Chapter 17 Summary: Sloan

⚠️ 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

After parting ways with Carter, Sloan takes half an hour to compose herself before gathering her things and walking home. She stops at the edge of the driveway, staring at the ground and imagining how easy it would be to keep walking away forever. She acknowledges that nothing in the house matters to her except her brother, who depends on Asa’s financial support. She resolves to continue saving money until she can take her brother and leave. Reluctantly, she steps onto the grass and heads inside. She prepares a snack and drink to take to her room in an attempt to avoid the noise and commotion of the house. As she opens the refrigerator, she notices a handwritten message on the dry-erase board. The poetic words describe worries flowing from lips like random words from fingertips and the desire to catch them all. She recognizes the handwriting as part of an ongoing game and smiles at the intentional thought behind the message. She erases the words but commits them to memory, then picks up the marker to write a reply.

Key Events

Sloan waits at the edge of her driveway, contemplating leaving forever.
She mentally reviews her obligations: her brother depends on Asa’s financial support, and she feels she cannot leave yet.
She enters the house, planning to retreat to her room with food and drink.
While getting ice, she notices a poetic message on the dry-erase board.
She recognizes the handwriting and interprets the message as part of a game between her and Asa.
She smiles, erases the message, and prepares to respond with the marker.

Character Development

Sloan: This chapter highlights Sloan’s internal conflict between self-preservation and responsibility. She longs for freedom and romantic affection from Carter, yet feels indebted to Asa for supporting her brother. Her guilt is palpable: she acknowledges Asa’s faithfulness and provision while wishing for something more. The dry-erase board scene shows that despite her resentment, she still engages in private rituals with Asa, complicating her emotional landscape.
Asa: Although absent from the scene, Asa’s character is developed through the message he left on the dry-erase board. The poetic, thoughtful wording contrasts with his otherwise controlling behavior, revealing a vulnerable or romantic side that Sloan still responds to.
Carter: Though not physically present, Carter remains an emotional anchor for Sloan. His gentle kiss and respectful treatment at the park earlier have awakened desires she cannot easily dismiss.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Entrapment vs. Freedom: Sloan’s hesitation at the driveway symbolizes the threshold between a life of obligation and the unknown. The “dark driveway” represents uncertainty, while the house signifies her trapped existence.
Guilt: Sloan feels guilty for wanting more from Carter while acknowledging Asa’s financial sacrifices for her brother. Her internal debate mirrors the broader theme of moral compromise.
Communication through Writing: The dry-erase board serves as a private, coded channel between Sloan and Asa. The poetic message contrasts with their ordinary interactions and underscores the complexity of their relationship.
Catching Worries: The metaphor in Asa’s message (“reach out and try to catch them”) suggests a desire to protect Sloan from her anxieties, yet it also implies control over her emotions.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 deepens Sloan’s emotional turmoil and sets the stage for escalating tension. It crystallizes her three-way pull between security with Asa, freedom with Carter, and responsibility for her brother. The dry-erase board exchange hints at a more intimate side of her relationship with Asa, complicating the reader’s sympathy and making Sloan’s eventual choice harder to predict. This chapter also reinforces the importance of small, quiet rebellions—erasing and rewriting a message—in a life where Sloan has little agency.

Study Questions and Answers

What prevents Sloan from leaving home immediately after her encounter with Carter?
Answer: She feels responsible for her brother, who depends on Asa’s financial support. Sloan does not have enough money saved yet to support both of them alone, so she stays out of obligation.
What does Sloan see on the dry-erase board, and how does she react?
Answer: She sees a poetic handwritten message about catching worries like words from fingertips. She recognizes it as part of a game with Asa, smiles, erases it, and prepares to write a reply.
Why does Sloan feel guilty about her feelings for Carter?
Answer: She acknowledges that Asa is faithful to her, provides for her, and supports her brother financially. Wanting more from Carter feels like a betrayal of that commitment, even though she craves respectful affection.