Chapter 30 Summary, Themes, 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.
Summary
The chapter opens with Clover at home, watching Sebastian's name flash across her phone screen for the second time that morning. She screens the call, then screens a second one, and finally texts him with a small lie about being in the shower. When his name appears a third time, she answers out of obligation. Sebastian explains that he's playing in a cello quartet the next night at a Chelsea gallery and asks if Clover would bring Claudia, noting that his grandmother always loved his concerts and that this might be one last chance for her to attend. Clover agrees, feeling her nerves ease once she understands the purpose of the call.
The next evening, Clover stays past her usual visiting time to accompany Claudia by Uber. At Claudia's apartment, Clover watches her prepare: applying red lipstick with practiced ease, dabbing perfume on her wrists and behind her ears, and smoothing her skirt. Claudia asks Clover to fasten a string of pearls, and as Clover does, Claudia catches her eye in the mirror and thanks her warmly, saying how lucky she is to have Clover. Clover is deeply moved, feeling as though an empty place inside her is being filled. Claudia then announces she won't use her wheelchair tonight, declaring that this could be her last night on the town and she's determined to do it in style.
Without the wheelchair, their entrance into the gallery is more of a shuffle, with Clover's arm wrapped tightly around Claudia's waist. Claudia carries herself with such grace that people at the entrance beam at her with approval. Sebastian strides toward them, kisses Claudia twice, and turns to Clover. Mortified that he might try to kiss her in front of Claudia, Clover abruptly sticks out her hand for a handshake. Sebastian recovers quickly, switching his phone to his other hand to shake hers. He leads them to front-row seats.
Clover reads the program aloud: Bach's Cello Suites. Sebastian bashfully admits it's the most clichéd cello composition, that he wanted to play Fauré's