Chapter 65 Summary 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

In mid-January, Kat arrives at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles for Sheila's funeral. The bright California sun feels oppressive after years of Midwest gloom, and the whispers of other mourners make her an uncomfortable celebrity. Garrett Lin spots her and greets her with a warm hug—the first physical contact Kat has had in a long time. He introduces his boyfriend, Andre, a kind, older man with a soothing presence. Kat offers condolences, admitting she had no idea Sheila was sick. Garrett reveals that Sheila had been battling cancer for years in secret, which explains why Vancouver was her last chance at the Olympics—and why Kat's final words to Sheila were spoken in anger.

Kat explains how she learned of the service: Heath left a voicemail the night Sheila died. She hadn't checked her phone until the next morning, and the message—both Heath's voice and the news—knocked the wind out of her. Without thinking, she packed a bag and flew to LA.

As they talk, Garrett shares his own story. After Vancouver, he had a car accident—he fell asleep at the wheel and flipped his car over a median. He survived, but the crash convinced him his skating days were over. Now he's studying psychology at Stanford, top of his class, and clearly happier and healthier than Kat has ever seen him.

The ceremony begins with a secular eulogy, followed by stories from Kirk Lockwood and a moving speech from Garrett about admiring his mother and being grateful she got to know the real him and the man he loved. When the minister calls Sheila's daughter, Isabella, to speak, Bella remains seated, crying. Heath, sitting beside her in the front row, puts his arm around her, and she leans into him. The minister tries to move on, but Bella announces she wants to say something.

Key Events

Kat attends Sheila's funeral in Los Angeles, drawing whispers from other mourners.
Garrett Lin greets Kat warmly and introduces his boyfriend, Andre.
Kat learns Sheila had secretly battled cancer for years.
Kat recalls receiving Heath's voicemail about Sheila's death and impulsively flying to LA.
Garrett reveals he quit skating after a serious car accident and now studies psychology at Stanford.
The funeral service includes a secular eulogy, stories from Kirk Lockwood, and Garrett's speech.
Bella is called to speak but remains seated, crying; Heath comforts her.
Bella insists she wants to say something, interrupting the minister's attempt to move on.

Character Development

Kat is in a raw, vulnerable state. She hasn't been touched in what feels like ages, and the funeral forces her to confront the anger and regret that defined her last interaction with Sheila. Her decision to fly to LA on a whim shows a willingness to face the past, even as she avoids Heath's gaze. She sits in the back, scanning the crowd while telling herself she isn't looking for him—a clear sign of unresolved feelings.

Garrett has transformed. Once tense and miserable, he now appears genuinely happy, with a supportive partner and a new academic path. His speech at the funeral reveals a deep admiration for his mother and a sense of peace about being his true self before her death. His accident, which ended his skating career, ironically gave him the freedom to find a different life.

Bella is overwhelmed with grief. She sits alone in the front row, her composure cracking as she cries. Her inability to rise and speak shows the depth of her loss, but her insistence on speaking anyway suggests a need to honor her mother in her own way.

Heath steps into a supportive role, comforting Bella with a gentle arm. His presence beside her—and his earlier voicemail to Kat—shows a capacity for care that contrasts with the distance between him and Kat.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and Loss – The funeral is a collective expression of grief, but each character mourns differently. Kat carries guilt, Garrett celebrates his mother's acceptance, and Bella is paralyzed by sorrow.

Secrets and Isolation – Sheila's secret cancer battle kept even her closest family in the dark. This secrecy echoes the hidden tensions in Kat's own life and the isolation she has felt for years.

Regret and Reconciliation – Kat's last words to Sheila were angry, and she now regrets them. The funeral offers a chance for symbolic reconciliation, even if it's too late for a direct apology.

Moving On – Garrett's new life—school, love, and a career change—shows that moving on is possible, even after devastating loss. Kat's presence at the funeral suggests she may be ready to move forward as well.

Unresolved Relationships – The tension between Kat and Heath is palpable. She watches him from the back, and he doesn't notice her. Their unresolved history hangs over the scene, especially as Heath comforts Bella.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Kat. After years of self-imposed exile, she returns to the world she left behind, forced to confront the people and feelings she's avoided. The funeral serves as a catalyst for potential reconciliation—with Heath, with Bella, and with her own past. Garrett's happiness offers a counterpoint to Kat's stagnation, suggesting that change is possible. Bella's decision to speak, despite her tears, sets up a moment of revelation that could reshape the narrative. The chapter also deepens the mystery of Heath's role: why did he call Kat, and what does his closeness to Bella mean?

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Kat decide to attend Sheila's funeral, and what does her impulsive trip reveal about her state of mind?

Kat attends because Heath's voicemail about Sheila's death shocks her into action. She doesn't cry or think; she simply packs and flies to LA. This impulsiveness shows that she has been suppressing her emotions and that the news breaks through her numbness. Her decision to sit in the back, avoiding Heath, reveals both a desire to be present and a fear of confronting her past.

2. How does Garrett's transformation contrast with Kat's current life?

Garrett has moved on from skating after a life-changing accident. He's now a psychology student at Stanford, in a loving relationship, and appears genuinely happy. Kat, by contrast, has been living a