Chapter 60 Summary: Dawn’s Suicide Plan Fails

⚠️ 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

Dawn waits on a pier as the tide rises, a cinderblock tied to her ankle. She intends to drown herself and make her death appear like a murder, thereby framing Natalie for the crime and ensuring Natalie spends the rest of her life in prison. Dawn reflects on her short life: she experienced friendship with Mia, a career, love with Caleb (who betrayed her by sleeping with Natalie, though she asked him to), but now feels everything worthwhile is over. She recalls Mia’s dream of living to 87, traveling the world, and having a family—dreams Dawn cannot fulfill without her. Dawn believes her death will be the ultimate revenge. As she prepares to jump, Natalie appears, sent by Caleb. A tense confrontation follows: Natalie apologizes for bullying Amelia (Mia) in high school, but Dawn refuses to accept the apology, blaming Natalie for Mia’s suicide. Natalie reveals that Caleb told her everything, so framing her for murder is no longer possible. Realizing her revenge plan is ruined, Dawn shifts her intent: she decides she must kill Natalie right there on the pier to make her pay.

Key Events

Dawn ties a cinderblock to her ankle, planning to drown herself when the tide is high.
She philosophizes about turtles, life expectancy, and her own exhaustion with life.
She recalls her friendship with Mia and Mia’s detailed life goals.
Dawn acknowledges she once asked Caleb to sleep with Natalie, but still feels betrayed.
Natalie arrives on the pier, guided by Caleb, and pleads with Dawn not to jump.
Dawn accuses Natalie of killing Mia through bullying; Natalie apologizes but Dawn rejects it.
Natalie says Caleb has revealed everything, making the framing plan impossible.
Dawn switches from suicide to intending to murder Natalie on the spot.

Character Development

Dawn: Her suicidal ideation deepens; she is consumed by grief and vengeance. She shows a rigid, all-or-nothing mentality: if she cannot frame Natalie, she will kill her. Dawn’s memory of pushing a boy off monkey bars in third grade shows a long history of violent protection of Mia.
Natalie: She appears remorseful, claiming she blames herself every day for what happened to Amelia. She tries to stop Dawn’s suicide, revealing a more empathetic side, but also admits her past cruelty. Natalie is no longer the oblivious character; she now understands the depth of Dawn’s hatred.
Caleb: Off-screen, he chooses to betray Dawn’s plan by telling Natalie, revealing his unwillingness to let Dawn sacrifice herself—and perhaps his own moral boundaries.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Revenge and its futility: Dawn’s intricate plan to frame Natalie collapses because Caleb intervenes. The chapter suggests that revenge plots are fragile and often self-destructive.
Sacrifice and martyrdom: Dawn views her own death as a necessary sacrifice to achieve justice for Mia. She romanticizes dying for a cause, though the plan fails.
Guilt and accountability: Natalie admits her guilt for past bullying but claims she tried to atone through charity. Dawn refuses to see any redemption, highlighting how guilt can be withheld or weaponized.
The cinderblock: A symbol of Dawn’s desperation and determination. It anchors her to the pier physically and metaphorically weighs her down with grief.
Turtle metaphor: The opening musing on turtle lifespans contrasts with Dawn’s feeling that 30 years is enough. It underscores her exhaustion and sense of completion.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter acts as the climax of Dawn’s revenge arc. It reveals the full extent of her plan and its failure, forcing a pivot to direct violence. It also humanizes Natalie by showing her remorse and attempts to prevent Dawn’s death, complicating the reader’s view of her. Caleb’s betrayal of Dawn is a turning point, likely the catalyst for the final confrontation. The chapter heightens tension: Dawn is now determined to kill Natalie, raising the stakes for the remainder of the book.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Dawn tie a cinderblock to her ankle?
Dawn intends to drown herself by jumping into the sea with the cinderblock, making her death look like a murder. She plans to frame Natalie for the crime, ensuring Natalie spends the rest of her life in prison.
How does Dawn react when Natalie arrives and reveals that Caleb told her everything?
Dawn is furious at Caleb for betraying her plan. She realizes that framing Natalie is now impossible because Natalie knows the truth. This leads Dawn to abandon the suicide plan and decide to kill Natalie directly.
What does the confrontation reveal about Natalie’s feelings regarding Mia’s death?
Natalie admits she feels terrible about what happened to Amelia (Mia). She says she blames herself every day and started a charity run to make amends. However, Dawn dismisses this as insufficient, showing that Natalie’s guilt does not absolve her in Dawn’s eyes.