Chapter 24

Contains spoilers

Overview

Alice returns from her date to find Nan and Charlie high on edibles, surrounded by snacks and listening to loud music. After Alice confronts them, Charlie explains Nan asked him to take her to the cannabis store to help with sleep. Tension turns into intense flirtation between Alice and Charlie, but at the brink of escalating, Charlie pulls back and insists they should stay friends, leaving Alice confused and aroused.

Summary

Alice arrives at the cottage to a chaotic scene: open junk food everywhere, Rod Stewart blaring, and Nan and Charlie drinking scotch. She notices a cannabis symbol on Nan’s chocolate bar and realizes they are high. Alice angrily challenges Charlie for getting Nan high in her absence, while Nan, giggly but firm, defends the decision.

Charlie explains that Nan asked him to take her to the cannabis store after choir to try something for her sleep issues. He emphasizes it was a low dose and legal. Nan says she did not tell Alice because she did not want to be treated with kid gloves, which stings Alice, who believed she was being helpful.

As Nan heads to bed, Charlie tries to calm Alice and takes responsibility for the junk food. Alice notices he is dressed up and needles him about it. Charlie’s attention shifts to Alice’s appearance and Harrison’s hoodie, hinting at jealousy, and he asks about the date. Alice says it was nice and that she and Harrison have much in common.

Charlie, tense, quietly asks if Alice completed an item on her list. In a charged moment, Alice removes the hoodie and admits “not with him,” moving close to Charlie. They kiss and physically escalate, with Charlie lifting Alice and both reacting intensely to the encounter.

Alice admits she likes Charlie even though she is mad at him. Charlie says he likes her too but then puts her down and stops, saying they should not continue. When Alice suggests moving to the boathouse, Charlie refuses and insists it is best if they stay friends, despite obvious physical attraction.

Confused and embarrassed, Alice questions him, but Charlie gives no further explanation. He ends the night by calling her “Trouble” and leaving, promising to see her tomorrow.

Who Appears

  • Alice
    narrator; returns from a date, confronts Nan and Charlie about edibles, initiates an intimate moment with Charlie, then is rebuffed when he says they should remain friends.
  • Nan (Alice’s grandmother)
    tries a low-dose cannabis edible for sleep; is playful and defiant, asserts independence, then goes to bed.
  • Charlie Florek
    neighbor/friend; takes Nan to a cannabis store at her request, shares snacks and music, nearly hooks up with Alice but stops, saying they should stay friends, and leaves.
  • Harrison
    mentioned; Alice returns wearing his hoodie and says the date was nice, but she did not become intimate with him.
© 2025 SparknotesAI