Cliff — Chapter 35 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

Cliff begins his day by delivering canned goods to a food drive at Brittany's elementary school. Principal Debra, who was also his kindergarten teacher, tries to set him up with her cousin, but Cliff politely declines, saying he isn't dating. Debra mentions that Luke has a crush on Brittany, which Cliff reacts to with dry humor. She hands him a hand-turkey craft, and he leaves with it.

During this interaction, Cliff reflects on his recent one-time date with Sara. They talked extensively about Michelle, and Sara encouraged him to tell Michelle how he feels. Cliff realizes that he wants Michelle—not as a friend or a fling—but he believes she belongs in Seattle and that he would be selfish to take her from the life she loves. He also thinks about his daughters leaving for New York in three days for Thanksgiving, a holiday he has never spent without them.

Cliff then visits the high school food drive, where teacher Terri also attempts to matchmake. He offers her doughnuts, and she takes three while still pushing her granddaughter's number. Cliff leaves, saying he's not dating.

Back at the bakery, his sister Carol asks about the date. Cliff admits it was a mistake. Carol asks why a relationship with Michelle wouldn't work, and Cliff cites Michelle's Seattle life and his own busy obligations—long hours, two kids, and a life rooted in the town. Carol tries to comfort him, but he insists he isn't sad, though his behavior suggests otherwise.

Lars arrives, and Cliff goes for a walk to clear his head, with Lars following despite Cliff's attempt to bribe him with doughnuts to stay quiet. They end up at the video store, where Emily and Josh are working. Emily notices Cliff's low mood and asks what's wrong. Cliff says he's looking for movies to watch while the kids are gone. Emily then proposes a girls' night with Aunt Carol, Michelle, and Sara before she and Brittany leave for New York. Cliff initially hesitates, but Emily tells him she wouldn't mind if he dated Michelle. Surprised, Cliff agrees to the sleepover on the condition that they never discuss his dating life again. Emily shakes his hand on the deal.

Key Events

Cliff delivers canned goods to two food drives and is matchmade by Debra and Terri.
Cliff reflects on his date with Sara and realizes he wants Michelle, but believes she belongs in Seattle.
Debra tells Cliff that Luke has a crush on Brittany.
Carol confronts Cliff about the date and asks why a relationship with Michelle wouldn't work.
Cliff walks with Lars to the video store, where Emily and Josh are working.
Emily proposes a girls' night with Michelle and Sara, and Cliff agrees on the condition that his dating life is never discussed.
Emily tells Cliff she wouldn't mind if he dated Michelle, which surprises him.

Character Development

Cliff's emotional arc deepens in this chapter. He moves from vague discomfort with dating to a clear, painful realization that he wants Michelle specifically. His reasoning—that Michelle loves her Seattle life and he has his own obligations—shows both self-awareness and a tendency toward self-denial. He also reveals his vulnerability about spending Thanksgiving without his daughters for the first time, highlighting his identity as a father.

Emily shows significant growth. Earlier in the book she was distant and angry, but here she notices her father's unhappiness and offers genuine support. Her statement that she wouldn't mind if he dated Michelle signals a shift from resentment to acceptance, and her proposal for a girls' night shows she's trying to bridge the gap between her family and Michelle.

Carol and Lars serve as supportive foils. Carol pushes Cliff to examine his feelings, while Lars provides comic relief but also stays by his side. Both reinforce the theme that Cliff's community cares about his happiness, even if he resists it.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Matchmaking pressure: The repeated attempts by Debra, Terri, and others to set Cliff up highlight the small-town expectation that he should move on after divorce. Cliff's polite refusals show his reluctance and his internal conflict.
Doughnuts as comfort: Cliff uses doughnuts to deflect matchmaking attempts and to soften interactions. They also serve as a symbol of his bakery identity and his way of connecting with others.
The hand turkey: This craft represents the school's attempt to involve him in family traditions, but also his discomfort with the holiday season without his daughters. It's a small, tangible reminder of his fatherly role.
The video store: The setting where Cliff confronts his feelings and where Emily offers her approval. The movies he picks—Pretty in Pink and Independence Day—reflect his nostalgia and his attempt to distract himself.
Emotional avoidance: Cliff repeatedly insists he isn't sad or moping, even as his actions and words betray him. This motif underscores his struggle to accept his own feelings.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Cliff's romantic arc. It solidifies his feelings for Michelle and introduces the practical obstacles he believes stand in their way. More importantly, it marks a shift in his family dynamics: Emily's explicit approval of a potential relationship with Michelle removes a major emotional barrier. The agreement to host a girls' night brings Michelle into Cliff's home, setting the stage for future interactions. The chapter also deepens the theme of community matchmaking and Cliff's resistance to moving on, making his eventual choices more meaningful.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Cliff decline every matchmaking attempt, even though he admits he wants Michelle?

Cliff declines because he believes a relationship with Michelle is impossible. He thinks she belongs in Seattle and that he would be selfish to take her from her life. He also feels weighed down by his own obligations—his bakery, his children, and his post-divorce routine—so he avoids dating altogether rather than face the risk of rejection or disruption.

What does Emily's statement that she wouldn't mind if Cliff dated Michelle reveal about her character?

Emily's statement shows she has moved past her initial anger and possessiveness. She recognizes her father's unhappiness and wants him to be happy, even if that means accepting a new person in his life. It also reveals her maturity and her ability to separate her own feelings from what's best for her father.

How does the hand turkey craft function as a symbol in this chapter?

The hand turkey represents the school's attempt to involve Cliff in family traditions, but it also highlights his discomfort with the upcoming Thanksgiving without his daughters. He takes it reluctantly, and it becomes a small, tangible reminder of his fatherly role and the changes he's facing. It also ties to the broader theme of tradition versus change, as Cliff is forced to confront a holiday that will be different this year.