Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk: Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

After the show, Bravo huddles backstage, apparently forgotten. Sykes cries as the roadies yell at Bravo to leave. Bravo doesn't leave and instead discusses having seen Beyoncé. Billy tells Dime that he feels sick. Dime insists that everyone's fine, and this is “just another normal day in America,” and Billy replies that he doesn't know what normal is anymore. The roadie foreman snaps at Bravo again to leave but stops when Crack asks where they're supposed to go. Crack insults the foreman, and all of a sudden, a brawl breaks out. Billy tries to keep a roadie from chasing Dime, who attempts to pull Crack off the foreman.

When Dime gives the word, Bravo stops. They have minimal injuries, though Lodis' lip is split and bloody. Cops lead Bravo away, listen to their story, and then send them across the field to figure out where to go. Billy is thrilled to see a concerned-looking Faison run out to meet them. She's horrified to see that some of the Bravos are hurt and that the Bravos were left unattended after halftime. She shares that the roadies have made trouble before and almost beat up Lyle Lovett a few weeks ago.

The cheerleaders are incensed on the Bravos' behalf and fetch ice for the injuries. Faison asks Billy about Sykes, who's still crying. Billy explains that he's emotional and misses his wife, and when Faison asks, Billy shares that they're going to be back in Iraq until next October. She remarks on the sacrifices the Bravos make, and Billy studies her face. When Faison asks if  Billy dreads going back, he answers that at least Bravo will be together. Faison talks about the bonding that happens when you face group challenges and then asks Billy if he's seeing anyone. He wonders if he should ask her to marry him.

As Billy puts Faison's number in his phone, he explains that Kathryn is his sister. He points out Patty and his mom, who's in his phone as Denise, and explains that Ray doesn't have his own phone. Faison asks if he'll see them before he leaves, and Billy explains that they said goodbye the day before. She insists that she has to go but lingers when she feels how strong Billy's arm is. He promises to meet her where he did before and watches her jog away. Billy calls her phone and waits for it to go to voicemail. He listens to her message and thinks that watching her while listening to her disembodied voice is a strange sensation.