Chapter 13 (Chapter 12): Therapy Session Chaos

⚠️ 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

Scottie wakes up after a sleepless night, anxious about the sexual atmosphere at camp and her own insecurities. Breakfast is delivered, and she and Wilder banter about sharing the bed. They head to Sanders's office for their first real therapy session. Wilder immediately breaks their agreed-upon script by admitting they are not fine. He and Scottie then launch into a sprawling, improvised argument covering pierced nipples, Velcro socks, Tupperware lids, pads with wings, and a running gag about the word "bologna." Sanders is overwhelmed and sends them back to their cabin. Wilder is exhilarated, but Scottie realizes all her complaints actually came from her failed marriage to Matt. Horrified, she leaves to walk alone.

Key Events

Scottie lies awake worrying about the camp's sexual atmosphere and her own lack of confidence.
She reflects on her ex-husband Matt, who never showed desire for her and made her feel ashamed of her sexual needs.
Breakfast is delivered; Wilder jokes about their "friendship" after sharing a bed.
Before entering Sanders's cabin, Scottie warns Wilder to stick to their script about a strained marriage.
Wilder immediately contradicts her by telling Sanders that everything is not great.
Sanders reveals that the red square cabin was chosen based on their application where Wilder marked "thriving" and "adventurous."
Scottie is furious; Wilder admits he filled the application to "inspire" them.
The couple spirals into a fake argument about pierced nipples, with Wilder claiming Scottie once had a penis mold and she counters with a breast pillow.
They escalate with absurd grievances: stepping on Velcro, lost Tupperware lids, pads vs. buffalo wings.
Wilder yells "bologna" repeatedly, triggering a Beetlejuice-like panic.
Sanders becomes visibly frazzled and dismisses them, saying he needs to process.
Back in the cabin, Wilder is thrilled by the improvisation, but Scottie realizes all her complaints were actually about Matt.
She abruptly leaves for a walk, shaken by the revelation.

Character Development

Scottie: This chapter reveals the depth of her insecurity stemming from her marriage to Matt. She initially tries to control the narrative with Wilder but is swept into the improvisation. Her realization that she regurgitated old wounds marks a turning point: she must confront her past before she can move forward with Wilder.
Wilder: He thrives on spontaneity and conflict, treating the therapy session as a thrilling game. His comments about Scottie's sexual past seem designed to provoke, but also show he is comfortable with sexuality. His enthusiasm contrasts sharply with Scottie's distress, highlighting their different coping mechanisms.
Sanders: The therapist is caught off guard. His usual props (baseball, later a hockey stick) appear, but he cannot control the session. He becomes disheveled and needs a break, showing that even an unconventional therapist can be overwhelmed by true emotional chaos.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Improv as Mask vs. Truth: Wilder uses improv to avoid genuine emotion; Scottie accidentally reveals her true pain through the same medium. The line between performance and reality blurs.
The Red Square Cabin: Symbolizes the false persona they projected—"thriving" and "adventurous"—versus Scottie's actual fearful, inexperienced self.
Sexual Insecurity and Shame: Scottie's memories of Matt's indifference and her own embarrassment about her body and desires drive her discomfort with the camp's theme. This contrasts with Wilder's apparent ease.
Repetition of Past Wounds: Scottie unknowingly reenacts fights from her failed marriage, showing how unresolved trauma can leak into new situations.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a crucible for Scottie’s character arc. Her spontaneous outpouring of grievances forces her to recognize that she has not healed from her previous relationship. The chaotic therapy session also tests the fake marriage with Wilder, revealing that they can improvise together but that their goals are mismatched: Wilder seeks fun, Scottie seeks genuine repair. The cliffhanger of her fleeing sets up the emotional work to come.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Scottie become upset after the therapy session, even though Wilder thinks it went well?
- Scottie realizes that every complaint she voiced during the improvisation—from laziness to lack of interest in her hobbies—was actually about her ex-husband Matt, not about her fake marriage with Wilder. This revelation forces her to confront her unresolved pain.
How does Wilder’s approach to the fake marriage differ from Scottie’s?
- Wilder treats the entire situation as an adventure and a chance for improvisation. He enjoys the conflict and sees it as a game. Scottie, in contrast, wants to maintain control, stick to a script, and avoid emotional exposure.
What does Sanders’s reaction reveal about the effectiveness of his unconventional therapy methods?
- When Sanders becomes overwhelmed and sends them away, it shows that his usual sports-themed props and casual demeanor cannot contain the raw, real emotions that Scottie and Wilder inadvertently unleash. The session becomes too authentic for his scripted approach.