Broken Down, Broken Hearts

August Schroeder, a high school science teacher, sets out for a summer road trip in his motor home, haunted by the recent death of his nineteen-year-old son, Phillip. His plans are derailed when his RV breaks down in a small California town. As he waits for repairs, August's grief is palpable, and his only companion is Woody, his energetic terrier. The mechanic, Wes, and his two sons, Seth and Henry, enter August's orbit, their own lives marked by hardship and uncertainty. The boys' tentative play and August's aching memories set the stage for a summer that will test the boundaries of trust, healing, and unexpected family.

An Unlikely Proposal

Wes, the mechanic, reveals his dire situation: he's about to serve a ninety-day jail sentence, and with no family willing to take his sons, the boys face foster care. In a moment of desperation, Wes proposes that August take Seth and Henry on his summer road trip, offering free repairs in exchange. August is initially resistant, overwhelmed by the responsibility and the strangeness of the request. But the boys' vulnerability, Wes's desperation, and August's own need for purpose push him to accept. The arrangement is fraught with uncertainty, but it becomes a lifeline for all involved.

Summer on the Road

August, Seth, Henry, and Woody set out across the American West, visiting national parks and small towns. The boys, who have never traveled beyond their home, are awed by the vastness and beauty of the world. August, still grieving, finds himself both comforted and challenged by their presence. Seth is talkative, eager, and responsible beyond his years, while Henry is silent, traumatized by past foster care. The road trip becomes a crucible for all three, as they navigate the logistics of travel, the pain of loss, and the slow building of trust.

Trust and Tension

As the miles pass, the makeshift family faces moments of joy and friction. Seth's need to be perfect and Henry's silence weigh on August, who struggles with his own guilt and sorrow. The boys' father, Wes, calls from jail, and the boys' conflicting feelings about him surface. August's sobriety is tested by the emotional strain, and the group's dynamic is shaped by secrets, misunderstandings, and the slow, sometimes painful, process of learning to rely on one another.

Secrets and Scars

The journey is punctuated by revelations: August's alcoholism and the circumstances of Phillip's death, Wes's repeated jail stints, and the boys' history of abandonment and trauma. Seth's desire to "fix" his father's drinking leads him to attend AA meetings with August, seeking answers that are elusive and painful. The boys' resilience and vulnerability force August to confront his own limitations as a surrogate parent and as a man still learning to forgive himself.

Climbing Toward Healing

The group's adventures in national parks—Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone—become metaphors for their emotional journeys. Seth's fascination with climbing and the physical challenges of hiking echo his determination to overcome the obstacles in his life. August, carrying Phillip's ashes, seeks meaning and closure in the landscapes his son never got to see. The act of scattering the ashes becomes a shared ritual of letting go, even as the bonds between August and the boys deepen.

Letting Go, Holding On

As the summer wanes, the reality of returning the boys to their father looms. August grapples with the pain of impending separation, while Seth and Henry fear returning to a life marked by instability and disappointment. The boys' intervention with their father is heartfelt but fraught, and August must accept that he cannot save them from every hurt. The act of saying goodbye is both devastating and necessary, a testament to the love that has grown between them.

The Truth About Fathers

Back in California, the boys confront Wes with the truth about his drinking and its impact on their lives. The intervention is raw and honest, but change is uncertain. August, too, must reckon with his own role as a father—what he lost, what he's gained, and what it means to love children who are not his own. The summer's journey has changed them all, but the future remains uncertain.

Lost and Found

When Henry runs away during a stop on the Navajo Nation, the group is thrown into chaos. The search for Henry, aided by Woody and local friends, becomes a test of trust and resilience. The ordeal brings to the surface the boys' fears of abandonment and August's terror of failing them. The eventual reunion is a hard-won affirmation of the family they have become, however temporary.

The Weight of Goodbye

As the summer ends, August must return the boys to Wes, now under house arrest. The farewell is wrenching, marked by promises to stay in touch and the exchange of "mad money" for emergencies. August is left to grapple with the emptiness of his home and the ache of missing the boys, even as he knows he has given them something lasting: the knowledge that someone cares, and that they are not alone.

