Chapter Sixteen: Cal – Model Boats and New Bonds
⚠️ 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
Cal continues clearing out his childhood home, working through his grandfather’s attic and finally entering his old bedroom. The room is frozen in time, featuring glow-in-the-dark stars he and Lana glued to the ceiling years ago and shelves of model boats they built together during summer visits. Cami wanders in and becomes fascinated by the boats, asking Cal to make one with her. After some hesitation, Cal agrees, texting Lana for permission. Lana reluctantly gives it after Cal’s playful persistence. Later, Cal carefully packs the unfinished USS Constitution boat – the last project he and Lana never completed. When he finds Cami asleep on the couch, he carries her to her new lavender bedroom (once Rowan’s room). That evening, Cal goes for a run and stops at One More Chapter bookstore. Meg, the owner, recommends a stack of books and suggests he volunteer for the upcoming Strawberry Festival to improve his reputation in town. Cal considers the idea, hoping it might help the townspeople begin to accept him again.
Key Events
- Cal enters his unchanged childhood bedroom and notices the model boats and glow-in-the-dark stars he and Lana glued to the ceiling.
- Cami expresses excitement about the boats and asks Cal to build one with her; Cal shows her a time‑lapse video of boatbuilding.
- Cal texts Lana about the request; after a brief exchange, Lana agrees but warns him not to make her regret it.
- Cal packs the unfinished USS Constitution boat, deciding to keep it rather than discard it.
- Cal carries a sleeping Cami to her new room – Rowan’s old room, now painted lavender with a princess-themed bed.
- Cal goes for a run and ends up at One More Chapter, where Meg recommends books and suggests volunteering for the Strawberry Festival.
Character Development
Cal shows vulnerability as he revisits memories of building boats with Lana. His willingness to bond with Cami marks a step toward re‑engaging with family life. He also experiences a “small win for an addict” – the absence of his usual urge to drink after texting Lana – indicating genuine progress in his sobriety. Lana cautiously extends trust by allowing Cal to build a boat with Cami, though her tone remains protective. Cami’s curiosity and tenacity help bridge the gap between Cal and Lana. Meg emerges as a pragmatic community figure, pushing Cal toward volunteer work as a way to rebuild his local reputation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Nostalgia and Loss: The model boats represent a time when Cal and Lana were close; the unfinished USS Constitution symbolizes their broken relationship and the possibility of repairing it.
- Redemption and Second Chances: Cal’s bonding with Cami and his consideration of volunteering signal his desire to make amends for past mistakes.
- Sobriety Milestones: Cal’s lack of a drinking urge after emotional moments shows his recovery is strengthening.
- Small‑Town Reputation: Meg’s suggestion to volunteer highlights how community perception plays a role in Cal’s journey.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the reconnection between Cal and his niece, Cami, and by extension with Lana. It also provides a tangible symbol of Cal’s past (the boats) and a concrete step toward his future (volunteering). Cal’s sobriety is tested and found steady, and his willingness to engage with the town through the Strawberry Festival opens the door for broader reconciliation. The chapter balances nostalgia with forward momentum, setting up emotional stakes for the latter half of the book.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Cal hesitate before agreeing to build a boat with Cami?
Cal hesitates because building model boats was a private, shared activity between him and Lana. He worries that doing it with Cami might reopen old wounds or that Lana would not approve. -
How does the chapter illustrate Cal’s progress in sobriety?
After texting Lana, Cal feels a lightness in his chest and notes the absence of his usual urge to drink. He later goes for a run instead of turning to alcohol – a small but meaningful victory for his recovery. -
What does the unfinished USS Constitution model symbolize?
The incomplete boat represents the unresolved relationship between Cal and Lana. By packing it away instead of throwing it out, Cal leaves open the possibility that the work – and their bond – could one day be finished.