Chapter 36: Summary and Analysis

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(Note: The chapter is internally titled “Chapter 36” but is the 37th chapter in the book's sequence; we'll refer to it as Chapter 37 for consistency with the page URL.)

Summary

The chapter opens with Kat stumbling upon Garrett kissing Ellis on the beach. She immediately apologizes and tries to leave, but Ellis insists that he will go, telling Garrett and Kat that they need to talk. After Ellis departs, Garrett is visibly shaken, and Kat quickly reassures him that she won't tell anyone about what she saw. Garrett admits he is gay, and Kat confesses she had suspected something but never knew for sure. She offers to continue acting as his public girlfriend, a role she already plays, and Garrett gratefully accepts. They decide to share the champagne bottle Kat had taken from the party, and Garrett opens it with practiced ease.

Sitting on the breakwater, they talk about the party and the awkwardness of avoiding Heath. Kat mentions her own insecurities about being from a small Midwestern suburb, calling herself “small-town Midwestern trash.” Garrett counters that everyone at these events feels similarly self-conscious, and then reveals a surprising secret about his mother, Sheila. He tells Kat that Sheila was born Lin Li-Mei in Sugar Land, Texas, and that her family owned an office supply store, living in an apartment above it. Sheila changed her name when she left home, and her parents died in the 1990s; their obituary mentioned a daughter named Lin Li-Mei. Garrett says that Bella doesn't know any of this, and Kat is stunned to learn that the twins keep secrets from each other.

Kat reflects on how Sheila constructed her public persona, realizing that the legend of Sheila Lin was a carefully crafted image, not the real woman. This revelation doesn't disillusion Kat; instead, it gives her hope that she too can reinvent herself. The champagne makes them both a little tipsy, and they decide to skip the party and order room service instead. As they walk back toward the hotel, Garrett drapes his jacket over Kat's shoulders and they lean on each other for support. Just as they approach the hotel, they see Heath standing in their path, blocking the way. The chapter ends on this tense note, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

Key Events

Kat discovers Garrett kissing Ellis on the beach and apologizes, but Ellis leaves so Garrett and Kat can talk.
Garrett admits he is gay and asks Kat to keep it a secret; she agrees and offers to continue as his public girlfriend.
They share champagne on the breakwater, discussing the party and Heath's presence.
Kat reveals her own insecurities about her Midwestern upbringing, and Garrett empathizes.
Garrett discloses that his mother Sheila was born Lin Li-Mei in Sugar Land, Texas, and changed her name; Bella doesn't know.
Kat realizes that Sheila's public persona is a constructed myth, which inspires her rather than disappointing her.
They decide to skip the party and order room service, but as they walk back, Heath blocks their path.

Character Development

Kat – This chapter deepens Kat's understanding of Garrett and herself. She shows empathy by immediately offering to keep Garrett's secret and even volunteers to be his beard, demonstrating her loyalty. Her reflection on her own class insecurity reveals a vulnerable side, and she begins to see Sheila's story as a model for self-transformation. Kat also feels closer to Garrett than ever, noting that they rarely talk about anything beyond skating, and this night feels like a genuine meeting.

Garrett – Garrett is forced to reveal a deeply personal secret, and his vulnerability brings him closer to Kat. He admits he has kept his sexuality hidden out of fear and because he likes having a part of himself that isn't public. His empathy for Kat's insecurities shows his ability to see others' perspectives, even when they don't deserve it. The revelation about his mother's past adds another layer to his character, as he shares a family secret that even his twin doesn't know.

Sheila – Though not present, Sheila's backstory is a major focus. Her transformation from Lin Li-Mei to Sheila Lin is revealed as a deliberate act of self-reinvention, and Kat sees her as a mythmaker. This chapter humanizes Sheila, showing that her public image was a carefully constructed facade.

Heath – Heath appears only at the end, but his presence looms over the conversation. Garrett's empathy for Heath and Kat's avoidance of him highlight the unresolved tension between them.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secret Identity – Garrett's hidden sexuality and Sheila's hidden past are parallel secrets. Both characters have constructed public personas that conceal their true selves.

Self-Reinvention – Sheila's change from Lin Li-Mei to Sheila Lin exemplifies the idea of reinventing oneself to escape a humble origin. Kat sees this as a hopeful possibility for her own life.

Class Insecurity – Kat's self-deprecating comment about being “small-town Midwestern trash” reveals her discomfort in elite circles. Garrett's reassurance that everyone feels insecure underscores the theme of class anxiety.

Public vs. Private Self – The chapter contrasts the public images of the Lins with their private truths. Garrett's desire to keep his sexuality private and Sheila's hidden past both illustrate the gap between how they appear and who they are.

Family Secrets – The revelation that Bella doesn't know about their mother's past shocks Kat, who believed the twins shared everything. This secret adds a new dimension to the family dynamics.

Vulnerability as Intimacy – By sharing secrets, Kat and Garrett grow closer. Their conversation on the beach, away from the party, becomes a moment of genuine connection.

Myth-Making – Kat explicitly thinks of “the legend of Sheila Lin,” recognizing that Sheila created a myth around herself. This motif ties to the broader theme of how public figures are constructed.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for several reasons. It solidifies the bond between Kat and Garrett, moving their relationship from professional partners to true confidants. Garrett's admission of his sexuality and the secret about his mother's past deepen the reader's understanding of the Lin family, revealing that even the closest siblings keep secrets. Kat's reaction to Sheila's story—feeling hope rather than disillusionment—marks a turning point in her own self-perception, as she begins to see reinvention as a possibility. The chapter also sets up immediate conflict with Heath's appearance at the end, raising the stakes for the next chapter. The themes of identity and secrecy are central to the novel, and this chapter brings them to the forefront.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Kat's reaction to Garrett's secret reveal her character?

Kat responds with immediate reassurance and offers to continue as his public girlfriend, showing her loyalty and empathy. She also reflects on how this knowledge would have eased her earlier jealousy of Garrett, indicating her ability to adapt her understanding. Her willingness to keep the secret, even from Heath, demonstrates her commitment to Garrett's well-being.

2. What does Sheila's backstory reveal about the theme of self-reinvention?

Sheila changed her name from Lin Li-Mei and left her modest Texas upbringing behind to create a new identity. Kat sees this as a deliberate act of myth-making, and instead of feeling deceived, she feels inspired. This suggests that self-reinvention is a powerful tool for escaping one's origins, but it also implies that such transformations come at the cost of hiding one's true past.

3. Why does Kat decide to skip the party and order room service?

Kat wants to avoid the predatory behavior of older men at the party and also steer clear of Heath. She and Garrett are both tipsy from the champagne, and they prefer a quiet, private evening together. This decision reinforces their growing intimacy and sets the stage for the confrontation with Heath as they return to the hotel.