Chapter 24: A Bucket List and a Lesson in Confidence
⚠️ 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 and Wilder lie on a picnic blanket at camp after their intimate encounter at the lake. They whisper about their experience, aware that Sanders might separate them if caught. Wilder encourages Scottie to list all the things her ex-husband Matt never let her do. Using a notepad from the picnic bag, they write a "Ball and Chain–Free Bucket List" that includes taking a cooking class, going to the movies with full concessions, kissing on a kiss cam, skinny-dipping, watching porn, and paddleboating in Central Park. Later, the campers paint caricatures of each other. Scottie is anxious about her poor drawing, but Wilder has secretly created a flattering portrait. When Chad mocks her painting, Scottie fires back with a witty retort, surprising herself. Wilder praises her newfound confidence, and Scottie feels she is finally becoming her own person.
Key Events
- Bucket List Creation: Wilder prompts Scottie to name experiences Matt denied her. They write a list that includes cooking classes, movies with expensive snacks, a kiss cam moment, skinny-dipping, watching porn, and paddleboating in Central Park.
- Painting Caricatures: The camp activity requires partners to paint each other. Scottie struggles and produces a humorous, exaggerated portrait of Wilder with misshapen features.
- Wilder’s Secret Portrait: Wilder paints a detailed, flattering caricature of Scottie, including her hard nipples. He initially pretends to be bad at painting, then admits he used his talent.
- Confrontation with Chad: Chad approaches and insults Scottie’s painting. She responds by saying it is a portrait of his mother and offers to send it to her, catching everyone off guard.
- Character Growth: Wilder notes that Scottie is finally coming into her own. She feels proud of her quick wit and more confident than before.
Character Development
- Scottie: She moves from passive acceptance of her ex’s limitations to actively dreaming of new experiences. Her quick retort to Chad shows a new assertiveness. She feels "valued" and "seen" with Wilder. The chapter marks a turning point in her self-esteem.
- Wilder: He is playful and encouraging, using humor to help Scottie open up. His genuine interest in her desires and his talent for art reveal a thoughtful, creative side. He contrasts sharply with Matt’s dismissiveness.
- Matt (mentioned): Previously a source of restriction and boredom. His absence allows Scottie to redefine what she wants.
- Chad: Represents the judgmental camp environment. Scottie’s ability to stand up to him signals her growing independence.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Reclaiming Agency: The bucket list symbolizes Scottie taking control of her own happiness after a stifling marriage. Each item is a small rebellion against Matt’s limitations.
- Public Intimacy: The lake encounter and the camp activities blur private and public spaces, reflecting the new, open nature of Scottie and Wilder’s relationship.
- Art and Vulnerability: Painting caricatures exposes Scottie’s insecurities, but Wilder’s honest portrait shows that vulnerability can be met with kindness and admiration.
- Humor as Defense: Scottie’s snappy comeback to Chad demonstrates how humor can protect her new confidence and push back against negativity.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a hinge point for Scottie’s character arc. She moves from reminiscing about past restrictions to actively planning a future without them. The bucket list serves as a concrete list of goals that will likely reappear later in the story. The painting scene deepens the romantic bond between Scottie and Wilder, as he shows he sees her as she truly is—and as she could be. Her confrontation with Chad shows she can stand up for herself, a skill she lacked earlier. The chapter reinforces the theme of self-discovery within a supportive relationship.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What items does Scottie add to her bucket list, and what do they reveal about her marriage to Matt?
The list includes a cooking class, movies with concessions, a kiss cam kiss, skinny-dipping, watching porn, and paddleboating in Central Park. These items show that Matt was unwilling to spend money or time on shared experiences, avoided public affection, and dismissed romance. Each desire was something Matt rejected, highlighting the emotional and physical neglect in their marriage.
2. How does Wilder’s painting of Scottie differ from her painting of him, and what does this suggest about their relationship?
Scottie paints a cartoonish, exaggerated portrait of Wilder with misplaced features, while Wilder paints a flattering, detailed caricature that resembles her closely—even including her hard nipples. This contrast shows that Wilder sees Scottie clearly and wants to honor her beauty, whereas Scottie is still uncertain of her own skills and self-worth. It suggests a relationship built on admiration and mutual vulnerability.
3. What does Scottie’s retort to Chad reveal about her personal growth?
Chad insults her painting; Scottie instantly says it’s a portrait of his mother and offers to send it to her. This quick, witty comeback surprises even herself. It reveals that she is no longer the passive, people-pleasing version of herself. She can now assert herself with humor and confidence, a direct result of Wilder’s encouragement and her own newfound sense of agency.