Chapter summaries Mistakes Were Made Lucy Score

Chapter 45 Summary: Puke in the Petunias

⚠️ 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

Gage wakes up with a severe hangover after the previous night’s fight with Zoey. He attempts to apologize via text and phone, but Zoey does not respond. At a family brunch at the lodge, his siblings—Cam, Hazel, Levi, and Laura—confront him about hurting Zoey. Hazel throws orange juice in his face, and Cam drags him outside to a flower bed, where they argue. Gage insists he did not break up with Zoey, only said stupid things, but his brothers explain that Zoey interpreted his words as a breakup, especially after she revealed her deepest insecurities to him. Gage vomits in the petunias from guilt and hangover. Zoey then arrives, dressed in red, with her new dog Buttercup. She delivers a powerful public speech, accusing Gage of missing out on life’s best things because of his need for control. She throws juice at him and walks out, declaring it feels like the end. Gage tries to follow her, but on the way he gets a hot baked potato thrown at him by Emilie Rump. He goes to Zoey’s apartment and pounds on her door, but she does not answer.

Key Events

  • Gage wakes up hungover and tries to call Zoey, but she does not answer.
  • At the lodge brunch, Hazel throws orange juice in Gage’s face.
  • Cam drags Gage outside to a flower bed and confronts him about hurting Zoey.
  • Gage throws up in the flower bed from guilt and hangover.
  • Zoey arrives at the brunch and gives a public speech accusing Gage of being too controlling and missing out on life.
  • Zoey throws orange juice at Gage and leaves, stating it feels like the end.
  • On his way to Zoey’s apartment, Gage gets hit with a hot baked potato thrown by Emilie Rump.
  • Gage reaches Zoey’s apartment but she refuses to open the door.

Character Development

  • Gage: Gage begins this chapter in denial about the severity of his fight with Zoey. He insists he did not break up with her, only said stupid things. Through his brothers’ confrontations, he is forced to see that his words were a direct attack on Zoey’s deepest fears. His hangover and physical vomit symbolize his emotional turmoil and the mess he has made. By the end, he acknowledges he was an asshole and is desperate to fix things, but Zoey’s public rejection leaves him humbled and unsure.

  • Zoey: Zoey transforms from a hurt, crying woman to an avenging heroine. She arrives at the brunch in a red dress with her new dog, delivering a speech that shows her newfound strength. She accuses Gage of being too focused on control to appreciate the best things in life, including her. Her act of throwing juice and walking out is a declaration of self-worth; she will no longer tolerate being treated as “too much.”

  • Cam and Hazel: Cam and Hazel act as the family’s enforcers. Cam’s anger stems from having warned Gage not to mess with Zoey, and Hazel’s support for Zoey shows her loyalty. Both siblings use physical acts (orange juice, dragging outside) to underscore how badly Gage messed up.

  • Levi and Laura: Levi provides commentary and calls out Gage’s stupidity. Laura’s quiet, disapproving mom voice adds pressure. The family collectively unites against Gage’s behavior, showing their investment in Zoey’s well-being.

  • Emilie Rump: Emilie’s baked potato throw is a humorous yet symbolic gesture of public condemnation. It demonstrates that word of Gage’s actions has spread through the town, and he is now the villain in the community’s eyes.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Public accountability: The entire brunch scene unfolds in full view of friends, family, and strangers. Gage cannot hide from his mistakes. The applause after Zoey’s speech and the town’s subsequent harassment (potato throwing) show that the community holds him accountable.

  • Control vs. spontaneity: Zoey’s speech directly contrasts her impulsive, passionate nature with Gage’s need for control. She argues that his fear of imperfection causes him to miss out on life’s best moments. This theme echoes earlier tensions in their relationship.

  • Symbolism of juice and vomit: Orange juice is thrown twice as a physical manifestation of anger and rejection. Gage’s vomit in the petunias symbolizes the sickening reality of his actions and the mess he has created in his personal life.

  • The red dress: Zoey’s choice of a bloodred dress signals power, passion, and a warning. She is not a victim; she is an avenger. The dress contrasts with her vulnerable state the night before, showing her emotional armor.

  • The locked door: The chapter ends with Gage pounding on Zoey’s door and getting only silence. This symbolizes the emotional barrier Zoey has erected. He cannot simply apologize his way back in; she is not ready to forgive.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It forces Gage to confront the consequences of his hurtful words and his pattern of emotional guardedness. The public nature of the confrontation raises the stakes, as he now faces the disapproval of his entire family and town. Zoey’s speech and departure solidify her as a character who will not settle for less than she deserves. The chapter sets up the major conflict for the remainder of the story: Gage must prove he can change and earn back Zoey’s trust, but she is not making it easy. It also deepens the family dynamics, showing that the Bishops will prioritize Zoey’s happiness over Gage’s pride.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Gage insist he did not break up with Zoey, even though she clearly views his words as a breakup?
Gage is in denial because he does not want to accept the full weight of his actions. He considers his words “stupid” but not a formal breakup. However, his brothers point out that he used Zoey’s deepest insecurities against her, which functionally ends the relationship. His refusal to accept the term shows his emotional immaturity and fear of losing her.

2. How does the public setting of the brunch amplify the emotional impact of the confrontation?
The brunch takes place in a crowded lodge where friends and family are watching. Zoey’s speech becomes a public declaration of her self-worth, and the applause from the community validates her stance. Gage cannot hide or deflect; he must endure the shame in front of everyone. This public humiliation forces him to recognize the gravity of his mistake.

3. What does Zoey’s red dress and the line “If I’m too much, go find less” reveal about her character development?
The red dress symbolizes Zoey’s reclaiming of her power and sexuality. She is no longer the woman who cried the night before; she is fierce and unapologetic. The line shows that she has internalized Gage’s criticism and turned it into a challenge: she will not shrink for him. This marks a key moment where she refuses to be made to feel “too much” and instead insists that he either accept her fully or walk away.