Chapter 13 Summary: Justin's Growing Feelings and Unspoken Secrets

⚠️ 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

Justin returns to his apartment to find his friend Brad eating leftovers. He tells Brad about his date with Emma at a Lake Minnetonka mansion, and admits that his feelings for her go beyond simple liking. Brad reminds Justin of their original plan to break up after four dates, but Justin has abandoned that idea. He starts planning future outings, like a trip to Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. Brad asks what Emma thinks about Justin taking the kids in a few weeks, revealing that Justin hasn't told her about them. Justin worries that this secret might change things. Brad then confronts Justin about his strained relationship with his mother, urging him to spend more time with her. Justin refuses, explaining that he is already doing enough by handling the fallout of her choices and that his anger is justified. Brad eventually drops the argument and leaves. Justin closes the blinds on the neon "Toilet King" sign, recalling the mantra about choosing empathy but feeling that anger is all he has left.

Key Events

Justin arrives home and finds Brad eating his food.
Justin describes his date with Emma and admits his feelings are stronger than expected.
Brad reminds Justin of the impending breakup plan, which Justin has now abandoned.
Justin asks Brad for date ideas (Glensheen Mansion) and reveals he hasn't told Emma about the kids.
Brad pushes Justin to spend more time with his mother; Justin firmly refuses.
Brad leaves after an unresolved argument.
Justin closes the blinds on the Toilet King sign, rejecting the empathy mantra.

Character Development

Justin: His priorities shift dramatically. The original arrangement with Emma no longer matters; he now wants to deepen the relationship. However, he avoids telling her about the children he will soon care for, revealing a fear of rejection and a tendency to hide difficult truths. His relationship with his mother remains a raw wound. Despite Brad's plea, Justin clings to his anger as a shield against forgiveness.
Brad: Acts as a voice of reason and accountability. He challenges Justin on both the secret about the kids and the estrangement from his mother. His persistence shows he cares about Justin's wellbeing, even when Justin resists.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Anger vs. Empathy: The chapter revolves around the mantra "choose empathy." Justin consciously rejects it, admitting that anger is all he has left in dealing with his mother. This internal conflict will likely resurface.
Secrets and Disclosure: Justin's failure to tell Emma about the kids creates dramatic irony. The reader knows this secret will eventually surface and threaten the new relationship.
Family Obligations: Brad's insistence that Justin support his mother highlights the theme of filial duty. Justin's refusal underscores the depth of the betrayal he feels.
The Toilet King Sign: This neon sign outside Justin's apartment symbolizes public judgment and personal guilt. Closing the blinds represents his refusal to engage with the empathy mantra and his choice to remain disconnected.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 13 deepens Justin's character and sets up two major conflicts: the unresolved secret about the children and the fractured relationship with his mother. It shows that while Justin is falling for Emma, he is not ready to be fully honest with her. Brad's confrontation also reveals that Justin's anger toward his mother is a central obstacle to his own healing. The chapter builds tension by planting a time bomb—the kids' arrival—that will soon force Justin to choose between honesty and avoidance.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Justin avoid telling Emma about the kids?
Justin didn't mention the kids earlier because he never expected Emma to come to Minnesota. Now that she is here, he fears that knowing about his upcoming caregiving responsibilities will scare her away. He decides to postpone the conversation rather than risk losing her.
What does Brad's argument about Justin's mother reveal about Justin's character?
Brad's insistence that Justin should spend more time with his mother exposes Justin's deep-seated resentment. Justin feels that he has already done enough by being polite and handling the practical fallout. He refuses to offer emotional support, believing his mother does not deserve forgiveness. This shows that Justin's anger is a protective mechanism, but also a barrier to his own growth.
How does the Toilet King sign function in this chapter?
The sign is a visual reminder of the mantra "choose empathy." When Justin closes the blinds on it, he symbolically rejects that advice. The sign represents the external pressure to forgive, which Justin is not ready to accept. Its presence highlights the gap between what Justin knows he should do and what he is emotionally capable of doing.