Chapter 19 (Alex): Summary and 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.

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If you haven't read the previous chapter, you might want to check the Chapter 18 summary first.

Otherwise, let's dive in.

This chapter is told entirely from Alex's point of view and focuses on her internal pressure to make the plan with Molly work before Natalie arrives.

It's a short but revealing chapter that shows how Alex's urgency contrasts with Molly's more patient approach, and it sets up the next step in their scheme.

The chapter also gives us a glimpse into the long-distance strain between Alex and Natalie, and how Alex's need for proof of her own change is driving her actions.

Let's break it down.

Summary

The chapter opens with Alex biking to Hitchhiker Brewing in Sharpsburg for her food truck shift. She's still full from the palachinkas she ate at Molly's house, which reminded her of the pancakes she and Natalie used to share at the diner.

She arrives early and decides to call Natalie, since Nat sleeps late and Alex will be busy later.

The call doesn't go as well as she hoped. Natalie is preparing for a gig in Kansas City and seems distracted and distant. She questions why Alex is calling now, even though Alex is just following her earlier instruction to call. Natalie mentions that she wrote the song “Sleepy Girl” for Alex, which softens the moment, but the conversation feels strained. Natalie is clearly busy and doesn't ask many follow-up questions about Alex's new job.

After the call, Alex starts her shift with Jim, the food truck owner. They fall into a comfortable routine: Jim handles the prep cooler, Alex sets up the menu and cash register, and they serve customers steadily. During a lull, Alex's mind wanders back to the plan with Molly. She realizes that Molly took two weeks to get Cora's phone number, but Natalie is arriving in just twenty days. Alex feels she can't afford to take that long. She needs to prove to Natalie that she can help people connect and that she can have platonic friendships.

So, she pulls out her phone and texts Molly: “We’re doing Step 2. Tomorrow. I’ll be there by 10:30.” She needs proof, and she needs it fast. The chapter ends with Alex thinking that Molly isn't the only one trying to get the girl—she's trying to keep hers.

Key Events

Alex bikes to Hitchhiker Brewing for her food truck shift, thinking about calling Natalie.
She calls Natalie, but the conversation is awkward because Natalie is busy preparing for a gig.
Natalie reveals she wrote “Sleepy Girl” for Alex, which briefly improves the mood.
Alex works with Jim, taking orders and serving food in a steady rhythm.
During a lull, Alex reflects on the timeline: Molly took two weeks to get Cora's number, but Natalie arrives in twenty days.
Alex texts Molly to initiate Step 2 the next day at 10:30, driven by her need for proof.

Character Development

Alex is the focal point of this chapter. We see her insecurity about her relationship with Natalie, especially after the awkward phone call. She's also feeling the pressure of time—Natalie's arrival is looming, and Alex believes she needs to show tangible results from her plan with Molly. This urgency reveals a more anxious side of Alex, who is usually confident and impulsive. Her decision to text Molly about Step 2 shows that she's willing to push the plan forward, even if it means being more aggressive than Molly might prefer.

Natalie is only heard over the phone, but her behavior is telling. She's distant and preoccupied with her tour, and she doesn't seem fully engaged in the conversation. However, her admission that she wrote “Sleepy Girl” for Alex shows that she still cares, even if she's not great at expressing it in the moment. This contrast between her words and her tone highlights the communication gap in their long-distance relationship.

Jim serves as a grounding presence. He's practical and no-nonsense, and his interactions with Alex are comfortable and routine. He doesn't know about Alex's plan, but his steady presence provides a contrast to Alex's internal turmoil.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Long-distance relationship strain is a central theme. The phone call between Alex and Natalie is awkward and full of misunderstandings. Natalie's comment about Alex getting a new girlfriend shows her insecurity, while Alex's decision to hide her plan with Molly suggests she's afraid of how Natalie might react. The distance makes communication harder, and both characters seem to be struggling to stay connected.

Timeline pressure and urgency is another key theme. Alex is acutely aware of the countdown to Natalie's arrival. She contrasts Molly's two-week timeline for getting Cora's number with her own twenty-day deadline. This urgency drives her to push the plan forward, even if it means skipping steps. It also reflects her fear that she won't be able to prove she's changed in time.

Food as memory and connection appears through the palachinkas. Alex explicitly connects them to the pancakes she and Natalie used to share, and this memory is what prompts her to call Natalie. Food serves as a bridge between her past and present, and it highlights the emotional connection she's trying to maintain.

Communication gaps in relationships are evident in the phone call. Natalie is busy and distracted, while Alex is eager to talk. They talk past each other, and Alex's decision to not tell Natalie about Molly shows that she's avoiding a difficult conversation. This theme underscores the challenges of maintaining a relationship from a distance.

Need for proof of personal change is a driving force for Alex. She believes that just telling Natalie she's been helping Molly isn't enough; she needs to show tangible results. This need for proof reflects her insecurity about whether she's truly changed and whether Natalie will believe her.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is crucial because it reveals Alex's motivation for helping Molly. It's not just about being a good friend; it's about proving to Natalie that she can be trusted. Alex's urgency contrasts with Molly's more patient approach, setting up potential conflict between them as they move forward with Step 2.

The chapter also deepens our understanding of Alex's relationship with Natalie. The phone call shows that their connection is fragile, and Alex's fear of losing Natalie is palpable. This fear drives her actions and makes her more sympathetic, even when she's being impulsive.

Finally, the chapter sets up the next phase of the plot. Alex's text to Molly about Step 2 promises action, and readers are left wondering how Molly will react to Alex's push for speed. This creates anticipation for the next chapter.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alex feel the need to speed up Molly's plan?

Alex feels the need to speed up the plan because Natalie is arriving in twenty days, and Alex wants to have proof that she can help people connect. She believes that if Molly and Cora aren't together or close to it by then, Natalie won't believe that Alex has changed. Alex's urgency stems from her fear of losing Natalie and her need to demonstrate her growth.

2. How does the phone call with Natalie reveal the state of their relationship?

The phone call reveals that their relationship is strained by distance and miscommunication. Natalie is distracted and busy, and she doesn't seem fully engaged in the conversation. She also makes a jealous comment about Alex getting a new girlfriend, showing her insecurity. However, she reveals that she wrote “Sleepy Girl” for Alex, which shows she still cares. The call highlights both the love and the tension in their relationship.

3. What role does Jim play in this chapter?

Jim provides a grounding presence and a normal work routine for Alex. He doesn't know about her plan with Molly, and his practical, no-nonsense attitude contrasts with Alex's internal turmoil. He also serves as a reminder of Alex's everyday life outside of her relationship drama, and his steady presence helps Alex focus on her work, even as her mind is elsewhere.