Chapter 20: Confronting Feelings and Festival Preparations

⚠️ 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

Daisy struggles to act normal around Elliot after their intimate encounter, which she internally calls "The Great Orgasm Incident." At the final Beltane planning meeting, she pretends to care about logistics while fighting a full-body reaction to his nearness. Elliot confesses he voted for Gladys Gladstone for May Queen, surprising Bennett who is campaigning for Kira. After the meeting, Daisy resolves to treat the relationship as purely fake, determined to protect her heart. The morning of the festival, her grandmother brings a box of old family photos and ledgers, including items from Great-Aunt Daisy. Grandma June warns Daisy not to dwell in the past and urges her to focus on moving forward. Daisy loads supplies for her flower crown booth, receives a surprising show of respect from Logan, and sets up at the town square, feeling cautiously optimistic about the season ahead.

Key Events

Daisy sits next to Elliot at the Beltane planning meeting, struggling to suppress her physical and emotional reaction after their recent intimacy.
The committee finalizes logistics: food trucks on Main Street, maypole raising by the fire department, Miss Janet's dance class, Cliff's band performing, and the bonfire managed by Logan and Bennett.
Elliot reveals he voted for Gladys Gladstone for May Queen, causing Bennett to groan.
Daisy offers to tally voting ballots but annoys the committee with her disinterest.
Back at the shop, Grandma June delivers a cardboard box of old photographs, ledgers, and notebooks, including items from Daisy's namesake great-aunt.
Grandma June advises Daisy not to spend too much time in the past and comments that the town sees Daisy and Elliot as "happy and in love."
Daisy has a panicked reaction to the idea of love, yanking off her sweater and leaving her hair a mess.
Logan helps Daisy transport supplies and offers unexpected encouragement, saying he respects how she's handling the curse gossip.
Daisy sets up her booth with a purple tablecloth and a sign decorated by Iris, feeling a new sense of determination.

Character Development

Daisy: Her internal conflict deepens as she acknowledges her attraction to Elliot but actively resists falling in love, fearing heartbreak. She shifts from denial to a fragile resolve to focus on saving the shop. The box of ancestral items connects her to her family history, but Grandma's advice pushes her toward "moving forward."
Elliot: Although less directly present, his whispered comments and physical closeness reveal his continued interest and care. Voting for Gladys shows he values community contributions over personal connections.
Grandma June: Her delivery of the family box and her advice to not live in the past demonstrate her role as a grounding influence, encouraging Daisy to embrace the present.
Logan: His brief, sincere praise of Daisy's resilience offers a rare moment of emotional support from a typically quiet character, hinting at deeper community solidarity.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fear of Vulnerability and Love: Daisy's decision to label the encounter "The Great Orgasm Incident" and her panicked reaction to the idea of love highlight her terror of emotional intimacy, rooted in past heartbreak.
Tradition and Community: The Beltane festival planning exemplifies small-town rituals that bind the community. The maypole, May Queen, bonfires, and food trucks all reinforce a shared cultural identity.
Past vs. Present: Grandma June's gift of old photographs and ledgers symbolizes Daisy's temptation to dwell on family history (especially Great-Aunt Daisy). Her advice to "focus on moving forward" becomes a pivotal theme: Daisy must balance honoring her roots with building her own future.
Renewal and Possibility: The festival marks the transition from spring to summer, mirroring Daisy's tentative hope. The beautiful sunny day feels full of possibilities, and Daisy admits she might be ready for a new season in her life.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 20 acts as a turning point where internal emotions and external actions collide. Daisy can no longer ignore her feelings for Elliot, but her fear of love leads her to double down on the fake relationship. The arrival of the family archive and Grandma's wisdom push Daisy to decide how much of the past she will let define her. The Beltane preparations also solidify the community's role in Daisy's story: she is not alone, and her shop's survival depends on events like this festival. The chapter sets the stage for the festival itself, which promises both celebration and emotional risk.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Daisy's internal conflict in this chapter reflect the themes of the Beltane festival? Daisy's struggle between wanting to let Elliot in and her determination to remain detached mirrors the festival's themes of renewal and transition. Beltane celebrates the move from spring to summer, a time of growth and change. Daisy, too, faces a choice: stay frozen in her fear or embrace the possibility of love and a new season in her life. The festival's rituals—flower crowns, bonfires, and dancing—symbolize the community's openness to joy, contrasting sharply with Daisy's guardedness.

2. What is the significance of Grandma June giving Daisy the box of old family photos and ledgers? The box connects Daisy to her namesake great-aunt and her ancestors, offering tangible links to the shop's history. It fuels Daisy's curiosity about the past and her desire to honor those who came before her. However, Grandma June's warning not to "spend too much time in the past" cautions Daisy against using history as an excuse to avoid the present. The gift thus serves both as inspiration and as a test: can Daisy learn from the past without getting lost in it?

3. How does Elliot's vote for Gladys Gladstone reveal aspects of his character? Elliot's vote for Gladys shows that he values genuine service and community contributions over popularity or personal connections. Despite Bennett's aggressive campaign for Kira, Elliot makes his own choice based on what he has observed (the positive changes at the pancake house). This independence and thoughtfulness align with his careful, competent demeanor. It also subtly signals to Daisy that Elliot is not easily swayed by peer pressure, which may be reassuring for someone afraid of being hurt again.