Mistakes Were Made Chapter 35: Literally Under the Sea — Summary & 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.
Chapter Summary
Zoey is getting ready for a “dress nice” mystery evening with Gage when Opal arrives unannounced, eager for news about her book manuscript. Zoey reveals that three publishers have made offers—Bettis Books among them—and that an auction is being set up for Monday. Opal resists excitement, hiding behind her usual grumpy facade. Pressed, Opal opens up about her wife Alice, a biologist she was married to for forty years. Alice died four years ago, and Opal stopped writing after reading her stories aloud to Alice during her final illness. Zoey gently pushes back, arguing that Alice would want Opal to share her stories with the world. Zoey pledges to drag Opal back to life—exercise class, book deadlines, and all.
Gage arrives with spring flowers and takes Zoey to the senior prom, themed “Literally Under the Sea,” where they chaperone alongside Bookstore Chevy, Art, and the Blumenthals. Zoey spots a tearful student, Ruby, hiding in the restroom because her date Gregory Prine lied and came with friends. Zoey helps Ruby fix her hair, encourages her to dance, and later dumps coleslaw on Gregory. Gage dances with Zoey and tells her she’s beautiful, creative, and smart—words that give her a “heartburn” feeling she can’t name. Mrs. Blumenthal comforts Zoey, explaining that the glow in her chest is a sign of love worth hoping for. The chapter ends with Zoey texting Hazel about the prom and peppermint schnapps.
Key Events
- Opal interrupts Zoey’s pre-date routine, demanding news about her book offers.
- Zoey reveals three publishers are in the running; an auction is set for Monday.
- Opal shares the story of her wife Alice’s death and her subsequent writer’s block.
- Zoey insists Opal return to life and finish her series, promising a bidding war.
- Gage takes Zoey to Story Lake High School’s prom, which has an Under the Sea theme.
- Zoey comforts a student named Ruby, whose prom date Gregory lied to her.
- Zoey helps Ruby change her hairstyle and encourages her to dance; later she dumps coleslaw on Gregory.
- Gage dances with Zoey and gives her heartfelt compliments, making her feel uneasy.
- Mrs. Blumenthal advises Zoey that the warm feeling in her chest is a sign of hope.
- Zoey texts Hazel, admitting she enjoyed the prom and reminiscing about past schnapps.
Character Development
Zoey
Zoey shows growing emotional maturity. She comforts both Opal and Ruby, demonstrating empathy she rarely displayed earlier. Her physical symptoms—the “heartburn” when Gage praises her—signal that she is falling for him despite her avoidance of relationships. For the first time, she admits to herself that she’s never been “the right person” before, hinting at a shift in self-worth.
Gage
Gage moves from casual dating to open affection. He brings flowers, dances with Zoey in front of the entire school, and calls her “beautiful, exciting, creative, smart.” His line “I’m not worried about tomorrow because I’m having a hell of a good time today” reveals a surprising emotional openness for a man who initially kept things physical.
Opal
Opal’s backstory deepens: she is a widow grieving her wife Alice. Her gruff exterior cracks as she admits she hasn’t written in four years because writing was a shared activity. Zoey’s push reminds her of Alice’s voice, and she reluctantly agrees to try, showing willingness to re-engage with life.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Grief and Creative Renewal
Opal’s writer’s block stems from using storytelling as a bond with Alice. Losing Alice means losing the purpose of writing. Zoey reframes that bond: sharing stories with the world can honor Alice’s memory. The motif of “writing aloud” (reading to a loved one) contrasts with the solitary act of writing, suggesting that creativity thrives on connection.
Finding Magic in the Ordinary
The prom—a silly “Under the Sea” theme—becomes a place of genuine joy. Zoey’s ability to transform Ruby’s night, dump coleslaw on a rude kid, and dance with Gage shows how small acts can create meaning. The symbolism of “looking for the sparkle” is threaded through: Zoey’s own life philosophy now applies to others.
Hope vs. Self-Protection
Zoey’s physical “heartburn” and her resistance to the word “pretty” illustrate her fear of vulnerability. Mrs. Blumenthal’s line “to be brave enough to hope” crystallizes the chapter’s emotional arc. Zoey wants to believe, but her past makes hope dangerous. The flask scene (Chevy and Art’s secret alcohol) is a playful reminder that adults, too, need crutches to face emotional risks.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Zoey’s emotional development. It balances two major plot threads: Opal’s trauma and Zoey’s romantic hesitation. Opal’s revelation about Alice deepens the book’s perspective on lasting love and loss, while Zoey’s actions at the prom (comforting Ruby, accepting Gage’s praise, and the coleslaw stunt) show she is capable of nurturing others—and herself. The chaperone setting also integrates the wider Story Lake community, reinforcing the found-family theme that runs through the novel. The final exchange with Mrs. Blumenthal plants the seed for Zoey to consider a real relationship with Gage.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Opal resist selling her manuscript even after three offers?
She associates the writing exclusively with her late wife Alice. Publishing feels like moving on, which she is not ready to do. Zoey’s argument that Alice would want the stories shared resonates, but Opal still struggles with the loss of Alice as her first reader.
2. What does the “heartburn” feeling Zoey experiences represent?
It symbolizes emotional discomfort with vulnerability. Zoey is used to casual sex and control; Gage’s sincere compliments and Mrs. Blumenthal’s advice make her confront the possibility of love. She tries to dismiss it as indigestion, but the feeling persists.
3. How does the prom theme “Literally Under the Sea” reinforce the chapter’s themes?
The absurd theme—cardboard waves, seaweed cutouts, a styrofoam Titanic—mirrors the novel’s tone: silly on the surface but carrying deeper emotional currents. Under the water, things are hidden, just as Zoey’s feelings are submerged beneath her humorous exterior. It also connects to Opal’s “under the sea” of grief, suggesting that joy and pain coexist in the same waters.