Chapter 23 (Chapter 22) – Burying a Grudge: Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Della, frail from terminal cancer, invites Ricki and Ezra to her home. She reveals her diagnosis and explains she is at peace, having been visited in dreams by her late husband. Ezra gives Della an old photograph of Felice and admits he did not love her but only made her think so to feel needed. Della finally believes their story about the curse. Later, she writes a forgiveness note to Felice on Ricki’s plantable seed cards, digs a hole in the garden beside Wilde Things, and buries the note—symbolically burying her grudge. The act brings Della peace as she accepts her own mortality and reconciles with her mother’s memory.

Key Events

Della, in palliative care, listens to a podcast about global death rites while waiting for Ricki and Ezra.
She reveals she has terminal cancer and expects this to be her final battle.
Della describes receiving comfort from dreams of deceased loved ones, including her husband Dr. Bennett.
Ezra gives Della a faded photograph of Felice, explaining he bought it to protect her.
He confesses he did not love Felice but capitalized on her need for a family; Della forgives him.
Della declares she believes the curse story, but is horrified that Ricki may have only days left.
After Ricki and Ezra leave, Della writes a note to Felice (“I understand. And I love you.”) on plantable paper.
With help from nurse Naaz, Della digs a hole in the garden and buries the note, symbolically releasing her lifelong grudge.

Character Development

Della: Transforms from skeptical, withholding grandmother into a figure of radical forgiveness. She confronts her own mortality with courage, admits she carried a hatred for Felice, and chooses reconciliation even on her deathbed.
Ezra: Shows vulnerability and remorse, admitting his past selfishness with Felice. His honesty earns Della’s trust and reveals his genuine love for Ricki.
Ricki: Remains a source of emotional gravity; her relief at Della’s acceptance underscores her desperation to have her truth believed.
Naaz: Provides gentle comic relief (crying over Ezra’s declaration) and practical support for Della.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Burying a Grudge: The title act—the literal burial of a forgiveness note—represents releasing inherited pain. Della crosses “Bury a grudge” off her bucket list.
Death Rites and Transition: The podcast about global death traditions mirrors Della’s own journey. Dreams of departed loved ones serve as a motif for peaceful transition.
Plantable Paper / Wildflowers: Ricki’s seed cards symbolize growth from forgiveness. Della’s note is meant to sprout wildflowers, turning grief into lasting beauty.
Legacy of Felice: The faded photograph captures Felice’s vulnerability. Della sees her mother not as a villain but as a “doomed girl” who lacked support.
Sacrifice vs. Acceptance: Della implicitly rejects the idea that another sacrifice can break the curse, choosing instead to trust that Ricki and Ezra will “fix anything.”

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter unites the novel’s two timelines: Della’s present-day confrontation with death and the unresolved history of Felice. Della’s forgiveness breaks the family’s cycle of bitterness and allows Ricki to move forward. It also sets up the final stakes: Della has made peace, but Ricki’s curse remains unbroken, leaving readers anxious for the resolution.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Della initially reject Ricki’s story about Ezra and the curse?
Della believes the tale is “delirium” and fears Ricki has fallen for an unhinged man. She also admits she doesn’t want to believe it because it sounds like the truth—it would mean her mother’s reputation was accurate and that she carried a justified grudge for decades.
What changes Della’s mind about Ezra?
Ezra presents a physical photograph of Felice, which Della recognizes. More importantly, he honestly admits he didn’t love Felice but made her think so because he “liked feeling needed.” This vulnerability, plus his declaration of love for Ricki, earns Della’s belief.
What does the act of burying the note symbolize for Della?
It is the final item on her bucket list—Bury a grudge. By writing “I understand. And I love you” on plantable paper and burying it in the garden, Della releases decades of anger toward Felice. She hopes the paper will grow wildflowers, transforming her forgiveness into a permanent, living tribute.