Wes's Chapter: Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

⚠️ 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 Wes alone with his thoughts, replaying the moment he caught Ada when she nearly fell. He immediately regrets touching her, knowing she didn't want contact, even though letting her fall would have left him feeling worse. His hands acted before his brain could stop them, and the brief physical connection stopped his world again—just as it had when she rolled down her car window and the night before.

Wes reflects on his romantic history, or lack of it. He's been attracted to people before and had a few girlfriends, but not for years. He's aware that women in Meadowlark are interested in him, and the older ladies constantly try to set him up with nieces and granddaughters. What frustrates him is the word