A Difficult Conversation An argument with her mother Tessa confronts Mrs. White about the news and is dismissed rather than comforted. Old anger resurfaces The encounter leaves Tessa distressed and thinking about the parent she has not seen, prompting her to seek comfort elsewhere.

Hardin Offers Shelter Hardin Offers Shelter from "After We Collided". Hardin Offers Shelter A familiar refuge Tessa calls Hardin and asks whether she can come back. He immediately welcomes her.

Hardin Offers Shelter from "After We Collided". Hardin Offers Shelter A familiar refuge Tessa calls Hardin and asks whether she can come back. He immediately welcomes her.

Hardin Offers Shelter A familiar refuge Tessa calls Hardin and asks whether she can come back. He immediately welcomes her. Comfort and complication His response gives her a place to land, while reinforcing how closely her family distress has become entangled with her relationship.

The Street Encounter The Street Encounter from "After We Collided". The Street Encounter Recognition in the snow Tessa sees a disheveled man outside a tattoo shop and recognizes him as her father.

The Street Encounter from "After We Collided". The Street Encounter Recognition in the snow Tessa sees a disheveled man outside a tattoo shop and recognizes him as her father.

The Street Encounter Recognition in the snow Tessa sees a disheveled man outside a tattoo shop and recognizes him as her father. A new unresolved chapter The recognition shocks her before either can speak meaningfully. The ending opens a family story that neither Tessa nor Hardin can control.

Before Tessa begins college

Christmas break

The day Tessa returns to her mother’s home

Minutes after Tessa leaves her mother’s house

Near the end of the book