Chapter summaries Play Along Liz Tomforde

Chapter 37 Summary, Key Themes, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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

On Monday morning, Kennedy returns to the Warriors' facility after a weekend away. She had called in sick the previous day because she refused to work under Dr. Fredrick any longer, and she had sent Reese a frantic email requesting a meeting. Before that meeting, she stops in the clubhouse to hand Isaiah the signed divorce papers that had been sitting on her kitchen counter all weekend. Isaiah looks exhausted, and when he realizes she is not wearing team gear, he understands she is leaving. He takes the envelope but does not open it, instead checking whether she still wears his mother's ring. Kennedy tells him she has a meeting with Reese and that they can talk afterward. As she leaves, Isaiah offers her a genuine smile and tells her he is proud of her.

Kennedy walks past the training room without looking in, heading straight to Reese's office. She greets Denise, the secretary, and enters to find both Reese and Monty waiting. Monty quickly assures her the meeting is not about Isaiah. Kennedy then delivers the speech she rehearsed: she explains that she was hired three and a half seasons ago as the team's second doctor, but when Dr. Fredrick realized she was a woman, he instead offered her the athletic trainer position. She states she can no longer tolerate his treatment, and she reveals that her trip to San Francisco was for an interview for a Head of Health and Wellness position, which she declined because her life is in Chicago.

To her surprise, Reese and Monty already know about her qualifications. Reese explains that Emmett called her after Isaiah told him Kennedy was leaving, and she did some digging. She admits she had noticed Fredrick's behavior and had been watching. Monty adds that he should have seen it sooner. Reese then reveals that word got out about the investigation, and every single player filed a formal complaint giving firsthand accounts of Fredrick's treatment. Dr. Fredrick was terminated that morning.

Reese offers Kennedy the Head of Health and Wellness position, noting it would be her honor as the first female team owner to have the first female team doctor. Kennedy initially hesitates, suggesting Will should get the job, but Reese explains Will himself said Kennedy was there first and deserves it. Kennedy accepts, but with conditions: she wants an office manager so she can stay hands-on, and she wants to hire her own replacement. Reese agrees to both. Reese also tells Kennedy that the archaic rule about her and Isaiah's relationship no longer applies—she will not lose her job over it. Kennedy reassures her that won't be a problem. Finally, Reese asks if Kennedy can work the game that night since she is short a doctor, and Kennedy agrees. Monty tells her to go tell her husband she is staying.

Key Events

  • Kennedy returns to the field and gives Isaiah the signed divorce papers.
  • Isaiah tells her he is proud of her as she leaves for her meeting.
  • Kennedy announces her resignation to Reese and Monty, citing gender discrimination by Dr. Fredrick.
  • She reveals she interviewed in San Francisco but declined the offer.
  • Reese and Monty reveal they already knew about Fredrick's behavior.
  • Every player filed a formal complaint, leading to Dr. Fredrick's termination that morning.
  • Reese offers Kennedy the Head of Health and Wellness position.
  • Kennedy accepts after negotiating for an office manager and the right to hire her replacement.
  • She agrees to work the game that night.

Character Development

Kennedy demonstrates remarkable personal agency and professional integrity throughout this chapter. She has spent years quietly enduring discrimination, but she now takes decisive action—first by deciding to quit, then by speaking her truth in the meeting. Her willingness to negotiate conditions shows she has moved from simply surviving to claiming the role she deserves. Her initial instinct to defer to Will reveals her humility, but she ultimately accepts the promotion with confidence.

Isaiah shows quiet, unwavering support. Despite his exhaustion and the weight of the divorce papers, he offers Kennedy a genuine smile and tells her he is proud of her. His earlier decision to draft the papers—giving her a choice—is now met with her own decision, and he accepts it with grace.

Reese emerges as a strong advocate and leader. She had noticed Fredrick's behavior and was watching, and she took action by investigating and ultimately offering Kennedy a position that breaks barriers. Her willingness to discard her grandfather's archaic relationship rule shows she prioritizes fairness over outdated policies.

Monty also shows growth, admitting he should have seen the problem sooner and expressing genuine appreciation for Kennedy's work. His repeated assurance that the offer is not about keeping Isaiah in Chicago underscores his respect for Kennedy as an individual.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Gender discrimination and workplace justice are central. Kennedy's experience—being hired as a doctor but demoted to athletic trainer because of her gender—illustrates systemic bias. The players' collective complaints and Fredrick's termination show that justice can be achieved when people speak up.

Personal agency is a recurring motif. Kennedy's decision to quit, her refusal to accept the San Francisco offer, and her negotiation for better working conditions all demonstrate her reclaiming control over her career.

Colleague support is emphasized through the players' formal complaints, Will's endorsement, and Monty's and Reese's advocacy. The chapter shows that individual courage is amplified by community backing.

Breaking barriers is symbolized by Reese's statement about being the first female team owner hiring the first female team doctor. The promotion represents a shift toward greater representation and equity.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Kennedy's professional arc. It resolves the long-running tension with Dr. Fredrick and transforms her from a victim of discrimination into a leader. The collective action of the players and the support of Reese and Monty reinforce the novel's themes of found family and standing up for what is right. Kennedy's acceptance of the Head of Health and Wellness role also sets up new dynamics for the remainder of the story, both professionally and personally, as she and Isaiah navigate their relationship amid these changes.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why did Kennedy initially decline the San Francisco job offer?

Kennedy declined because her life is in Chicago. She explains that Isaiah is not leaving Chicago, and she cannot leave her life behind. She planned to interview with local universities while waiting for a team doctor position to open with another pro team in the city.

2. What conditions did Kennedy set for accepting the Head of Health and Wellness position?

Kennedy made two demands: she wanted an office manager so she would not be buried in paperwork and could remain hands-on in the training room and on the field, and she wanted to be the one to hire her replacement for her previous position. Reese agreed to both.

3. How did the players contribute to Dr. Fredrick's termination?

After word got out that the organization was investigating Fredrick, every single player filed a formal complaint on Kennedy's behalf, providing firsthand accounts of the things they heard Fredrick say to her. These complaints, combined with Reese's investigation, led to his termination that morning.

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