Story Bible CTL3 — Climbing Higher¶

Last updated through CTL3 ch 66.

Setting and chronology: Setting_and_Timeline.md.

Book summary¶

From January through July 1983, Jonathan Kane’s FX analyst role, Cincinnatus Fund growth, and the Morse Avenue household narrow around one crisis: Keiko Suzuki’s leukemia. Bev Newton flees Ohio after the Glen Rodgers revelation, hides in St. Louis, then breaks down in Overland Park; Jonathan poses as Heather’s father, brings Bev back to Chicago as a friend, and arranges counseling and Glen’s child support through Stefan Chojnicki. He closes on 1840 W. Morse, moves from Estes, and hosts a large housewarming while managing Violet’s parole crisis and healthcare POA, Teri’s marriage ultimatum, and shifting ties with Anna, Marcia, and Jeri.

Keiko’s AML diagnosis at Rush-Presbyterian drives induction chemo, blast-count ambiguity, transplant talk, and fertility risk. Jonathan winds down promiscuity, closes Hart-Lincoln at ~$5.5M, hires Bianca on the FX desk, and wins Overland Park police/fire pension and benevolence mandates (~$18M + ~$3M) on July 13. Mokume-gane rings and Shinto wedding planning frame an engagement he will not revoke for prognosis; he proposes that night in the Japanese room. Violet grieves but remains a close friend; Glen and Bev reconcile. Book 3 ends engaged, with wedding and medical outcomes ahead.

CTL 3 Chapter Summaries¶

Chapter 1: Bev calls from Ohio (Jan 23, 1983) and confesses Glen Rodgers is Heather’s father; Jonathan wrestles with his promise to her versus telling Linda. He starts as FX analyst Jan 24, shorts the Bolivar on day one, impresses Matheson, and dates Haley at The Berghoff while debating Spurgeon office-relationship ethics.
Chapter 2: Jonathan begins Hancock gym workouts with Tim Anderson, offers 10% below list on a Morse Avenue Rogers Park house, and juggles Violet, Clara, Ellie, and Teri. Super Bowl Sunday (Jan 30) Bev asks for $1,500 to flee to the McGills in St. Louis; Jonathan lends the money and hosts a Redskins 27–17 party with Esme, Jasmine, and Carla Rizzi.
Chapter 3: Jonathan’s second date with Clara (Jan 29) becomes sex with Marie and Jenny at the Bentons’; dinner and Cat People follow. Bev’s Super Bowl call confirms the St. Louis plan; Beth visits after the game; Jonathan explains his Bolivar/gold/silver bets to roommates (~$250K–$300K potential on ~$8K risk).
Chapter 4: Bill Wyatt counters on Morse; Jonathan counters at 3% under list with seller-paid boiler replacement (Jan 30–31). Ellie gets an honesty talk about casual vs. couple expectations; Nelson advises Jonathan he must tell the FBI Bev’s location if asked; Miranda replaces Haley for Jack/Kristy Friday.
Chapter 5: Jonathan signs the Morse contract and files the Spurgeon mortgage application (Feb 1); Haley cancels Friday dates over his no-Spurgeon-dating rule. Bev reaches St. Louis; Mr. Newton demands her location; Jonathan refuses. Nexis demo is set for Feb 18 at U of C.
Chapter 6: FBI and Cook County Sheriff visit (Feb 2); Jonathan gives the McGill address. Bev wires her Ohio account through him; Glen’s paternity stays secret. Linda breaks her engagement to Glen after he confesses; Jonathan tells Bev. Ellie and Keiko overnights continue; Clara visits for Saturday Night Fever (Feb 5).
Chapter 7: Marcia breakfast (Feb 6): Cincinnatus Fund terms, house closing March 25, compliance culture; Hawks beat Rangers. Deanna commissions four paintings ($500) and schedules first-Sunday visits. Mortgage commitment arrives Feb 7; Haley interviews at Allen & Baker; Keiko loses her virginity to Jonathan.
