Chapter 27 Summary, Analysis, and Discussion Points

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Summary

The chapter opens with Julia and Mark trying to persuade their daughter Alma to attend her high school's awards ceremony, which the school calls “The Celebration of Promise” and Alma dismisses as “A Rite of Bullshit.” Alma has been moping in her room for two weeks, barely lifting her head from her pillow, and Julia worries about her daughter's melancholy. Mark insists they all go, citing an article about teenage overachievement stress, and Julia reluctantly agrees, though she dreads socializing with other parents.

At the ceremony, Julia and Mark watch a series of student recognitions, including a nervous boy named Sebastian who trips over an extension cord onstage. When Alma's name is called for her successful campaign to switch the cafeteria to biodegradable silverware, she appears onstage in black cutoffs, fishnets, and a flowered blazer. She spots her parents and gives them a tiny smile, which cracks Julia's heart. Afterward, Alma is flushed and bright-eyed, a far more animated version of herself. She mentions a party at her friend Farina's rooftop, where Emmy's mom has rented the space, and says she'll get a ride. She also asks to borrow Julia's lipstick—the last tube of Power Raisin, a discontinued shade Julia has been rationing for years. Julia hands it over without hesitation.

Julia and Mark head to a nearby restaurant, where they meet another couple, Nick and Elise Mooney, whose son Sebastian is the boy who tripped. The conversation turns to their children leaving for college, and Mark casually mentions that they have a grandchild on the way. Julia feels cold and uneasy, wondering why Mark shared this news with strangers. The Mooneys fawn over the announcement, and Elise mentions that she and Nick are in couples counseling to prepare for being alone together. Julia is struck by the phrase “how to be alone together” and feels a mix of sincerity and discomfort.

The couple decides to leave early, texting Alma that they couldn't get a table and are heading home, but offering to pick her up. Alma responds with a series of short texts, asking for an extra hour on her curfew, which Mark grants. Julia and Mark walk through a nearby park, discussing whether they need counseling themselves. Mark expresses optimism about being alone together, comparing it to their early dating days. They stop to look at a Mediterranean restaurant menu, and Mark jokes about sharing everything, which makes Julia nervous. The chapter ends with them leaning into each other, reading the menu together.

Key Events

Julia and Mark coax Alma out of her room to attend the awards ceremony.
Alma is recognized for her biodegradable silverware campaign and smiles at her parents.
Alma mentions a rooftop party and asks to borrow Julia's lipstick (the last Power Raisin).
Julia and Mark meet Nick and Elise Mooney at a restaurant; their son Sebastian tripped onstage.
Mark reveals the upcoming grandchild to the Mooneys, making Julia uneasy.
The couple leaves early, texts Alma, and grants her an extra hour on her curfew.
They walk through a park, discuss being alone together, and stop at a Mediterranean restaurant menu.

Character Development

Julia is the emotional center of this chapter. Her anxiety about socializing with other parents reflects her broader fear of change and aging. She worries about Alma's melancholy, but also about her own inability to feel excited about the grandchild, which she fixates on through Sunny's repeated use of “Baby.” Julia's internal conflict is palpable: she loves her daughter deeply, yet she dreads the empty nest and her own transformation into a grandmother. The lipstick moment is a poignant symbol of her willingness to sacrifice something precious for Alma, even as she feels like she's losing her daughter. Her thoughts about being a “bog witch” at the baby's christening reveal her fear of not fitting into the expected role of a joyful grandparent.

Mark serves as a counterpoint to Julia's anxiety. He is optimistic about the future, eager to share the grandchild news, and comfortable with strangers. His ease in conversation and his ability to find humor in awkward situations highlight his role as the family's emotional anchor. He reassures Julia that being alone together will be fun, comparing it to their early dating days. His willingness to grant Alma an extra hour on her curfew shows his trust in their daughter and his desire to let her grow.

Alma undergoes a subtle but significant shift. She emerges from her two-week mope, engages with her parents, and even asks for lipstick—a small act of connection. Her texts, though brief, show a willingness to communicate and a hint of excitement about the party. Her smile at her parents during the ceremony is a turning point, suggesting that she still values their presence even as she asserts her independence.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Empty Nest and Letting Go: The chapter is steeped in the anxiety of children leaving home. Julia and Mark's conversation about being alone together, and the Mooneys' counseling, both center on this transition.
Aging and Mortality: Julia's fear of aging is evident in her thoughts about becoming a grandparent and her discomfort with Mark's announcement. The bedtime ritual with Alma, where Alma feared death, is recalled, linking the theme of mortality to the passage of time.
Marriage Maintenance: The Mooneys' couples counseling and Julia and Mark's own discussion about whether they need help highlight the effort required to sustain a relationship after children leave.
Communication Styles: The contrast between Julia's long, novelistic texts and Alma's short, fragmented ones underscores the generational and emotional gaps between them.
Social Performance: The awards ceremony itself is a performance of achievement, and Julia's dread of socializing reflects her discomfort with the performative aspects of parenthood.
Sacrifice and Nostalgia: Julia's willingness to give up her last tube of Power Raisin symbolizes her sacrifice for Alma, while her nostalgia for Alma's childhood is palpable throughout.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Julia's emotional arc. It crystallizes her fears about the empty nest, aging, and her role as a grandmother, while also showing her deep love for Alma. The lipstick moment is a powerful symbol of her willingness to let go of something precious, even as she struggles with the idea of letting go of her daughter. The encounter with the Mooneys provides a mirror for Julia's own anxieties, and Mark's optimism offers a counterbalance. The chapter also deepens the theme of time passing, as Julia reflects on how quickly Alma has grown. It sets up the emotional stakes for the rest of the novel, as Julia must navigate her changing identity and her relationship with Mark.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Julia feel uneasy when Mark tells the Mooneys about the grandchild?

Julia feels uneasy because the announcement forces her to confront her own lack of excitement about the baby. She is still fixated on her annoyance with Sunny's constant use of “Baby,” and she fears she won't fit into the expected role of a joyful grandmother. The news also makes her feel older, as if she's being thrust into a new stage of life she isn't ready for.

What does the lipstick exchange reveal about Julia's relationship with Alma?

The lipstick exchange shows Julia's willingness to sacrifice something she treasures for her daughter. The Power Raisin lipstick is a rare, discontinued item she has rationed for years, yet she hands it over without hesitation. This act symbolizes her deep love for Alma and her desire to give her daughter something of herself, even as she struggles with the idea of letting go.

How does the chapter explore the theme of “being alone together”?

The phrase comes from Elise Mooney, who explains that she and Nick are in couples counseling to learn how to be alone together after their son leaves. Julia is struck by the phrase, and she and Mark later discuss whether they need similar help. Mark is optimistic, comparing their future to their early dating days, while Julia is more anxious. The chapter suggests that maintaining a marriage after children leave requires intentional effort, but also that love and shared history can sustain a couple.