We Need to Talk About Kevin: Chapter 9: December 21, 2000 Summary & Analysis

Eva’s symptoms are caused by severe bacterial mastitis in both breasts, and she spends five days in the hospital. She finds her time in the hospital—where she is away from Kevin—a relief, even though her condition is very painful. Franklin hires a nanny for Kevin, but she quits in the middle of her first day. He hires a new nanny named Siobhan, a good-natured woman whom Eva adores. Eva eventually heals. And with Siobhan watching Kevin, Eva returns to work and feels revitalized. She looks back on her time at home with Kevin and now considers that she was crazy to accuse a baby of trying to break apart her marriage.

Siobhan becomes close to Franklin and Eva, but Eva notices that though Siobhan is a diligent caretaker, she doesn’t talk about Kevin much. Over time, she becomes more distant from the family, and she starts to seem disturbed. Siobhan begins to call in sick often, on which days Eva stays home with Kevin. Eva confides in Siobhan that she is unhappy with Kevin. Siobhan understands—she says that Kevin doesn’t seem to like her and that he pulls her hair to hurt her on purpose. Siobhan tells Eva that she can’t continue to watch Kevin. Eva is defeated at the news, but she offers Siobhan a job at her travel company. As Eva and Siobhan talk, Kevin awakes and screams from his crib.

Eva goes to Kevin but doesn’t comfort him. As he screams, she talks to him, swearing and telling him that he makes her miserable. Kevin is a year and a half old, and he doesn’t speak, though Siobhan says he should by now. As Eva talks to Kevin, Franklin walks in the room. He’s upset, and he tells Eva that toddlers can understand speech even if they don’t speak. Eva asks Franklin if what Siobhan told her is true—that Franklin wants to move to the suburbs. Franklin confirms, explaining that it will be good for Kevin. Eva, however, wants to stay in New York.