Chapter 8: Anala lunch (Feb 8): ethics of word vs. duty; Kasia agrees to early lease termination ($40/week incentive) and sober AA recovery; Lou Malnati’s reconciliation. Paige resents Jonathan’s rise. Violet dinner tension over missed Wednesdays; Bianca/Shelly threesome Feb 10; Teri date set for Washington’s Birthday.
Chapter 9: Lily dinner (Feb 9) raises Violet’s feelings; Teri Washington’s Birthday date arranged. Feb 11 Bianca/Shelly/Jonathan trio; Friday Keiko joins Jack/Kristy (The Blues Brothers at IIT). Feb 12–13 Marcia Waukesha weekend collapses when she books one king room; Jonathan offers to leave; she won’t discuss sex; they return in silence.
Chapter 10: Marcia fallout (Feb 12 PM): Jonathan calls Clara, Deanna for Art Institute after-hours tour and philosophy talk; Bev confirms TWA job. Feb 13 suburban Clara date (Aurora spaghetti); she wants Chicago colleges near his house. Feb 14 Anna’s Swedish Valentine treats tempt Jonathan to break his office-dating rule.
Chapter 11: Anala coffee (Feb 15): no exception for Anna; Paige threatens suit—Mrs. Peterson interviews Jonathan; Haley accepts Allen & Baker (last day March 4). Anna starts gym workouts; Mrs. Peterson on culture change. Ellie asks about Loyola group party; Anna brings kanelbulle. Teri date confirmed.
Chapter 12: Doctor Darmody physical (Feb 17); blood type A+. Keiko’s Japanese bathing ritual; Nexis demo. Venezuela devalues 50%—Jonathan’s fund ~$400K; Paige terminated with NDA. Jack/Kristy/Lily Friday; Clara breakup over Valentine’s disappointment and “love” vs. Jonathan’s logic; Esme/Jasmine exception for HS virgins.
Chapter 13: Feb 19 pizza/movie night: Izzy Stevens loses virginity on camera to eleven Loyola girls; weekend orgy rounds. Feb 20 Mom call: don’t let Bev define his future; PI hired. Feb 21 Washington’s Birthday Billy Goat/Museum of Science and Industry with Teri—blunt church/sex checklist; second date agreed.
Chapter 14: Feb 20 evening: Bianca says he “rescues” Bev/Violet/Deanna; Shelly advises yes to Keiko/Deanna move-ins and one deeper relationship. Feb 21: agrees both move in; short list Violet, Anna, Haley, Teri, Shelly. Spurgeon adds $5M to Cincinnatus Fund plus $50K bonus; passport/St. Martin trip if metals crash.
Chapter 15: Jeri dinner (Feb 22): six-figure Bolivar gains; house closing March 18. Allyson asks about Clara; casual sex. Amex card arrives. Feb 23 Violet talk: broaches girlfriend option; she’s unsure about intimacy; ball in her court until semester end. Silver/gold slide; close orders placed.
Chapter 16: Feb 26 Teri date: pre-marital sex debate at Ricobene’s and Wrath of Khan; timing-only impasse, date continues. Feb 27 Beth steak date; Mom on Glen/child support and PI risk. Feb 28 Jonathan warns Mrs. Newton; Bev refuses Glen’s support; fears parents will drive her away again.
Chapter 17: Nelson explains PI skip-tracing (Feb 27). Beth date: Jewish tradition vs. Jonathan’s atheism; steak and sex. Feb 28 PI Patrick Shaughnessy—Jonathan refuses info. Anna asks for Tuesday dinner; Kasia pizza and first sober sex (trial only). March 3: Spurgeon approves two Nexis terminals; Spurgeon wants Marcia cultivated for Mayor Washington intel.
Chapter 18: On Haley’s last day at Spurgeon, Jonathan’s blunt first date (utilitarian ethics, atheism, no “in love”) clashes with her wish to become a couple soon; she sends him home after ice cream while leaving the door open. Haley warns the firm is a secretary-harem trap and golden handcuffs. That night Josie asks to stay over; they sleep together while he still won’t commit.
