Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with Marlowe reflecting on two objects she calls her “cylinders of doom”: the petrichor candle and the Midnight Rose lipstick, both gifts from Akilah Jones. The lipstick has sat untouched on her dresser for a week, a reminder of what she lost. On a warm late June morning, Marlowe decides to try harder to be cheerful. She applies the lipstick successfully, feels a surge of confidence, and skips breakfast to preserve it.
She walks outside and finds Liani reading by the lagoon. Marlowe apologizes for what Liani has been through, but Liani gently deflects, saying it wasn't Marlowe's fault. They talk about swimming: Liani explains that swimming helps with her anxiety, and Marlowe admits she can swim but not properly. Liani mentions a massive storm approaching, like a hurricane, but reassures Marlowe that the island is a fortress—higher ground, well-stocked, and safer than the shore.
That evening, Liani proposes a group swim before the storm. Marlowe, April, Van, Tom, and Liani gather at the lagoon. Van starts a pool noodle fight, declaring it a battle for control of the “Queer Kingdom.” The group plays and laughs, floating in a loose circle. Liani mentions that the island has been sold to a group called something like the “Liberty Pals,” big money from oil or tech.
Riki arrives, wearing black swimwear, and joins the water despite Liani's surprise. The mood cools. Marlowe decides to open up and tells the full story of the fire she accidentally caused: the petrichor candle, Akilah's yellow sweater, Guffy's involvement, the reviews she read, the thirty dollars, and her work for Juan and Carlita. She clarifies she wasn't trespassing. April calls it a “manufacturing error.” Marlowe explains what happened with Akilah—they went back to work, didn't talk about it, people said things, Akilah got a job at the Cheesecake Factory, and they broke up.
Dr. Henson passes by and announces that a Yale research student will arrive the next day. Marlowe then reveals that Dr. Henson asked her to keep an eye on everyone and report anything strange. The group reacts with surprise. Riki abruptly climbs out of the water and leaves without a word. Liani warns Marlowe to be careful with Riki.
Key Events
-
Marlowe applies the Midnight Rose lipstick and gains confidence, leading her to initiate a conversation with Liani.
-
Liani reveals the approaching hurricane and explains the island's safety.
-
Liani proposes a group swim, which happens that evening.
-
Van starts a pool noodle fight, and the group plays together in the lagoon.
-
Marlowe confesses the full story of the fire she accidentally caused.
-
Dr. Henson announces a Yale research student will arrive the next day.
-
Marlowe reveals Dr. Henson asked her to spy on the others.
-
Riki leaves the water abruptly, and Liani warns Marlowe to be careful with her.
Character Development
Marlowe takes a significant step this chapter. Her decision to wear the lipstick marks a shift from hiding to engaging. She initiates conversation with Liani, joins the group swim, and voluntarily confesses her fire backstory—a story she's clearly been carrying with shame. Her confession shows vulnerability and a desire to be accepted. The spy reveal, however, complicates her position: she's both opening up and secretly reporting to Dr. Henson, creating internal tension.
Liani is revealed as deeply traumatized by Chris Nelson's death. Her swimming is a coping mechanism, a way to quiet anxiety. She's hiding from her town, preferring strangers in the lagoon to familiar faces. Her warning to Marlowe about Riki shows she's observant and protective, even if she keeps emotional distance.
Riki remains an enigma. She joins the swim for the first time, seemingly drawn to the group, and appears to listen closely to Marlowe's fire story. But when Marlowe reveals the spy arrangement, Riki leaves abruptly—suggesting she has something to hide or feels threatened by surveillance.
Van provides comic relief but also shows insight. His “Queer Kingdom” joke and his comment about burning a house down for someone reveal a playful, accepting personality. He's the social glue of the group.
Dr. Henson is portrayed as distant and calculating, more interested in her research than the guides. Her request for Marlowe to spy adds a layer of distrust to the island dynamic.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Water as therapy and rebirth: Liani swims to manage anxiety; Marlowe describes the lagoon as feeling “wild” and like being “rebooted.” The water offers escape and clarity.
Hiding from community: Both Marlowe and Liani are on the island to avoid their pasts—Marlowe from the fire, Liani from the town's judgment. The island is a refuge, but also a place of isolation.
Confession and vulnerability: Marlowe's fire story is a confession that deepens her connection to the group. It's a risk that pays off in acceptance, at least temporarily.
Surveillance and trust: Dr. Henson's request to spy introduces a theme of watching and being watched. It undermines the group's trust and foreshadows conflict.
The approaching storm: The hurricane is both literal and metaphorical—a looming threat that mirrors the tensions building among the characters.
Queer identity: Van's “Queer Kingdom” joke and Marlowe's relationship with Akilah touch on queer identity as part of the group's dynamic.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Marlowe's integration into the group while planting seeds of future conflict. Her confession about the fire humanizes her and earns sympathy from the others. The spy reveal, however, creates a rift—Riki's abrupt exit signals that Dr. Henson's surveillance has consequences. The approaching storm and the arrival of the Yale research student set up new plot developments. Liani's warning about Riki hints at secrets yet to be uncovered, making this chapter a turning point in both character relationships and the mystery.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Marlowe's decision to apply the Midnight Rose lipstick affect her actions in this chapter?
The lipstick gives Marlowe confidence, which she calls “swagger.” This confidence leads her to approach Liani, accept the group swim invitation, and ultimately open up about her fire backstory. Without the lipstick, she might have stayed withdrawn.
2. What does Liani's swimming reveal about her character and how she copes with trauma?
Liani swims to manage anxiety, saying the water makes everything else go away and leaves her tired and clearer. It's a coping mechanism tied to her trauma from pulling Chris Nelson's body from the river. Swimming is also a way to stay near the water, always ready to help someone in danger.
3. Why does Riki leave the water when Marlowe reveals Dr. Henson's request?
Riki's abrupt exit suggests she feels threatened by the idea of surveillance. She may have something to hide, or she may distrust Marlowe now that she knows Marlowe is reporting to Dr. Henson. Liani's warning to “be careful” with Riki reinforces that Riki's reaction is significant and potentially dangerous.
Navigation
-
Next Chapter