Chapter 10 Summary: Plot, Themes, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with the family—Meddy, Ma, Fourth Aunt, and Big Aunt—crammed into the back seat of Big Aunt's car, driving in tense silence to the bakery. The ten-minute walk from their homes feels interminable, and the air inside the car is thick and suffocating. When they arrive, they park behind the bakery, and the night is eerily quiet, as if the whole world is asleep and this awful moment belongs only to them. Meddy is grateful for her family's presence as they heave Jake's body out of the trunk and carry him through the back door into the bakery's kitchen.

Once inside, Big Aunt locks the door and turns on the bright lights. Ma immediately worries that someone will see, but Big Aunt reassures her that there are no windows in the back. They set Jake down carefully, away from the flour, and then Big Aunt opens the industrial refrigerator. Inside, they are all stunned by the sight of an eight-tier wedding cake—a towering work of art with buttercream layers in shades of dusk pink and gray, adorned with delicate sugar-paste flowers. Meddy and Fourth Aunt praise it, and even Big Aunt, who usually dismisses compliments, shows a tiny smile. Second Aunt, however, grunts that it's not bad, which wipes the smile away.

The conversation quickly turns to logistics. There's no room in the fridge for the body, and Second Aunt suggests moving the cake out, claiming it's fondant and can survive outside. Big Aunt corrects her, proudly explaining it's buttercream, and the bride specifically requested no fondant. Meddy cuts off what could be a long speech and proposes putting the body in one of the large coolers until morning, then transferring it to the fridge once the cake is moved. Big Aunt agrees, noting that her assistant Xiaoling and a mover will arrive at 7:30 to take the cake, and they can move the body afterward. Meddy cringes at the thought of Xiaoling being near the body, and Big Aunt sighs about the unhygienic situation.

Meddy feels a crushing wave of guilt for causing so much trouble and offers to buy a new fridge or pay for professional cleaning. Big Aunt dismisses her apology, telling her not to be silly. They slide out the largest cooler, which is big enough for Jake if they fold his legs. After several attempts, some arguing, and a few curse words, they manage to get Jake inside. They remove his shoes, fold his limbs, cover him with blankets, and then pile baking supplies on top so the cooler looks like it's filled with flour and confectioners' sugar. Big Aunt writes a Post-it note that says “CAN NOT OPEN” and sticks it on top. Second Aunt warns that such a note will only make people curious, and she adds her own note: “BAKING SUPPLYS, NO OPEN, HAVE TO BE COLD.” Meddy thanks everyone in Indonesian, and Big Aunt gives her a rare hug, calling her “sayang.”

They push the cooler back next to the others and pile sacks of flour on top, making it look completely innocent. Big Aunt announces they'll return at 7:45 the next morning, after Xiaoling and the mover have left, to transfer the body into the fridge. She mutters that she must bring a lock. Everyone is exhausted, and Big Aunt drives them home. Meddy manages to take a scalding shower and collapses into bed. Only then does she realize they forgot to search for Jake's cell phone. She makes a mental note to retrieve it when they move the body, and her last thought before falling asleep is that nothing could be worse than tonight—the worst is over.

Key Events

The family drives in tense silence to Big Aunt's bakery and carries Jake's body through the back door.
They discover Big Aunt's eight-tier wedding cake in the industrial refrigerator and are awed by its beauty.
They argue about whether the cake can be moved, but decide to keep it and use a large cooler for the body instead.
They fold Jake's limbs, remove his shoes, cover him with blankets, and stack baking supplies on top of him.
Big Aunt and Second Aunt label the cooler with warning notes, and they cover it with flour sacks.
Big Aunt plans to return at 7:45 the next morning to move the body into the fridge after the cake is delivered.
Meddy showers and collapses into bed, then realizes they forgot to search for Jake's cell phone.

Character Development

Meddy is overwhelmed by guilt throughout the chapter. She repeatedly apologizes for the trouble she's caused and offers to buy a new fridge or pay for cleaning. Her gratitude toward her family is palpable, especially when she thanks them in Indonesian and hugs Big Aunt—a rare gesture in their family. This moment shows her vulnerability and her deep appreciation for the aunts' willingness to help, even in a horrifying situation.