Chapter 19: Date three with Teri ends when neither will budge on sex before marriage. Tammy McGill reports Bev and Heather vanished from St. Louis with cash and no trace. Bianca ties his paralysis to Bev as the unspoken standard; he calls Mom (who has seen Glen again) and spends the day with Deanna at an Oak Park gallery, where she pitches virginal friend Cecilia.
Chapter 20: Deanna urges a serious art budget and describes Cecilia; Bill Wyatt confirms the Morse Avenue closing on March 18. Troy confesses Teri’s teen pregnancy and abortion, explaining her no-sex rule without changing Jonathan’s stance. At Eli’s with Anna he learns Swedish “sex first, date later” norms; they sleep together and she accepts his Saint Martin invite and nude-beach dare.
Chapter 21: Anna rides the elevator with him; Matheson hires Jerry Stein and teen secretary Mia Naismith. He phones Marcia for a West Loop lunch to keep a Mayor’s-office contact; passport and Anna as trip companion are set. After Violet jumps into his lap he gets a 2:49 a.m. call—panic attack at Rush—and spends the night briefing staff against Dr. Lochner.
Chapter 22: Doctor Baum learns Violet’s crisis was her mother’s parole voicemail, not Jonathan; Lochner’s 72-hour hold fails and Violet is discharged. Nelson orders trial transcripts; Violet signs healthcare power of attorney at Spurgeon. Jonathan promises protection, cancels nothing with Marcia, and lunches with her while Lily watches Violet.
Chapter 23: Marcia’s lunch stays a muddle of sex talk without honesty; he works a half day and signs Violet’s POA. Parole officer says contact would revoke Violet’s mother; roommates learn the 1977 Riverside abuse backstory. With Jack, Kristy, and Ellie at Second City he defends consent and non-assumption about sex; late talk with Shelly and Bianca on self-interest versus client duty.
Chapter 24: Teri proposes marriage in June or July, collapsing his chastity objection; Bianca and Shelly argue he is blocked by Bev and a defensive promise to Violet. Deanna rents porn (including anal curiosity); Esme confirms the Princeton visit. He will keep dating Teri to June while holding out hope for Bev.
Chapter 25: He invites Teri to a Friday double date with Jack and Kristy and sets boundaries on Violet and housemates. Keiko discusses Shinto marriage, tatami, and tolerating his other partners. Lily says he must resolve Bev and Violet before she would commit; Spurgeon approves Nexis and IBM PC/XTs. Teri offers pre-wedding sex; he refuses; Allyson’s father learns about Clara.
Chapter 26: Bianca’s “red wings” night; Shelly begins exclusive dating with Rush med student Perry Nielson and plans her own room. Friday with Teri at the Berghoff and High Road to China ends in Oberweis debate on sex, religion, and exclusivity. Marcia visits, confesses her “party girl” persona was mostly make-out reputation and two awkward lays.
Chapter 27: Perry matches to Cook County ER; Jonathan still has no word from Bev. Anna argues Bev has ended the relationship by disappearing; he struggles to accept it. Anala lunch is scheduled; Deanna stops pressing the Bev issue. Passport arrives; Violet gets plumbing-company clerk job offer.
Chapter 28: Shower talk with Keiko on race, internment, and winning her grandfather over her mother. Reagan’s SDI speech moves market research; Anala calls his Bev loyalty a cage only he can open. Final walkthrough; March 25 closing on Morse Avenue; stressed Marcia dinner where she advises telling himself the truth about Bev.
Chapter 29: Saturday painting crew finishes coat one; Beth at Eli’s. Sunday second coat; Jonathan admits he lied to himself—Bev was his real girlfriend and default future, but he will not wait forever. Esme and Katy’s overnight; Monday floor refinishing with Mr. Kind; Bianca sets bed rotation; Miranda date in Fox Valley.
