Chapter summaries People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry

Chapter 20 Summary: Six Summers Ago

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This summary contains spoilers for Chapter 20 and the broader story progression of People We Meet on Vacation.

Summary

Six years before the novel’s present, Poppy and Alex are both low on funds. A resort in Vail, Colorado offers Poppy a free stay, giving them hope for their annual trip. The chapter then flashes back to Poppy’s painful breakup with Guillermo. He ended their relationship shortly after a visit to her chaotic, loving family in Linfield and a dinner party with his wealthy friends where Poppy did not know the artist Damien Hirst. After the split, Poppy stole one of Guillermo’s expensive chef knives out of spite. Now, she feels financially stretched and uncertain about affording a trip.

Meanwhile, Alex has been in a serious relationship with Sarah Torval for nine months. Sarah moved to Indiana to be with him while he finishes his master’s, and she clearly disapproves of his friendship with Poppy. In a phone call—the only time Alex feels comfortable talking, when he is alone in his car—they discuss whether to invite Sarah or cancel the trip. Neither can decide, so they agree to wait. Later, when Poppy receives the free stay offer, she texts Alex, and he calls her early the next morning while driving to the gym. Poppy, half asleep, tells him, “Colorado. Vail,” leaving their plans hanging.

Key Events

  • Poppy recalls her breakup with Guillermo after a visit to her family and a dinner revealing class differences.
  • She steals a single chef knife from Guillermo as a petty act of resentment.
  • Alex reveals that his girlfriend Sarah has reservations about Poppy and their shared vacations.
  • Poppy and Alex have an awkward phone call where they consider inviting Sarah or canceling the trip altogether.
  • They decide to postpone the decision until something changes.
  • Poppy receives a free stay at a Vail resort and contacts Alex, who calls her while driving to the gym; she mentions Colorado.

Character Development

  • Poppy: Reflects on her shame about her family and her sense of inadequacy in Guillermo’s world. She feels the distance growing between her and Alex as his relationship with Sarah deepens. Her theft of the knife shows her vulnerable, spiteful side.
  • Alex: He compartmentalizes his friendship with Poppy by calling only when he is alone. He is torn between his commitment to Sarah and his longtime bond with Poppy, but he hesitates to force a change.
  • Sarah Torval: Though not physically present, she exerts pressure through her disapproval, which shapes Alex’s behavior and Poppy’s insecurity.
  • Guillermo (flashback): Represents a world of wealth and sophistication that contrasts with Poppy’s background; his rejection stings partly because of cultural and class differences.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Class divide: Poppy’s family’s eccentric, lower-middle-class home clashes with Guillermo’s trust-fund friends and Damien Hirst references. The stolen knife symbolizes her feeling of being out of place.
  • Friendship vs. romantic relationships: The chapter highlights how a serious partner can strain an already charged friendship, forcing both Poppy and Alex to question the future of their annual tradition.
  • Communication barriers: The awkward phone call illustrates the unspoken tension—Poppy and Alex avoid the tough decisions, letting time pass instead.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter provides essential backstory on Poppy’s relationship history and her lingering insecurity about class. It also escalates the central conflict of the novel: the forced shift in Poppy and Alex’s friendship because of Alex’s relationship with Sarah. The unresolved decision about the trip creates suspense and sets up the Vail vacation as a pivotal moment that could either save or end their connection.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Poppy steal Guillermo’s chef knife after their breakup?
She does it out of resentment and a desire to feel some control. The missing knife is a small, lingering reminder of her anger and her sense of being treated unfairly.

2. How does Alex’s relationship with Sarah affect his communication with Poppy?
Alex only calls Poppy when he is alone, especially in his car. He admits that Sarah has reservations about their trip, and their conversations become rare and guarded, unlike their earlier easy banter.

3. What decision do Poppy and Alex ultimately reach about the summer trip at the end of the chapter?
They do not decide. After a long, painful silence, they agree to wait a few weeks to see if circumstances change. Later, Poppy’s free Vail offer forces the issue back into the open, but no final choice is made.

Navigation