Big Aunt emerges as a practical leader. She takes charge of the logistics, insists on protecting her cake, and dismisses Meddy's apologies with gruff affection. Her pride in her work is evident when she corrects Second Aunt about the buttercream, and her rare hug reveals a softer side beneath her traditional, no-nonsense exterior.

Second Aunt provides a skeptical counterpoint. She questions Big Aunt's labeling strategy and adds her own more explicit note, showing her pragmatic, slightly cynical nature. Yet even she agrees with the plan without snarking, indicating the family's shared exhaustion and unity.

The chapter also highlights the family's collective solidarity. Despite the absurd and macabre situation, they work together efficiently, arguing and cursing but ultimately functioning as a team. Meddy's observation that she's grateful for her family underscores the central role of familial bonds in the story.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Concealment and Evidence Management – The entire chapter revolves around hiding a body. The family's careful actions—folding limbs, removing shoes, covering with blankets, and stacking supplies—demonstrate a methodical approach to covering up a crime. The labeling of the cooler and the plan to transfer the body later show an ongoing effort to manage evidence, including the forgotten cell phone, which becomes a loose end.

Family Solidarity in Crisis – The family's willingness to help Meddy without hesitation, despite the danger and absurdity, is a central theme. They argue and bicker, but they never consider abandoning her. The hug between Meddy and Big Aunt symbolizes this bond.

Beauty Versus Horror – The wedding cake is a stunning work of art, described in loving detail, while a dead body lies in a cooler nearby. This contrast highlights the surreal nature of the situation—beauty and horror coexisting in the same space. The cake represents normalcy, celebration, and life, while the body represents death and guilt.

Mundane Disguising the Macabre – The family uses everyday objects—blankets, flour sacks, baking supplies—to disguise the body. The cooler looks innocent, filled with what appears to be baking ingredients. This motif emphasizes how ordinary things can hide terrible secrets.

Guilt and False Relief – Meddy's guilt is a constant presence, and her final thought that “the worst is over” is a false sense of relief. The forgotten cell phone hints that complications are ahead, undermining her hope.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it establishes the plan for dealing with Jake's body and sets up the immediate next steps. It also deepens the reader's understanding of the family dynamics, showing how the aunts and Ma rally around Meddy in a crisis. The introduction of the wedding cake as a symbol of beauty and normalcy contrasts sharply with the horror of the situation, adding thematic richness. The forgotten cell phone creates a lingering thread that will likely cause problems later, reminding readers that the cover-up is far from over. The chapter also humanizes the characters through their exhaustion, guilt, and small moments of tenderness, making the absurd premise feel grounded and emotionally resonant.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does the family decide to keep the wedding cake in the refrigerator instead of moving it out to make room for the body?

The cake is made of buttercream, not fondant, and Big Aunt insists it will spoil if left outside the refrigerator. She is proud of her work and unwilling to risk ruining it, especially since the bride specifically requested buttercream. Meddy suggests using a cooler for the body instead, which allows them to preserve the cake and temporarily hide the body.

2. What does the interaction between Big Aunt and Second Aunt over the Post-it notes reveal about their personalities?

Big Aunt writes a simple note saying “CAN NOT OPEN,” while Second Aunt warns that such a note will invite curiosity and adds a more explicit note about baking supplies needing to stay cold. This shows Big Aunt's straightforward, trusting nature and Second Aunt's more cynical, practical approach. Their brief argument highlights their differing perspectives but also their ability to work together despite their bickering.

3. Why is Meddy's realization about Jake's cell phone significant at the end of the chapter?

Meddy realizes they forgot to search for Jake's phone, which could contain incriminating evidence. This detail creates suspense and undermines her belief that the worst is over. It suggests that the cover-up is incomplete and that future complications are likely, keeping the reader engaged and anticipating what will happen next.