Chapter 30: Good Friday mass move from Estes to Morse—U-Haul, paint prep, Deanna’s studio haul, Kasia inspection set. Josie overnight; five-girl rotation (Bianca, Miranda, Ellie, Josie) with Keiko last. Bianca negotiates Monday/Wednesday/Thursday nights with Keiko and Deanna; Shelly will move in with Perry June 1.
Chapter 31: Saturday housewarming (~70 guests); Perry meets the household. Sunday CeCi (Cecilia) visits from Milford—Quaker film student loses virginity with Jonathan; Deanna facilitates, sketches included. Bianca approves CeCi renting Shelly’s room in August; Tuesday date with CeCi and Deanna planned.
Chapter 32: CeCi afternoon on bed rules, Bianca’s harem idea, and negotiated extremes; she stays through Monday commute with Jack. Spurgeon adds overnight trader and portfolio managers; capital raise nears $800M AUM. Sharon, Debbie, and Lydia demand their “turn” after Anna; CeCi plans August move-in.
Chapter 33: Overland Park police: Bev breakdown at a motel; Heather at risk of Kansas foster care by noon tomorrow. Jonathan claims to be Heather’s father, books TWA with Violet as baby coach, gets emergency leave, and arranges McGill backup. He packs a suit for authorities, postpones Deanna’s scene, and flies toward a crisis he is improvising step by step.
Chapter 34: Jonathan and Violet fly to Overland Park after Bev’s crisis; he poses as Heather’s father to satisfy police and DCFS, gets Heather released, and visits Bev on Internal Medicine for sub-clinical depression. Bev is shocked he lied but accepts it; they agree on counseling, Glen’s child support, and driving her to Chicago the next day. That night Jonathan and Violet care for Heather at the motel and talk through his history with Bev.
Chapter 35: Jonathan drives Bev, Heather, and Violet back to Chicago, insisting on friendship only and that Bev accept counseling and Glen’s support. Bev stays at Violet’s; he tells Bianca the same limits. Anna ends their relationship over the Kansas trip; he meets Josie, arranges child support through Chojnicki, and takes Violet to counselor Nancy Jane Moore, who questions his intentions toward Violet.
Chapter 36: After Nancy’s sessions, Violet and Jonathan acknowledge they’ve been “dating” in all but name; he tells her he’s attracted to her but will always support Bev too. He dates Keiko (Poltergeist), debates sex and marriage with Teri (they agree to platonic dating), installs Nexis at work, and Harold Washington wins the mayoral election. Bev starts a mom’s support group; Violet misses one-on-one time with Jonathan.
Chapter 37: Jonathan recommends hiring analyst Cassidy over veteran Steve and begins planning to leave Spurgeon’s toxic culture. He and Violet attend a Hawks playoff game (7–4 over Minnesota); she questions his lie about Heather and his ethics on fidelity versus necessary fibs. He gives Teri an ultimatum to stop debating sex; she chooses dinner and Flashdance instead.
Chapter 38: After the Beirut embassy bombing, Spurgeon approves Jonathan taking five housemates (not Kristy) to Saint Martin instead of Anna. He discusses geopolitics and gender roles with Violet at the diner, announces the trip at home, and Keiko stays over. Jack mentions Shelly’s engagement; Jonathan dates Beth that evening.
Chapter 39: Jonathan evades investigator Ted Farley while Bev interviews at Hart-Lincoln and will move to Beth’s apartment with Lily’s help. Jack confides Jonathan’s five-to-six-year plan to leave Spurgeon with Jack and Ellie. Farley’s firm traces the Kansas trip via the motel; Jonathan tells the housemates and arranges counter-surveillance. Hawks advance to face Edmonton.
Chapter 40: At Jeri’s dinner Jonathan pitches Nelson’s pension fund to Thomas Hart; Jeri asks for a private dinner date. Investigator Farley confronts him at Spurgeon with Bev’s parents’ letter; Jonathan refuses it and bans him from the building. Marcia pulls him to Mayor Washington’s Inaugural Ball (Lily swaps dates); afterward Marcia initiates a much more open sexual relationship.
