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Chapter 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in It Ends with Us, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Cycles of Abuse
Naked Truths
Good and Evil
Chosen Family
Summary
Analysis
Lily has counted 53 days since Ryle left her apartment. Since then, she’s devoted all her time, thoughts, and energy into preparing the floral shop for opening. On the morning of their soft opening, Allysa and Lily wait for their first customer. They are both surprised when the first person to walk through the door is Ryle. The space astounds him. He purchases a display of purple lilies. Allysa asks if they’re for a girl, and Ryle confirms that they are—but not one, he says ironically, that he can’t stop thinking about. Allysa doesn’t pick up on his sarcasm or the fact he’s talking about Lily.
Ryle and Lily are able to avoid each other for almost two months before Ryle’s passion gets the better of him once more. A pattern is solidifying; Lily is able to honor their rational agreements despite her feelings, while Ryle’s strong emotions prevent him from thinking about their situation logically.
Themes
Allysa asks Ryle to write a note and give an address to deliver the flowers to. While he’s writing, the three discuss Allysa’s upcoming birthday party on Friday. Allysa wonders aloud if Ryle will bring this girl to the party, and he tells her that he won’t. He asks Lily if she’s going. Her answer is noncommittal. Allysa playfully threatens to quit if she doesn’t come, so Lily agrees she’ll be there. When Ryle pays for his flowers, he tells Lily she’ll have to frame her first dollar. She is angry that it will be from him. Ryle congratulates Lily again before leaving.
Lily, remaining firm in what she wants, tries to keep her distance even when Ryle slyly tempts her and inserts himself into her life. Lily’s friendship with Allysa impacts her resolve, as well. Allysa has continued to become an important part of Lily’s life, and she doesn’t want to compromise their relationship by playing games with her brother—even more so because Allysa is still fully unaware of Ryle and Lily’s history.
Themes
Allysa checks the tag to see who this girl is, because her brother has never been romantic like this before. On the card, she reads aloud what Ryle has written: “make it stop.” On the back of the card, she sees that he has written the address of the floral shop. Allysa thinks that he has made a mistake, but Lily understands that the flowers are for her. She takes them into her office to hold on to while Allysa calls her brother to find out where he really wanted them delivered.
Lily is clear about her desire for a true relationship, but Ryle will neither leave her alone nor give her what she wants. Even in his pursuit of Lily, Ryle’s motivations are selfish. Ryle’s note underscores this; his emotions and desperate need to feel better consume him. He expresses this without considering the difficult position in which his words put Lily, who has to deal with her own complex feelings for him and maintain her calm in front of Allysa.
Themes
