The Lincoln–Kelly Sibling Bond

Lincoln’s grief as Kelly’s brother emerges through protectiveness, anger, avoidance, and a late recognition that he has been taking pain out on others.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Protective Brother

Rules Between Siblings Protectiveness and conflict Lincoln worries about Kelly dating boys in his grade and argues that being older means he knows better. Mutual resistance Kelly counters by setting a rule about people in Ava’s grade; their banter conceals a close but combative sibling bond.

The News of Kelly’s Death

A Family’s Catastrophe The call to Ava’s father Kelly’s family informs Ava’s father before dawn, and the news reaches Ava soon after. Lincoln’s unspoken loss The novel initially shows the death through Ava’s shock, while Lincoln’s grief remains largely hidden behind his later anger.

Anger Displaced

Pain Turned Outward Avoiding direct grief Lincoln and Ava hook up but rarely discuss Kelly, leaving resentment and guilt to surface indirectly. A brother unable to explain Lincoln’s evasions and anger signal that he is struggling, even when he cannot offer Ava the emotional clarity she seeks.

An Honest Admission

Naming His Anger A collapse of defenses Lincoln cries with Ava and Tina, admitting that he misses Kelly and believes she would hate their conflict. Shared vulnerability The scene gives his grief a voice without making him less angry or resolving the damage between him and Ava.

One Day at a Time

A Brother’s Apology Taking responsibility Lincoln admits he is angry at Kelly and has been directing that anger at his family, Ava, and Gideon. A tentative future He and Ava agree they might become friends, treating repair as a process rather than an immediate return to closeness.

During Kelly and Ava’s early high-school years

The early morning Kelly dies

In the months after Kelly’s funeral

After the confrontation in Lincoln’s bedroom

After the formal, before graduation