The Long Return

August resumes his teaching, attends AA meetings, and tries to make peace with his losses. The boys, back with their father, navigate the challenges of a home still marked by addiction and instability. Contact is sporadic, but the connection endures. The lessons of the summer—about love, forgiveness, and the limits of control—echo through the years.

Eight Years Later

Eight years after their summer together, August is diagnosed with a progressive muscle disease. Seth, now a college student and an accomplished climber, reconnects with August via Skype. The news of August's declining health prompts a new journey: Seth and Henry propose to take August on one last summer road trip, reversing the roles of caregiver and cared-for. The motor home, once a symbol of freedom and healing, becomes the vehicle for a new chapter of love and adventure.

Grown, But Not Apart

Seth and Henry, now young men, take charge of the trip, caring for August as he once cared for them. The journey is marked by both nostalgia and new challenges, as August confronts the realities of aging and loss of independence. The boys' devotion is a testament to the family they have chosen, and the trip becomes a celebration of the enduring power of connection.

The Last Summer

August, aware that this may be his final summer on the road, is determined to savor every moment. The group revisits old haunts and explores new ones, practicing the art of "being" rather than "doing." The journey is both a farewell and a renewal, as August learns to accept help and to find joy in the present, even as the future grows uncertain.

Rigorously Honest

The theme of honesty—central to AA and to the characters' growth—comes to the fore as Henry confesses to leaving home without his father's permission. The group navigates the fallout with compassion and integrity, reaffirming their commitment to one another. The lessons of the past are revisited and deepened, as each character learns to balance honesty with kindness.

Full Circle at Niagara

The journey culminates at Niagara Falls, where Seth and Henry fulfill August's dream of sending Phillip's ashes over the falls in a miniature barrel. The act is both a tribute to Phillip's adventurous spirit and a symbol of the love that binds the three travelers. The moment is cathartic, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

Yosemite and Beyond

The summer ends in Yosemite, where Seth undertakes a challenging climb and August reflects on the meaning of family, legacy, and the passage of time. The promise of future summers together offers hope, even as August faces the limitations of his illness. The story closes with a commitment to cherish every moment, every summer, and every connection that makes life meaningful.

Every Summer, Every Moment

The final message is one of presence, gratitude, and the transformative power of chosen family. August, Seth, and Henry have each been changed by their journeys together, learning that love is not limited by blood or circumstance. The story ends with the promise of more summers, more memories, and the enduring truth that every moment matters.

Characters

August Schroeder

August is a high school science teacher whose life is upended by the death of his son, Phillip. His grief is raw and ever-present, shaping his interactions and his journey. August is intelligent, introspective, and deeply compassionate, but also haunted by guilt—over his drinking, his failed marriage, and his inability to save his son. The summer road trip becomes a path to healing, as August learns to open his heart to Seth and Henry, finding purpose in caring for them. Over time, he evolves from a man paralyzed by loss to one who embraces the messy, beautiful reality of chosen family. His later years are marked by physical decline, but also by the enduring love and gratitude of the boys he once saved.

Seth

Seth, the older of Wes's sons, is wise beyond his years, forced into maturity by his father's addiction and his mother's abandonment. He is talkative, eager to please, and driven by a fierce sense of right and wrong. Seth's need to be perfect masks deep insecurities and a longing for approval. His relationship with August is transformative, offering him the safety and guidance he craves. As he grows, Seth becomes an accomplished climber, channeling his need for control and achievement into physical challenges. His devotion to August is unwavering, and he ultimately repays the care he received by becoming August's caretaker and companion in later years.

Henry

Henry, the younger brother, is traumatized by early experiences in foster care and abandonment. He is initially mute, communicating only with Seth, and his silence is both a shield and a wound. Over the course of the journey, Henry slowly opens up, revealing a deep capacity for love, loyalty, and insight. His bond with Woody, the dog, is a source of comfort, and his eventual willingness to speak marks a turning point in his healing. As a young adult, Henry remains introspective and gentle, providing steady support to both Seth and August.

