Chapter 26 Summary and Key Takeaways
⚠️ 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
Ten days after the protagonist and Logan agreed to keep their distance, the protagonist is still feeling the strain. She hasn't seen him except briefly at the last game, and their characters barely interacted. She tries to convince herself that staying away will get easier, but the thought that it can't get harder suggests otherwise.
Meanwhile, the family has been busy packing up her grandmother's house. The grandmother has agreed to move to a retirement community, and the protagonist's parents have been helping every day after work. Even Andrew has pitched in. By Friday afternoon, the attic is completely cleared, and the protagonist brings down the last box. She checks on her grandmother in the sun porch, where she's working on a 3D puzzle. The grandmother is still resistant to the move, though she admits the new place is nice. The protagonist tries to encourage her by sharing her own experience of adjusting to a new school, but the grandmother remains obstinate.
Suddenly, the grandmother announces she wants to go for a drive. The protagonist is uneasy, especially when her grandmother insists on driving herself. She takes the car keys and heads out, despite the protagonist's protests. The grandmother reveals she wants to visit Amish shops about an hour away, and she's excited about the handcrafted quilts and the restaurant's chicken and noodles. The protagonist tries to suggest closer alternatives, but the grandmother is determined. She even bribes her with the promise of Dutch apple pie.
As they drive, the protagonist grows increasingly nervous. The roads are hilly and winding, and her grandmother takes curves too fast. The protagonist asks her to slow down, but the grandmother dismisses her concerns. They talk about the retirement community, and the grandmother admits there is one thing she's looking forward to: she wants to gather some of the other residents and have the protagonist teach them to play D&D. She reveals that she's been watching the livestreams, and that the protagonist's parents have been watching too. The protagonist is mortified but also touched that her family cares enough to follow her hobby.
As they approach a sharp curve marked by yellow warning signs, the grandmother fails to slow down. The car fishtails and slams into a road sign. Both are jolted but alive. The protagonist is frozen, her heart pounding, but she sees that her grandmother is safe, and that's all that matters.
Key Events
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The protagonist finishes clearing the attic with her family, marking a step toward the grandmother's move.
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The grandmother insists on taking a drive, overriding the protagonist's concerns and taking the car keys.
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They head toward Amish shops on winding country roads, with the grandmother driving too fast.
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The grandmother reveals she has been watching the D&D livestreams and wants the protagonist to teach her and her new friends to play.
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The protagonist learns that her parents have also been watching the streams, which embarrasses her but also makes her feel appreciated.
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The grandmother loses control on a sharp curve, and the car crashes into a road sign.
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Both survive the crash, but the incident leaves them shaken.
Character Development
The Protagonist: This chapter shows the protagonist grappling with change on multiple fronts. She's still processing her decision to distance herself from Logan, and she's also helping her grandmother transition to a new life. Her initial frustration with her grandmother's stubbornness gives way to a deeper understanding as she learns about her family's secret support. The crash forces her to confront her own helplessness and the fragility of the people she loves. She moves from trying to control the situation to simply being grateful that her grandmother is alive.
Grandma: The grandmother emerges as a complex figure—rebellious, independent, and vulnerable. Her insistence on driving and her reckless speed reflect her resistance to aging and losing control. Yet her desire to learn D&D shows a willingness to connect with her granddaughter's world and to embrace new experiences. The crash is a stark reminder of her physical limitations, but her spirit remains unbroken.
Logan (mentioned): Though not present, Logan's absence looms over the protagonist. Her thoughts about him reveal that the distance is still painful, and she's trying to convince herself it will get easier. This subplot adds emotional weight to the chapter.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Change and Transition: The packing and the move symbolize the end of an era. The protagonist's nostalgia for the sun porch and the memories it holds underscores the difficulty of letting go.
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Rebellion and Independence: Grandma's decision to drive and her refusal to slow down represent her fight against the loss of autonomy that comes with aging.
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Risk and Consequence: The car crash is a direct consequence of Grandma's recklessness, highlighting the dangers of ignoring limits.
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Family Involvement and Support: The revelation that the parents and Andrew have been watching the livestreams shows that the family is more invested in the protagonist's life than she realized.
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Intergenerational Bonding: Grandma's request to learn D&D bridges the generational gap, turning a game into a shared activity that can bring them closer.
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Embarrassment and Appreciation: The protagonist's mixed feelings about her family watching the streams reflect her struggle to accept their support without feeling exposed.
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Loss of Control: Both the physical loss of control in the car and the emotional loss of control over her grandmother's situation are central to the chapter.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the protagonist's relationship with her grandmother and her family. It reveals that her family has been quietly supporting her D&D hobby, which may change how she views her role in the game and her connection to them. The crash introduces a new source of tension and potential consequences that could affect future events. It also deepens the theme of change, showing that even well-intentioned actions can lead to unexpected outcomes. The chapter sets up a possible new arc involving teaching D&D to the grandmother's friends, which could bring the protagonist closer to her family while also creating new challenges.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the protagonist's attitude toward her grandmother's move change throughout the chapter?
At first, the protagonist is supportive but aware of her grandmother's resistance. She tries to reassure her by sharing her own experience with change. As the chapter progresses, she becomes more frustrated with her grandmother's stubbornness, especially when she insists on driving. However, after learning about her grandmother's interest in D&D and the family's secret support, she feels a mix of embarrassment and appreciation. By the end, after the crash, her focus shifts to simply being grateful that her grandmother is safe, showing a deeper emotional connection.
2. What does Grandma's desire to learn D&D reveal about her character and her relationship with the protagonist?
Grandma's desire to learn D&D shows that she is open to new experiences and wants to connect with her granddaughter's world. It reveals a playful side and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. It also indicates that she values the protagonist's interests and wants to share in them, which strengthens their bond. The fact that she has been watching the livestreams secretly shows that she cares enough to follow along, even if she doesn't fully understand the game.
3. How does the car crash serve as a metaphor for the larger themes of change and loss of control?
The car crash is a literal loss of control that mirrors the emotional and physical changes the characters are experiencing. Grandma's insistence on driving and her refusal to slow down represent her struggle against the inevitable changes of aging. The crash forces both characters to confront the limits of their control—over the car, over the move, and over their lives. It also serves as a reminder that change can be sudden and dangerous, but that survival and connection are what truly matter.
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