The Night We Met Chapter 9: Larissa – Walk Through the Woods
⚠️ 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
Larissa waits at the park parking lot for Mike, who is supposed to join her, Chris, and Jesse for a walk. Mike is fifteen minutes late and not answering his phone. Jesse cancels with a flat tire. Mike finally calls, claiming a migraine, and tells Larissa to walk without him. Reluctantly, she agrees to go with Chris. They take the loop trail Mike recommended. During the walk, Chris and Larissa talk about Woofarine’s antics, Larissa’s many side jobs (pet-sitting an emotional-support pig, mystery shopping, making snackle boxes), and her dissatisfaction with waitressing. Chris reveals he considered becoming a doctor but chose pharmacy because he prefers the science side. Larissa enjoys the quiet companionship, a contrast to Mike’s need for constant conversation. By the end, she is glad she came.
Key Events
- Mike fails to show up for the planned walk and calls to say he has a migraine.
- Jesse cancels via text with a flat tire.
- Larissa and Chris decide to walk the loop trail alone.
- Chris admits he will keep Woofarine, and they joke about dog-care violations.
- Larissa describes her unconventional side gigs: pet-sitting a pig, mystery shopping, and selling snackle boxes.
- Chris encourages her to consider her snackle box business full-time.
- Larissa confesses she is tired of waitressing and waiting for a career that “speaks to” her.
- They share a comfortable silence, unlike the constant energy Mike requires.
- Larissa reflects that she is glad she chose the walk over babysitting.
Character Development
Larissa shows her resourcefulness and burnout. Her list of side hustles reveals a woman working tirelessly to stay afloat, yet she feels stuck. The walk with Chris allows her to be vulnerable about her dream of leaving waitressing. She also notices a difference in communication style: Chris’s silence feels restful, not awkward.
Chris comes across as grounded and unpretentious. He wears a fanny pack without caring about image, readily picks up Woofarine’s poop, and listens without judgment. His comment about her snackle box business suggests he sees potential in her that she doesn’t see in herself.
Mike (absent) is defined by his excuse—a convenient migraine that keeps him away. His absence creates space for Larissa and Chris to connect.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Unseen Work
Larissa’s side jobs (mystery shopping, pet-sitting a pig, snackle boxes) highlight the invisible labor many people do to make ends meet. The snackle box business, though seasonal, hints at a creative outlet she undervalues.
Companionship vs. Performance
Mike needs to perform (jokes, stories); Chris is comfortable with quiet. The walk becomes a metaphor for relationship ease: Larissa doesn’t have to fill every moment.
Nature as Respite
The spring park, blooming pear trees, and peaceful trail contrast with Larissa’s hectic work life. She almost skipped it for babysitting income, but the natural setting offers a rare pause.
The Fanny Pack (Symbol)
Chris’s fanny pack and water bottle holster represent his indifference to fashion. Larissa likes it, noting Mike would never wear such a thing. It signals a different kind of masculinity—practical over image-conscious.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 9 deepens Larissa’s inner conflict and her subtle drift toward Chris. Mike’s repeated absence (migraine) feels like an excuse, while Chris shows up, listens, and supports. The conversation about work and purpose reveals Larissa’s stagnation, and Chris’s encouragement plants a seed. The chapter also establishes the emotional-support pig and snackle boxes as motifs that may reappear, and it sets the stage for a possible romantic shift.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Larissa decide to go on the walk even after Mike cancels?
She has already turned down babysitting income to be there, and she doesn’t want to waste the trip. She also admits she wants to see the park, a rare chance to enjoy nature.
2. What does Chris’s reaction to Larissa’s snackle box business reveal about his character?
He is genuinely impressed by her four thousand followers and tells her she could do it full-time. Unlike others who might dismiss her side hustles, he validates her entrepreneurial effort and sees potential.
3. How does the chapter contrast Mike and Chris’s communication styles?
Mike fills silences with stories and jokes; Chris is comfortable with quiet. Larissa notes that hanging out with Chris takes “so little energy,” implying that Mike’s constant performance can be exhausting.