Chapter 41: After the ball, Marcia and Jonathan have an extended, uninhibited weekend; he keeps it casual but friendly. Bianca discusses Violet, Keiko, Saint Martin, and her plan for a child with him before marriage. Jonathan dines with Bev, learns she still loves Glen, and they share a final night together before she will call Glen about Heather.
Chapter 42: Bev invites Glen to Chicago; Jonathan updates his mom and resists Jim Newton’s pressure. Teri hosts a Sunday dinner date with continued debates on commitment and church. Monday brings a routine CFTC compliance inquiry on Bolivar and metals trades. Bev gets the Hart-Lincoln job; Violet asks for a real hug after class.
Chapter 43: Haley Davis meets Jonathan for coffee; they agree he’s not ready for her vision of “in love” marriage. Murray assigns a Bernie Madoff hedge-fund analysis; Bianca helps build spreadsheet models. Jonathan takes Violet to Italian Village for her birthday; on the couch she says she wants intimacy but is scared—chapter ends on that admission.
Chapter 44: Violet’s desire triggers trauma flashbacks to her father abusing Rose; Jonathan comforts her overnight without sex. Sunday waffles bring a deep talk: a kiss with Violet would mean exclusive commitment, while full intimacy may never be possible. They agree on patience and mutual consent before any first kiss; he tells Bianca the same. Later, Keiko’s anemia workup begins ahead of dinner at his uncle’s.
Chapter 45: At Aunt Wendy’s, Jonathan learns his evangelical grandfather will likely reject his atheism and Keiko’s Shinto; Wendy gives contact info. He trains Ellie, discusses Shinto with Jack, and pitches Hart’s firm his fund. Bianca models Madoff’s claimed returns. Glen visits Bev successfully; she’ll see him again on Memorial Day. Jonathan begins reaching out to his grandfather.
Chapter 46: Jonathan dines with Jeri at Morton’s; she drops manipulation for a straight “occasional lovers” arrangement and they spend the night at her house (staff launder his suit). He pitches Hart again over lunch. At a French-film date with Meg, Jack, and Kristy, he comes home to find Keiko distraught—her doctor suspects leukemia.
Chapter 47: Keiko’s blast cells prompt a bone-marrow biopsy; Jonathan accompanies her at Rush-Presbyterian. AML with maturation is confirmed; she tells grandfather Ichirō and parents Itsurō and Hanako. Jonathan cancels dates, gains work flexibility, and meets oncologist Doctor Morrison, who cites roughly 50% five-year survival with chemo versus near-certain death without.
Chapter 48: Keiko urges Jonathan to keep living normally; he takes Meg out (Blue Thunder) for an all-night encounter. Marcus Washington estimates a hot tub, deck, and fire pit; Keiko picks bonsai at Gethsemane Garden Center and they Japanese-theme the front room. Bianca is told to interview at Spurgeon; Jonathan adjusts his schedule with Personnel for Keiko’s appointments.
Chapter 49: Doctor Morrison outlines induction chemo (up to five weeks inpatient), possible CNS involvement, and Saturday start so Keiko can finish exams. She gets a transfusion and medical power of attorney for Jonathan; he postpones Saint Martin. At dinner Violet cuddles on his lap and they discuss what married intimacy might mean, then go to class.
Chapter 50: Japan’s earthquake barely moves markets; Jonathan buys Philippine peso puts. Bianca interviews on the FX desk and is hired at $30K + bonus potential starting June 13. He tells her at Violet’s; they joke about “that was fast.” Violet teases about sex timing but panic still blocks intimacy; the house sees Return of the Jedi before Jonathan drives Keiko to Rush to begin chemotherapy.
Chapter 51: Keiko starts induction chemo at Rush-Presbyterian; Jonathan gets medical POA and daily bedside support through a rough Memorial Day party. Hart-Lincoln closes at $5.5M for his fund, and he begins Soviet-trade research while Bianca and Deanna help him steady emotionally around Keiko.
