Chapter 6 Summary: The Reluctant Carpenter

⚠️ 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 with Riley, Delaney, and Greer wandering through a sparse wooded area at camp, tasked with building a wilderness shelter as part of a competition. Riley is openly disengaged, having no interest in the manual labor and no desire to embody the virtue of diligence the exercise is meant to teach. Greer, by contrast, is fully invested, reminding Riley that sloth is a sin and that the point of the exercise is to be diligent. Riley mocks her, and the tension between them is immediate.

As they reach the edge of the clearing, Riley stops to take in the view. From the elevated picnic area, she can see the entire camp spread out below—the cabins, the paths, the other groups working in the central field. For a brief moment, the view steadies her, and she feels some of the tension from the past day release.

Riley then has an idea. She crawls under one of the picnic tables and declares it their shelter. Delaney quickly joins her, amused by the cleverness of the loophole. Greer hesitates, worried about the rules, but eventually crawls under the table as well. Gabe, the camp counselor, discovers them and tries to insist they actually build something. Riley argues that God provided the tables, so they are using the materials God provided. Gabe is frustrated and leaves to check on the rest of the group.

Under the table, the three girls relax. Greer admits the project was stressing her out, and Delaney teases her. Riley pulls out her prayer book, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief despite the fact that she is deliberately being lazy. The conversation turns to college plans. Delaney reveals she is a senior heading to Ohio State in the fall, and Greer mentions she is planning to study social work. Riley laughs at this, finding it ironic given how Greer has treated Hannah. Greer takes offense, and the argument escalates.

Greer accuses Riley of thinking she is better than everyone because she left, and of not believing in God anymore. Riley denies both accusations, but Greer's words hit hard. The argument is interrupted when Gabe returns, asking if they are really going to stick with their plan. Greer deflects, telling Gabe to ask Riley. Riley confirms they are not building anything, and their group loses the competition spectacularly.

After lunch is announced, Riley tells Delaney she wants to change clothes first. She walks alone toward the cabins, thumbing through her prayer book, needing a moment away from the group. She collides with Pastor Young, who has changed into a counselor T-shirt. He is warm and friendly, saying he is glad she is there and that the congregation misses her at Pleasant Hills. Riley asks if he would be happy to see Hannah too, and Pastor Young deflects, saying that remains to be seen.

As Riley tries to leave, Pastor Young calls her back. His tone shifts, becoming a warning. He tells her he does not want to report to her principal that she is wasting the opportunity by sitting under tables and encouraging bad behavior. He says he has to protect his children from the perils of the world and would hate for her to become a bad influence. Riley feels a chill down her spine. She realizes that Pastor Young may hate her the most—the girl who left before he could kick her out, who has been ignoring his Bible study invitations, and who is still best friends with his children.

Key Events

Riley, Delaney, and Greer fail to build a shelter and instead use a picnic table as their shelter.
Gabe confronts them but cannot force them to work.
The girls discuss college plans: Delaney is going to Ohio State, and Greer plans to study social work.
Riley and Greer argue, with Greer accusing Riley of thinking she is better because she left and of not believing in God.
The group loses the shelter-building competition.
Riley walks alone and runs into Pastor Young, who warns her not to waste the opportunity or become a bad influence.
Riley realizes Pastor Young may hate her more than anyone.

Character Development

Riley shows a mix of defiance and vulnerability in this chapter. Her decision to use the picnic table as shelter is a deliberate act of rebellion against the camp's authority, but it also gives her a rare moment of peace. She is clearly affected by Greer's accusation that she thinks she is better because she left, and she cannot fully deny it. Her fear of Pastor Young is visceral, and the chapter reveals how much she has been carrying—the weight of her secret, her anger at the church, and her complicated feelings about the friends she left behind.

Greer is revealed to be more than just a rule-follower. She joins Riley under the table, admits the project was stressing her out, and even cracks a smile. But her attack on Riley's faith shows a sharp edge. She is quick to judge and quick to assume the worst about Riley's motives.

Delaney serves as a grounding presence, easygoing and supportive. She is the one who encourages Greer to relax and who saves Riley a seat at lunch.

Pastor Young is revealed as a more threatening figure in this chapter. His warmth is performative, and his warning to Riley is clearly a threat. He positions himself as a protector of his family and the church, and he makes it clear that Riley is being watched.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sloth as Sin vs. Rebellion: The shelter-building exercise is framed as a lesson in diligence, with sloth presented as a sin. Riley's deliberate refusal to participate is a form of rebellion against the authority that demands her compliance.

Religious Hypocrisy: Pastor Young's warm smile and his threatening words exist side by side. He claims to want to guide Riley on her journey while simultaneously warning her to stay in line.

Fear of Exposure: Riley's prayer book is a private space, and she snaps it shut when she collides with Pastor Young. Her secret—her feelings for girls—is something she must protect at all costs.

Power and Control: Pastor Young's warning makes it clear that he has power over Riley's situation. He can report her to her principal, and he can decide who is welcome at his church.

Leaving vs. Staying: Greer's accusation that Riley thinks she is better because she left cuts deep. The chapter explores the tension between those who leave a community and those who stay.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It establishes Pastor Young as a genuine threat to Riley, not just a distant authority figure. His warning is a direct attempt to control her behavior, and it reveals the power dynamics at play. The chapter also deepens the conflict between Riley and Greer, showing that their friendship is fractured in ways that may not be easily repaired. The moment under the picnic table—brief, peaceful, and shared—offers a glimpse of what connection could look like, but it is quickly overshadowed by the threat of Pastor Young.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Riley choose to use the picnic table as shelter, and what does this decision reveal about her character?

Riley chooses the picnic table because it is a loophole—a way to avoid the work without technically breaking the rules. It reveals her defiance and her willingness to challenge authority, but also her desire for a moment of peace. She is not just being lazy; she is actively resisting the camp's expectations.

2. How does Greer's accusation about Riley's faith affect Riley, and why is it so painful?

Greer accuses Riley of not believing in God anymore, and Riley denies it. The accusation is painful because it touches on something Riley is still figuring out. She has left the church, but she has not fully abandoned her faith. Greer's words force Riley to confront her own uncertainty.

3. What does Pastor Young's warning reveal about the power dynamics at camp?

Pastor Young's warning reveals that he has significant power over Riley's situation. He can report her behavior to her principal, and he can decide who is welcome at his church. His warning is a reminder that Riley is not free to simply be herself at camp—she is being watched, and her compliance is expected.