People We Meet on Vacation Chapter 37 (Chapter 35) 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

Poppy takes an impulsive trip to Ohio after telling Rachel she will go alone. Her parents pick her up wearing matching “I ❤ NY” shirts, and they spend time at home before Poppy heads to East Linfield High School. The school is locked, but Sarah Torval appears. Sarah and Poppy have a civil but tense conversation. Sarah reveals she and Alex have broken up and hints that Alex might be at Birdies, a teacher hangout. Poppy arrives at Birdies and finds Alex with other teachers. She launches into a long, vulnerable speech: she explains that she started therapy, that she has always loved Alex, and that she has been running from him her entire adult life. She tells him she would give up everything—her New York apartment, her career, even her freedom—to build a life with him. She shows him a photo of a thriving snake plant as proof of her commitment. Alex responds emotionally, saying they “don’t make sense” and he cannot bear to watch things fall apart again. Poppy accepts his rejection, says she does not regret telling him, and walks out into the sunlight crying.

Key Events

Poppy’s parents greet her at the airport with comedic “I ❤ NY” T-shirts.
Poppy visits her childhood home, where her mother jokes about decluttering and her father mentions a new privacy fence.
Poppy drives to East Linfield High School but finds the door locked; the resource officer refuses entry.
Sarah Torval appears and steps outside to talk with Poppy.
Sarah and Poppy have a difficult but honest conversation about the past and Poppy’s role in Sarah’s relationship with Alex.
Sarah reveals she and Alex are no longer together, and she directs Poppy to Birdies bar.
Poppy enters Birdies, spots Alex, and approaches his table in front of other teachers.
Poppy delivers a lengthy, earnest confession about her feelings and her willingness to sacrifice everything for Alex.
Alex responds by saying they “don’t make sense” and he cannot go through another breakup.
Poppy accepts his rejection, states she does not regret speaking her truth, and leaves the bar in tears.

Character Development

Poppy Wright: Shows tremendous growth by facing her fear of vulnerability. She explicitly admits she has been running from Alex for twelve years, acknowledges her need for constant connection with strangers, and reveals she has started therapy. Her willingness to risk total rejection marks a shift from her usual avoidance.
Alex Nilsen: Remains cautious and protective of his own heart. While he admits he loves Poppy (“You know how I feel about you”), his fear of future pain prevents him from embracing the chance she offers. His response shows deep self-awareness of their incompatibilities, but also a reluctance to trust that things could be different.
Sarah Torval: Appears briefly but reveals growth of her own. She admits that when Poppy disappeared after Tuscany, her relationship with Alex actually worsened. She grants Poppy a hint of forgiveness and directs her to Birdies, demonstrating a surprising, compassionate nudge.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Homecoming vs. Belonging: The chapter repeatedly contrasts the physical act of returning to Linfield with the emotional question of where Poppy truly belongs. She tells Alex, “You’re home to me,” suggesting that belonging is not a place but a person.
Vulnerability as Strength: Poppy’s monologue embodies the novel’s central theme that honest vulnerability, even when it leads to rejection, is a courageous act. She says she could not live with herself if she did not try.
The Snake Plant Symbol: Poppy shows a photo of a snake plant she has kept alive since Palm Springs. The plant symbolizes her commitment to steady, non-superficial care—a departure from her usual pattern of brief encounters.
The Cost of Love: Poppy’s offer to give up “everything” (New York, career, freedom) underscores the romantic ideal that love requires sacrifice, but the chapter also questions whether such sacrifice is sustainable.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 37 is the emotional climax of the novel. All the tension built over twelve years of friendship and near-misses comes to a head in a single scene at Birdies bar. Poppy finally says exactly what she feels—no sarcasm, no deflection—and Alex’s fearful response creates a devastating but necessary moment of truth. The chapter forces both characters to confront the possibility that their love may not be enough to overcome their fundamental mismatch, setting up the final resolution.

Study Questions & Answers

Question: Why does Poppy show Alex a photo of a snake plant during her confession?
Answer: She uses the snake plant as tangible proof that she can be consistent and nurturing. Because the plant is notoriously difficult to kill, its survival symbolizes her newfound ability to sustain something (including a relationship) rather than fleeing.
Question: How does Sarah Torval’s conversation with Poppy challenge both characters’ earlier assumptions?
Answer: Sarah admits that after Poppy withdrew post-Tuscany, her relationship with Alex became even worse, revealing that Poppy’s absence did not fix anything. This forces Poppy to realize that her running had unintended consequences, and it shows Sarah’s own growth in understanding the full picture.
Question: What does Alex mean when he says, “We don’t make sense”?
Answer: Alex believes that their personalities, lifestyles, and past patterns are fundamentally incompatible. He fears that even if they try again, the same conflicts will arise and cause another painful breakup. His statement reflects his deep anxiety about repeated heartbreak rather than a lack of love.