The Night We Met Chapter 17: Chris – 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
The chapter opens with Chris arriving at Larissa’s apartment, his face covered in permanent marker drawings—the result of letting a five-year-old “paint” him with a Sharpie during a vaccine clinic. Larissa and her mother Nancy tease him, but Chris responds with good humor. He brings Larissa a lavender iced matcha, having noticed she can never justify the cost. She accepts it gratefully. Chris learns Larissa received a custom jewelry box from Mike, a gift he hadn’t known about. As they prepare for the cabin weekend, Chris loads her luggage, noting how little he’s seen Mike lately and that Mike hasn’t filled his Prozac prescription. On the road, they make a pit stop; Mike calls Chris, already drinking at 9 a.m., and dismisses Chris’s reminder to clear the cabin of nuts for Larissa’s allergy. At the gas station, Larissa buys snacks and tries to pay—Chris refuses, insisting on covering everything. She gives him beauty oil to remove the Sharpie; he avoids her touch, his heart racing. When he jokes about a quote from Cross Stitch, she reveals she bought him a pristine copy of the book, having traded in her own hardcovers. They arrive at the cabin by 2:00 p.m. Mike greets them aggressively, kissing Larissa roughly and drinking heavily. He pressures Chris into having a margarita. After showing Larissa to her room, Chris checks the pantry and finds that Mike has ignored his request to remove peanut butter and trail mix. Frustrated, Chris throws away all the nut-containing items himself, having also secretly brought an extra EpiPen for Larissa’s safety.
Key Events
- Chris arrives with Sharpie face art from a child at a vaccine clinic; Larissa and Nancy find it hilarious.
- Chris gives Larissa a lavender iced matcha, knowing she loves it but can’t afford it.
- Mike calls while Chris and Larissa are on the road; he is drinking and dismisses the nut-clearing request.
- At a gas station, Larissa buys Twizzlers and an energy drink for Chris; he refuses her money.
- Larissa uses beauty oil to remove the marker, and Chris avoids her touch.
- Larissa gifts Chris a new copy of Cross Stitch with his favorite quote on page 234.
- At the cabin, Mike hugs and kisses Larissa aggressively; he pressures Chris into a drink.
- Chris discovers Mike did not clear the pantry of nuts; he disposes of them himself.
- Chris reveals he brought a second EpiPen for Larissa, bought with his own money.
Character Development
Chris shows increasing protectiveness and thoughtfulness. He not only pays for everything but also anticipates Larissa’s needs (matcha, allergy safety). His avoidance of physical contact reveals his internal struggle and deep feelings. He is quietly observant, noticing Mike’s decline and acting responsibly.
Larissa remains playful and generous—she picks out Chris’s favorite snacks and buys him a book she knows he loves. Her ease with teasing and gratitude shows her growing comfort with Chris, though she is still committed to Mike.
Mike appears in a worrying state: drinking early in the day, neglecting his girlfriend’s safety, and displaying possessive, aggressive affection. His failure to fill his Prozac prescription and his obsession with work for Tony suggest a downward spiral.
Nancy briefly appears as a boundary-pusher, showing Chris Larissa’s room and curtains, reinforcing her matchmaking tendencies.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Care as a love language: Chris’s actions (matcha, gas, snacks, book, EpiPen) speak louder than words. He gives what he knows Larissa needs without expectation.
Vulnerability and trust: Chris allows himself to be marked by a child’s Sharpie, a symbol of his willingness to be silly and vulnerable with others. Larissa reciprocates by sharing her favorite book and quote.
Inequality and generosity: Chris refuses to let Larissa pay for anything, aware of her financial strain. He calls her car “a piece of shit” and insists she relax. This dynamic hints at his desire to protect her without oversimplifying their relationship.
Neglect and danger: Mike’s failure to clear nuts, his drinking, and his aggressive physicality contrast with Chris’s careful planning. The pantry scene underscores who truly prioritizes Larissa’s well-being.
Literary echo: The quote from Cross Stitch (“the kind of love that wars start over”) foreshadows the emotional conflict building between Chris and Mike.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 deepens the emotional triangle and raises stakes for the cabin weekend. Chris’s behind-the-scenes efforts—the extra EpiPen, the book, the nut clean-up—show his commitment far beyond friendship. Mike’s deterioration is now visible not just to the reader but to Chris, who must decide how to act. The chapter solidifies Larissa and Chris’s bond through shared humor, small gifts, and unspoken understanding, while Mike’s reckless behavior poses a physical (allergy) and emotional threat. It sets the stage for inevitable confrontation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Chris refuse to let Larissa pay for anything, even gas? Chris knows Larissa is financially strained; he wants her to relax and enjoy the trip without worry. He also admits he’s “not keeping score” and wants to give her small luxuries like the matcha. His refusal is both generous and a way to express care without overstepping boundaries.
2. How does Mike’s behavior in this chapter foreshadow problems for the weekend? Mike is drinking early in the morning, dismisses Chris’s allergy warnings, and kisses Larissa roughly, ignoring her discomfort. His failure to clean the pantry and his aggressive tone suggest he may not be reliable or safe, raising concerns about his mental health and the stability of his relationship.
3. What does the gift of Cross Stitch reveal about Larissa’s feelings for Chris? Larissa remembers Chris’s favorite quote and trades her own hardcovers to buy him a pristine copy. This thoughtful gesture shows she pays close attention to his interests and wants to share something meaningful. It deepens their connection beyond casual friendship, hinting at mutual emotional investment.