Chapter summaries Mistakes Were Made Lucy Score

Mistakes Were Made Chapter 36: 35 Dimes – 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.

Summary

Zoey and Hazel have been coerced into a brutal workout at Story Lake’s gym by Laura’s personal trainer, Manny de la Cruz. Despite their exhaustion and Zoey’s broken wrist, Manny pushes them through weighted lunges, while Laura—in her wheelchair—effortlessly performs pull-ups. Zoey and Hazel notice Manny’s encouraging calls (“Guns,” “baby”) and his intense focus on Laura, concluding he is flirting. Laura is oblivious and resistant, still grieving her late husband, Miller.

During cardio, Zoey asks Laura about Miller. Laura shares that she knew Miller was the one because of his confidence, humor, and the dime he flipped back to her as a “perfect ten” when they first met. Every dime she sees reminds her of him.

The conversation triggers Zoey’s realization: Gage has been secretly leaving dimes around for Laura—under her hood, on her floor, in bowls at his house—to remind her she is not alone. The emotional weight of this revelation causes Zoey to trip on the treadmill. Lying on the gym floor, she admits to herself that she is in love with Gage, and that it is “the worst thing ever.”

Key Events

  • Zoey and Hazel endure Manny’s grueling workout in Story Lake’s modest gym.
  • Laura does seven pull-ups in her wheelchair, cheered on by Manny and others.
  • Zoey and Hazel point out the obvious flirtation between Laura and Manny.
  • Laura denies any interest, saying she is not ready for anything after Miller.
  • Laura recounts meeting Miller: he flipped a dime to her, calling it a reminder of a “perfect ten.”
  • Zoey connects the dime story to Gage’s secret dimes left for Laura.
  • Overwhelmed, Zoey falls off the treadmill and realizes she is in love with Gage.

Character Development

Zoey
Zoey’s internal arc shifts from frustrated exercise companion to someone hit by a powerful emotional insight. Her sarcasm and complaints mask a growing vulnerability. The dime revelation cracks her denial about Gage, forcing her to confront her own feelings.

Laura
Laura is portrayed as fiercely independent and physically strong despite her wheelchair, yet emotionally guarded. Her story about Miller reveals deep, unresolved grief and a reluctance to consider new love. Manny’s attention challenges her self-image as someone “not in any headspace” for romance.

Manny
Manny is introduced as a demanding trainer with a soft side. His nicknames and encouragement toward Laura show clear affection, but he respects her boundaries and celebrates her achievements.

Gage (off-page)
Gage’s character is deepened through Zoey’s realization. The dimes are revealed as a poignant, secret act of brotherly love—keeping Laura connected to Miller while showing he cares.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

  • Dimes as a Symbol of Love and Memory
    The dime started as Miller’s playful gift and became a lifelong reminder of him. Gage repurposes it as a quiet gesture of support, showing that love can endure and evolve.

  • Grief and Moving On
    Laura’s reluctance to acknowledge Manny’s interest stems from her devotion to Miller. The chapter explores the difficulty of opening one’s heart again after loss.

  • Community Encouragement
    The gym crowd cheers Laura’s pull-up, illustrating how the town rallies around its members. This collective support echoes relationships in the broader story.

  • Physical Challenge as Emotional Metaphor
    Zoey’s grueling workout parallels her emotional struggle. Her literal fall from the treadmill mirrors the fall into love she is trying to resist.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 36 is a turning point on multiple fronts. It reveals Gage’s secret, heartfelt way of caring for his sister, deepening his character beyond the gruff exterior. For Laura, it plants a seed of potential new romance with Manny, complicating her grief journey. Most importantly, Zoey’s internal admission of love for Gage sets the stage for their relationship to become central in the remaining story. The dime motif ties together past and present, loss and hope.

Study Questions & Answers

1. Why does Laura refuse to acknowledge Manny’s flirtation?
Laura is still deeply attached to her late husband Miller. She says she “doesn’t know how to date another man” and hasn’t been with anyone since Miller. Her identity is tied to their “forever” relationship, making the idea of moving on feel impossible.

2. What does the dime symbolize for Laura, and how does Gage repurpose that symbol?
For Laura, the dime is a personal memento of Miller’s confidence and their first meeting. Gage secretly leaves dimes around her house and belongings as a way to say she is not alone. He transforms the symbol of loss into one of ongoing family support.

3. How does Zoey’s physical accident on the treadmill reflect her emotional state?
Zoey is physically exhausted and emotionally blindsided by the dime revelation. Her loss of control on the treadmill mirrors her loss of control over her feelings for Gage. She admits to herself that she is in love, calling it “the worst thing ever,” which shows her internal conflict.

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