Chapter 35: Playfulness on the Road to White Sands
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
As Ari and Dante begin their drive to White Sands, Ari points to a bag of burritos his mom made. Dante immediately declares Ari’s mom awesome. They each unwrap a burrito, and Dante is impressed by the homemade tortillas, asking if Ari’s mom will teach his own mother. Ari explains that homemade tortillas are a lot of work; his sisters refused to learn. Dante then offers to learn himself, joking that he won’t make tortillas for Ari all the time. Ari teases Dante about lacking the patience needed to make tortillas, leading Dante to flirtatiously warn that if Ari keeps talking that way, he’ll have to kiss him again. Ari replies “Patience, my good man, patience.” The two continue joking and eating through the ride, finishing three burritos each and yet remaining hungry. The playful dynamic highlights the ease and affection between them.
Key Events
- Ari points out the bag of burritos his mother prepared for the trip.
- Dante praises the burritos and the homemade tortillas.
- Ari explains his sisters refused to learn tortilla‑making because it is labor‑intensive.
- Dante offers to learn from Ari’s mom but jokingly refuses to make tortillas for Ari.
- Ari accuses Dante of lacking patience, a trait needed for the task.
- Dante threatens a kiss if Ari keeps talking that way; Ari tells him to be patient.
- They finish three burritos each and still feel hungry upon reaching White Sands.
Character Development
- Aristotle (Ari): Shows a playful, teasing side that emerges only with Dante. He is comfortable enough to banter about patience and to gently tease.
- Dante: Demonstrates openness to learning from Ari’s family (wanting to learn tortilla‑making) and a flirtatious confidence that signals growing intimacy.
- Ari’s mother: Off‑screen, her cooking is a source of connection and admiration. Diane’s burritos represent nurturing and grounding.
- Ari’s sisters: Their refusal to learn tortilla‑making adds a realistic family dynamic and underscores the work behind home‑cooked food.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Playfulness and Intimacy: The shared teasing and flirtation show a deepening bond. Ari’s normally guarded personality softens.
- Homemade vs. Store‑bought: The homemade tortillas symbolize effort, tradition, and love. The joke about store‑bought tortillas contrasts convenience with care.
- Patience as a Virtue: Ari’s remark about patience ties to character growth—Dante’s impatience contrasts with the patience needed in relationships.
- Food as Connection: Sharing burritos creates a moment of comfort and unity, echoing the novel’s use of meals to build relationships.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 35 is a quiet interlude that showcases the natural, joyful chemistry between Ari and Dante. It reveals how far their relationship has progressed: they can joke, flirt, and even threaten kisses without tension. The chapter also emphasizes family and cultural heritage through the tortillas, grounding their romance in everyday life. It serves as a breather before the next emotional turn in the story.
Study Questions and Answers
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Question: What does the conversation about tortilla‑making reveal about the characters’ relationship with family traditions?
Answer: Dante wants to learn a tradition from Ari’s mother, showing respect and a desire to be part of Ari’s world. Ari’s sisters refused, highlighting generational change and the labor involved in preserving cultural practices. -
Question: How does Ari’s teasing about patience reflect his feelings toward Dante?
Answer: Ari uses the word “patience” deliberately, both to deflect Dante’s flirtation and to acknowledge that he values their slow‑growing relationship. It implies he wants to savor the moment rather than rush intimacy. -
Question: Why does Dante interpret Ari’s “you keep talking like that” as a reason to kiss him?
Answer: Their banter is charged with affection. Dante’s threat of kissing is playful, but it also signals that he is comfortable initiating physical closeness and testing the boundaries of their romantic connection.