Wes

Wes is a tall, lanky mechanic whose life is defined by addiction, poor choices, and a deep love for his sons. His desperation leads him to entrust his children to a stranger, a decision born of both necessity and hope. Wes is both honest and dishonest, capable of kindness and self-sabotage. His relationship with his sons is fraught, marked by cycles of abandonment and reconciliation. Despite his failings, he is not a villain, but a man struggling against his own demons.

Woody

Woody, August's terrier, is more than a pet—he is a source of joy, comfort, and connection. His playful energy helps break down barriers between August and the boys, and his loyalty is unwavering. Woody's presence is a reminder of the simple, unconditional love that sustains the characters through hardship.

Phillip

Though deceased, Phillip's memory shapes August's journey. His love of adventure, his tragic death, and the ritual of scattering his ashes become central motifs. Phillip represents both the pain of loss and the possibility of healing through remembrance and tribute.

Maggie

Maggie, August's ex-wife, is a complex figure—both a source of pain and a fellow traveler in grief. Their shared history and mutual regrets surface in moments of honesty and attempted reconciliation. Maggie's continued drinking and August's sobriety highlight the divergent paths of coping with loss.

Harvey

Harvey, August's AA sponsor, is a steady presence, offering blunt advice and unwavering support. He challenges August to confront uncomfortable truths, to accept what he cannot control, and to find meaning in service and connection.

Emory

Emory, a Navajo AA member, assists in the search for Henry and offers perspective on the challenges of addiction and family. His wisdom and kindness provide a model of resilience and acceptance.

Dwayne

Dwayne, Seth's climbing partner, represents the world Seth has built for himself as a young adult. His presence underscores Seth's growth and the importance of chosen family and community.

Plot Devices

Road Trip as Healing Journey

The cross-country road trip is both literal and metaphorical, providing the structure for the characters' growth. Each destination—national parks, small towns, iconic landmarks—serves as a backdrop for moments of revelation, conflict, and connection. The journey's unpredictability mirrors the characters' internal struggles, and the act of moving forward becomes a means of healing.

Surrogate Family

The central plot device is the formation of a chosen family. August, Seth, and Henry are thrown together by circumstance, but their bond is forged through mutual need, vulnerability, and acts of care. The story explores the idea that family is not defined by blood, but by love, trust, and the willingness to show up for one another.

Scattering of Ashes

August's plan to scatter Phillip's ashes at meaningful locations is a recurring motif. The act is both a tribute to his son and a way of processing grief. The final scattering at Niagara Falls, in a miniature barrel, is a powerful symbol of release, adventure, and the enduring nature of love.

AA Meetings and Honesty

August's sobriety and participation in AA meetings provide a structure for exploring themes of honesty, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. The meetings serve as spaces for confession, support, and the articulation of hard truths. The principle of "rigorous honesty" becomes a touchstone for the characters' interactions and decisions.

Role Reversal

The passage of time brings a reversal of roles: the boys who were once dependent on August become his caretakers as he faces illness and decline. This device underscores the cyclical nature of love and the importance of reciprocity in relationships.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The story employs foreshadowing—August's early references to loss, the boys' fears of abandonment, the recurring motif of climbing and falling—to build emotional resonance. Symbols such as the motor home, Woody, and the barrel at Niagara Falls enrich the narrative, linking past and present, loss and hope.

Analysis

Take Me with You is a deeply human story about the ways we find connection, meaning, and redemption in the aftermath of loss. Catherine Ryan Hyde crafts a narrative that is both intimate and expansive, using the road trip as a metaphor for the unpredictable journey of healing. The novel explores the limits of control, the necessity of honesty, and the transformative power of love that is freely given and received. Through the evolving relationships between August, Seth, and Henry, the book challenges traditional notions of family, suggesting that the bonds we choose can be as strong—or stronger—than those we inherit. The story is unflinching in its portrayal of pain, addiction, and the messiness of real life, but it is ultimately hopeful, offering the lesson that presence, kindness, and the willingness to "take someone with you" are the keys to surviving—and thriving—after heartbreak. The final message is clear: every summer, every moment, every act of love matters.

Last updated: April 30, 2025