Chapter 17 Summary: Key Events and Character Development
⚠️ 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
On Thursday evening, Claire and Ruby return home from the bookstore to find Iris and Delilah already in the kitchen, sipping sparkling water. Claire is immediately tense at the sight of Delilah, though she tries to hide it. Ruby spots a package from Claire's mother and tears it open, revealing a Literary Witches Oracle deck—a tarot-like set of cards featuring famous authors. Claire's mother has been sending her spiritual items lately, convinced Claire needs more mysticism in her life. Claire and Iris each grab a beer, while Ruby folds her arms and glares at Claire.
The tension stems from Josh, Ruby's father, who told Ruby about a weekend camping trip before clearing it with Claire. Claire had responded with a cautious “I don't know,” which sent Ruby into a sulk and led to a day of angry texting with Josh. Delilah, noticing Ruby's mood, offers to see her room, and the two head off.
Alone with Iris, Claire admits she's barely slept, stressed about Josh and also about Astrid, who has been emotionally distant since the vineyard dinner. Astrid barely responds to texts and only sends a thumbs-up emoji, which is uncharacteristic for her. Iris and Claire commiserate over their worry.
When Delilah returns, she mentions that Ruby told her the camping trip is to Bagby Hot Springs. Claire is surprised—Josh hadn't mentioned that detail. Iris then proposes a solution: everyone should go camping together—Claire, Iris, Delilah, Ruby, Josh, and Astrid. Delilah scoffs, doubting Astrid would ever agree to sleep in a tent. But Iris insists Astrid will come if Claire tells her she needs her. Claire initially objects that this is manipulative, but Iris counters that it's true—Claire does need her friends' support to survive a weekend with Josh. Claire reluctantly agrees, and Iris immediately calls Astrid, having already pulled up her number.
Key Events
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Claire and Ruby arrive home to find Iris and Delilah in the kitchen.
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Ruby opens a package from Claire's mother containing a Literary Witches Oracle deck.
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Ruby is upset because Josh told her about a camping trip before clearing it with Claire.
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Delilah goes with Ruby to see her room, giving Claire and Iris time to talk.
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Claire confides in Iris about her sleeplessness and Astrid's emotional distance.
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Delilah reveals the trip is to Bagby Hot Springs, surprising Claire.
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Iris proposes a group camping trip including Astrid, Delilah, and Josh.
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Claire agrees after Iris argues that asking Astrid for help isn't manipulation if it's true.
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Iris calls Astrid immediately.
Character Development
Claire is at her most frayed in this chapter. She's juggling co-parenting conflict with Josh, worry about Astrid's withdrawal, and unresolved feelings for Delilah. Her anxiety manifests physically—she barely sleeps, doesn't fix her hair, and chugs beer. Yet she also shows growth: she recognizes that Iris's plan to guilt Astrid into coming is manipulative, even if she eventually agrees. Claire's internal struggle between wanting to protect Ruby and wanting to avoid conflict with Josh is central.
Iris emerges as the pragmatic, slightly pushy friend. She's the one who suggests the camping trip, and she's unapologetic about using Claire's need as a reason to get Astrid involved. Iris also teases Claire about her history with Josh, revealing that she knows more than Claire would like. Her bluntness serves as a catalyst for the chapter's action.
Delilah is quieter here but observant. She notices Claire's tension, offers to distract Ruby, and reacts with surprise to the camping idea. Her physical proximity to Claire—the shoulder brush, the knee touch—shows her own unresolved feelings, though she pulls away when Iris mentions Claire's past with Josh. Delilah's skepticism about Astrid joining suggests she understands Astrid's personality well.
Ruby is sulky and defiant, folding her arms and glaring at Claire. Her excitement about the camping trip and her quick bond with Delilah show her need for independence and her desire to have fun without her mother's worry.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Maternal anxiety and co-parenting conflict dominate the chapter. Claire's fear of bears, ravines, and hot springs reflects her deeper fear of losing control over Ruby's safety. Josh's unilateral decision to invite Ruby on the trip undermines Claire's authority and forces her into the role of the “fun-sucking” parent.
Friendship support is shown through Iris's presence and her insistence on a group solution. Iris doesn't let Claire spiral alone; she orders pizza, listens, and proposes a plan that keeps everyone together.
Manipulation vs. honesty is a key tension. Iris argues that telling Astrid “I need you” isn't manipulation if it's true. Claire initially disagrees but eventually accepts the logic, suggesting that sometimes emotional honesty can be a tool for connection rather than deceit.
New age spirituality appears through the Literary Witches Oracle deck. Claire's mother sends it as a way to help Claire find clarity, but Claire is too overwhelmed to engage with it. The deck symbolizes the search for guidance and the difficulty of trusting intuition when life feels chaotic.
Unresolved romantic tension is palpable in every interaction between Claire and Delilah. The shoulder brush, the hand on the knee, and Delilah's stillness when Iris mentions Josh all point to feelings neither woman is ready to address.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter sets up the camping trip that will likely force Claire, Delilah, Josh, and Astrid into close quarters, creating opportunities for both conflict and resolution. It also deepens the mystery of Astrid's emotional withdrawal, which has been a growing concern since the vineyard dinner. Claire's decision to agree to the trip—and to ask Astrid for help—marks a shift from passive worry to active problem-solving. Additionally, the chapter reinforces the central romantic tension between Claire and Delilah, showing that their connection is mutual but complicated by Claire's history with Josh and Delilah's own guardedness.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Claire initially resist Iris's plan to invite Astrid on the camping trip?
Claire calls the plan manipulative because it involves telling Astrid that Claire needs her, when Claire isn't sure that's entirely true—or at least, she's uncomfortable using emotional appeal to get Astrid to come. She also doubts Astrid would agree, given Astrid's recent distance and her preference for comfort.
2. What does the Literary Witches Oracle deck reveal about Claire's relationship with her mother?
The deck shows that Claire's mother is trying to connect with Claire through spirituality, sending her items like crystals and tarot cards. Claire appreciates the gesture but feels too overwhelmed to engage with it, highlighting a generational and emotional gap between them. The deck also serves as a symbol of Claire's need for guidance, which she hasn't yet found.
3. How does Iris justify her suggestion to tell Astrid that Claire needs her?
Iris argues that it's not manipulation because it's true—Claire does need her friends' support to survive the camping trip with Josh. She frames it as a practical solution rather than a trick, and Claire eventually agrees, showing that sometimes asking for help is a form of honesty.
Navigation
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