Chapter 20: Flux – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Notice – This section contains detailed plot points and character developments from Love, Theoretically Chapter 18 (“Flux”). If you haven’t read the chapter, consider doing so first.

Summary

Elsie meets Greg at their usual café, fearing his anger after the events that outed him. Instead, Greg warmly teases her about Jack, revealing that Jack had asked Greg detailed questions about Elsie (e.g., her seasonal preferences) – proof of Jack’s romantic interest. Elsie apologizes for unwittingly forcing Greg’s coming-out, but Greg reassures her: he had been planning to tell Jack anyway, and nothing has changed between the brothers. Later, Elsie meets George, who pretends to threaten her (“full Tonya Harding”) but quickly reveals it is a joke. George then offers Elsie a three-year postdoc position in her liquid-crystals lab – a real, hard-won opportunity independent of Jack. Elsie learns that Jack had previously offered her a similar position (which she declined) without telling George. George is furious at Jack’s inappropriate gesture. Elsie asks for two to three weeks to decide, needing to consult her mentor, Dr. Laurendeau. George reacts with visible unease to that name, but urges Elsie to make the choice for her own career, not out of obligation.

Key Events

Elsie meets Greg for lunch, expecting hostility but receiving warmth.
Greg confirms Jack’s romantic interest by recounting Jack’s questions about Elsie.
Elsie apologizes for the outing incident; Greg dismisses her guilt, saying the timing was right.
Greg jokes about Uncle Paul’s future threesome requests.
Elsie teaches her intro physics class; a student mistakes her for a medical doctor.
George meets Elsie after class, initially pranks her with a threat, then offers a postdoc position.
Elsie discovers Jack had already made a separate job offer (which she rejected).
George criticizes Jack’s offer involving his brother’s ex, emphasizing her own offer is independent.
George outlines the benefits: higher pay, first authorship, no teaching, health insurance.
Elsie requests time to discuss with her mentor, Dr. Laurendeau.
George reacts with discomfort upon hearing Dr. Laurendeau’s name.

Character Development

Elsie: Demonstrates growth by owning her mistakes about Greg’s outing, but still battles self-doubt and guilt. Her indecision about Jack and the job offer reveals a deeper conflict between personal desire and professional survival.
Greg: Shows resilience and acceptance. He confirms his boundaries (aro/ace spectrum) and reinforces his bond with Elsie as a friend, not a dependent.
Jack (offstage): Through Greg and George, Jack is portrayed as caring (asking about Elsie’s preferences) yet impulsive (offering a job he shouldn’t have). His “broody, horny, guilty pining” is acknowledged by George.
George: A complex ally: fiercely loyal to Jack but willing to act independently. Her prank shows a playful side; her job offer reveals trust in Elsie’s scientific merit. The sudden reaction to Dr. Laurendeau hints at unshared knowledge.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Flux – The chapter’s title captures the uncertain state of Elsie’s career, her relationship with Jack, and her moral obligations. Everything is in motion: jobs shift, feelings develop, and past decisions unsettle the present.
Found Family – Greg and George both serve as surrogate family members, offering honesty and support without demanding Elsie conform to traditional expectations.
Power Dynamics – The job offers from Jack and George highlight how professional and personal entanglements blur boundaries. George’s insistence that the offer is “separate” from Jack underscores the need for Elsie to reclaim agency.
Secrets and Revelation – Greg’s coming-out, Jack’s hidden offer, and Elsie’s mentor’s shady reputation all surface in this chapter, showing how information changes relationships.

Why This Chapter Matters

“Flux” is a turning point that ties together the story’s romantic and career threads. George’s postdoc offer gives Elsie a genuine path out of adjunct poverty, but the involvement of Dr. Laurendeau – a figure who clearly unsettles George – plants a seed of conflict. The chapter also solidifies the sincerity of Jack’s feelings (via Greg’s report) while showing Elsie’s continued hesitance. By ending on a request for time, the chapter sets up a critical choice that will define the rest of the arc: will Elsie prioritize loyalty to her mentor, gamble on a new team, or find a middle ground?

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Greg react so positively to Elsie’s relationship with Jack, despite the earlier drama?
Greg had already decided to come out on his own terms; Jack’s accidental discovery simply accelerated his timeline. He values Jack’s unchanged treatment of him and is pleased that his brother found someone who genuinely cares about him.
What does George’s reaction to Dr. Laurendeau’s name suggest?
George’s physical recoil and subdued tone imply that Dr. Laurendeau is involved in some past conflict or ethical issue – likely related to the academic politics that cost Elsie her dream job. This creates a narrative question about his true character.
How does the chapter use humor to soften serious moments?
The Tonya Harding threat, Greg’s Uncle Paul joke, and George’s exaggerated list of “outrageous” Jack proposals all defuse tension. Humor allows characters to address weighty topics (outing, job insecurity, romantic uncertainty) without overwhelming the reader or the protagonist.