Chapter 21 Summary: The Final Amen

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens on prom night, with Riley, Hannah, Ben, Julia, and Torres gathered at Torres's driveway, waiting for the limo her mother ordered. Riley reflects on a long-standing tradition: every summer since sixth grade, Ben planted sunflowers in his backyard, and the group took their annual photos there. That tradition feels distant now, as they stand in a gated community instead of the Youngs' yard.

Torres's mother is generous and welcoming, a contrast to the Wilsons' entitlement. Riley observes Torres's confidence—she's a sophomore who convinced a junior to ask her to prom. Hannah and Ben share a tender moment; Hannah has made it clear she's going to California alone, but she accepted Ben's roses and boutonniere, suggesting she's opening up despite her fears.

Riley and Julia are secretly together. They maintain a careful distance in public, but they steal touches and glances. Riley recalls the recent expulsion from Pleasant Hills Baptist Church: after the walkout, Delaney, Torres, and Riley received letters citing “uncouth behavior.” They burned the letters together, a symbolic rejection of the church's judgment. Since then, some congregants have questioned Pastor Young, but he still preaches. Julia and Ben now spend Sundays with Riley's family, and Julia occasionally attends Delaney's church.

The group boards the limo, and Riley enjoys the novelty. Torres's date (possibly named Travis) finds apple juice, mistaking it for alcohol. They arrive at the banquet hall, but Julia convinces the driver to take them to Taco Bell instead, stealing a moment alone with Riley. The chapter ends with Riley kissing Julia without guilt, feeling hopeful about a future where they can be open.

Key Events

Riley recalls the sunflower photo tradition and how it's been replaced by prom preparations.
The group gathers at Torres's house; her mother has arranged a limo and a custom dress.
Hannah and Ben share a romantic moment; Hannah pins a boutonniere on him, signaling her growing trust.
Riley and Julia maintain their secret relationship, exchanging hidden touches and glances.
The expulsion letters from Pleasant Hills are revealed; Delaney, Torres, and Riley burned them.
Pastor Young still preaches, but the congregation is now watchful; no one else has been singled out.
Julia and Ben now spend Sundays with Riley's family, and Julia occasionally visits Delaney's church.
The group rides to the dance in the limo; Torres's date mistakes apple juice for alcohol.
Julia redirects the limo to Taco Bell, creating a private moment with Riley.
Riley kisses Julia without feeling guilt, imagining a future where they can be together openly.

Character Development

Riley has grown from someone who feared judgment to someone who embraces her relationship with Julia. She no longer hears a voice telling her that loving Julia is wrong. She also shows maturity in accepting that Hannah can be her own rock, and she feels hope for a future beyond their small town.
Julia emerges as more rebellious and spontaneous. She initiates the Taco Bell detour, breaking rules to be with Riley. Her willingness to challenge her parents' expectations and her father's authority shows her growth. She also finds comfort in Delaney's church, indicating she's seeking a faith that accepts her.
Hannah softens toward Ben, despite her determination to go to California alone. Her acceptance of his roses and her decision to pin a boutonniere on him suggest she's learning to trust again after past hurt.
Ben remains steadfast and earnest, showing his devotion to Hannah through his romantic gestures.
Torres demonstrates resilience and humor, turning the expulsion letter into a joke and burning it with her friends. Her family's support provides a safe space for the group.
Delaney (mentioned) dismisses the expulsion letter, showing her indifference to the church's judgment.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sunflowers symbolize friendship, memory, and the passage of time. The tradition of photos in the sunflower patch represents a stable, joyful past that is now changing as the characters move toward adulthood.
Prom serves as a rite of passage, marking the end of high school and the beginning of new possibilities. Riley's desire to slow dance with Julia at a future prom underscores her hope for acceptance.
Secret romance and hiding are central. Riley and Julia's careful balancing act—hidden touches, coded glances—highlights the constraints of their community and the cost of being closeted.
Defiance against church authority is shown through the burning of the expulsion letters. This act is a symbolic rejection of the church's judgment and a reclaiming of agency.
Hope for a future together emerges as Riley imagines a time when they won't have to hide. The limo ride becomes a metaphor for escaping constraints, even temporarily.
Family and community support are contrasted: the Torres family welcomes the group, while the church and the Youngs (except Julia) remain distant. Riley's parents accept her relationship, as seen when her dad helps pick out corsages.
Leaving organized religion is explored through Julia's visits to Delaney's church and the group's separation from Pleasant Hills. The chapter suggests that faith can be redefined outside institutional structures.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a turning point for Riley and Julia's relationship. It moves from secret, anxious moments to a public (albeit private) act of rebellion—taking a limo to Taco Bell—and ends with Riley kissing Julia without guilt. The burning of the expulsion letters and the subsequent fallout show the consequences of their walkout, but also the support they've found outside the church. The chapter reinforces the theme of personal growth: Riley no longer sees her future as impossible, and Julia is willing to break rules for love. It also provides closure for the church storyline, as the congregation's silence suggests a shift in power. The sunflower tradition's absence highlights how much has changed, but the new memories made in the limo offer a hopeful beginning.

Study Questions and Answers

**Why does Riley feel that the sunflower photo tradition is