Chapter 52: He notarizes Hart-Lincoln paperwork, calls the Soviet Embassy, and debates Spurgeon’s diversity gaps with Matheson. Keiko worsens on chemo; Miranda gets a gentle date, Teri gets Crosby, Stills & Nash tickets, and he already doubts Ellie’s expanded “baseball” plan.
Chapter 53: Keiko finishes induction; Jonathan turns down Marcia for an overnight and takes Teri to the CSN concert. Teri argues her chastity rule versus his lifestyle while they wait for Monday’s blast-count results.
Chapter 54: After the concert, Monday labs show ~14% blasts—a 60% drop, not remission—so consolidation is next. Beth presses him on bottled-up feelings; Keiko spikes a fever; Cubs Fourth of July plans take shape.
Chapter 55: Beth floats bondage; he cancels Ellie’s nine-girl “assembly line” and spends the night with Meg and bisexual Loyola freshman Nicole instead. Bianca stops the Pill; Keiko OKs a limited baby timeline with Bianca; Teri dates continue without sex.
Chapter 56: Nicole and Meg’s extended encounter contrasts Ellie’s mechanical plan; Bianca hears he is retiring from group games. Teri date and Trading Places clarify she cannot compete with Keiko; CeCi is lined up for Friday outings when she returns July 15.
Chapter 57: Teri accepts loss but keeps Saturday dinners chaste; Bianca and Jonathan tub-talk engagement, Bianca’s baby pact, and winding down other partners. Keiko says “I love you”; Morrison’s Monday update points toward likely marrow transplant and serious fertility risk.
Chapter 58: They order matching mokume-gane rings from San Francisco; repeat labs show rising blasts and transplant talk. Jonathan tells Keiko marriage is unchanged; Bianca watches Love Story with him and they map engagement versus Bianca’s conception window.
Chapter 59: Soviet trade materials arrive; Ichirō installs the household kamidana. Keiko tells her parents; they debate yuinō timing; CeCi moves in and Keiko extends Bianca’s baby effort even after marriage.
Chapter 60: After moral second-guessing, he keeps CeCi as a house-only partner until rings arrive; Matheson approves July 18 leave for Keiko’s outpatient chemo. Rings ship from Tokyo; Keiko outlines a Shinto wedding; CeCi’s Friday movie night closes the chapter.
Chapter 61: Violet learns of the engagement and grieves while still hoping to remain a close friend. Bev’s father has a heart attack; Morrison clears Keiko for home June 24 with UV air cleaners and strict infection rules; Katy’s “last fling” is set.
Chapter 62: Violet’s grief deepens; Keiko’s Friday labs stay “status quo” and discharge holds. Katy and Cherokee valedictorian Taya share his last outside fling; CeCi and Deanna scale back a strap-on fantasy plan; Mom calls about rings and cancer.
Chapter 63: Katy/Taya night ends his outside roster; Marcia learns engagement and starts investing. Modified CeCi/Deanna fantasy nights proceed; Bev won’t call her parents about her dad; the house is scrubbed for Keiko’s return.
Chapter 64: Keiko comes home June 24 with grandmother Atsuko; they share a cautious first night together. Jeri’s last “power couple” pitch fails; Bianca tries to conceive; Deanna gets a last night; Overland Park pension presentation is booked for July 13.
Chapter 65: He locks gold/silver profits and researches troubled S&Ls; CeCi’s last solo night passes. July 4 cookout and Cubs/fireworks go on without Keiko; Mom meets her; grandparents dinner is set for July 9; Deanna’s final overnight closes her sexual chapter.
Chapter 66: July 9 Kane grandparents dinner collapses over religion; Bianca/Juliette hot-tub “last playtime” follows. Rings ship express; July 13 Overland Park wins ~$18M pension plus ~$3M benevolence; rings arrive and he proposes in the Japanese room: «結婚してください»?