Unwind: Chapter 36 Summary & Analysis

Risa is the first to notice that there’s something wrong with both Connor and Lev. It annoys her, since she feels at home and even thinks she might join the Army as a medic when she turns 18. She heads for a study jet early one morning. Connor is already there and looks very tired. He’s reading Criminology for Morons, which Risa finds troubling. Connor looks around and says that the Admiral is looking for replacements for the Goldens. He asks Risa to promise that if the Admiral asks her, she’ll refuse, and says that the Admiral asked him and probably asked Emby. Risa asks if she can help, but Connor kisses her. Risa kisses him back.

Risa realizes that Lev scares her. He comes to the infirmary one morning with a bad sunburn, which he got because he didn’t follow the rules and wear sunscreen. He reluctantly takes off his shirt so Risa can inspect his back. Risa sees the handprint and asks who hit him. Lev refuses to say and in a dead voice, tells Risa to give him cream for the burn. Risa says she misses the old Lev; this Lev is too creepy for her. Lev points out that he tricked Risa and turned her into the police and says that he has better things to do now.

There’s a work call the next day, which Cleaver runs. There are only a few jobs, one of which is a brutal one on an oil pipeline in Alaska. Three kids raise their hands: a boy Risa doesn’t know, Mai, and Lev. Risa stares in disbelief and exchanges a glance with Connor. The minute she reaches the infirmary, she calls for messengers until Lev arrives. She orders him into the back room and asks what he’s thinking taking the job. He insists he just wants to see Alaska and when Risa threatens to tell the Admiral he’s seriously ill, Lev says he’s not naïve anymore—there are things he has to do. Risa lets him go but tells him he’s naïve and stupid. She believes she won’t see him again.