Della and her father, Al’s, relationship is a special one in Fallen Through. Although they don’t share a lot of moments together, it is very much implied that they are close—and this is very much the case in real life too!
Toward the end of the novel, once Al picks up Della from the airport, they share a conversation in the car where Al heavily implies that every question doesn’t have an answer and that Della will have to learn to be okay with this as a reality.
And at the end of Fallen Through, Della never really gets any closure or answers. There’s no explanation for Tyler’s actions and there’s no peace for Della despite all she does to find it. It’s a very bleak ending and it is very much hinted at with Della’s interactions with her father. Furthermore, Della’s future is ultimately left up to interpretation as there is a very strong possibility that this will plague her for a very long time.
This very much reflects the relationship in which Fallen Through was based on—I never got so much as a goodbye or an answer as to why it didn’t work out. I learned to be okay with not knowing though and for Della’s sake, I hope she learns this too.
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