Chapter 17 (16) Summary: Building a Swing Set, Unveiling Grief
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains spoilers for Chapter 17 of Reminders of Him. Proceed only if you have read the chapter.
Summary
Ledger and Patrick spend the day assembling a swing set in Ledger’s backyard, a birthday gift for Diem. They avoid the topic of Kenna until Patrick finally brings it up. He reveals that their lawyer confirmed Kenna has no legal standing to take Diem, but Grace worries Kenna might attempt to kidnap Diem. Ledger defends Kenna, saying she wouldn’t do that, but Patrick insists they don’t truly know her. Ledger feels a tug‑of‑war between loyalty to Scotty’s parents and a growing empathy for Kenna. Patrick makes it clear: he wants Kenna gone from their town and their lives, because she killed his son and cannot be forgiven.
To lighten the mood, Ledger shares memories of Scotty on that same jungle gym—their first cigarette, first beer, and a funny story about a pigeon that had them laughing for years. The recollection comforts Patrick but also makes him cry. Ledger leaves him alone, then wonders whether Kenna weeps for her lost daughter the way Patrick weeps for Scotty.
Key Events
- Ledger and Patrick begin building a swing set for Diem’s upcoming birthday party.
- Patrick admits the lawyer said Kenna has no legal claim, yet Grace fears an impulsive act of desperation.
- Ledger voices cautious curiosity about Kenna’s intentions, but Patrick firmly shuts down any discussion.
- Patrick states that Kenna killed Scotty and that she cannot be integrated into their lives without hurting Grace.
- Ledger pivots to memories of Scotty and their teenage adventures on the same jungle gym.
- Patrick shares his fear that he was never the father Scotty could be proud of.
- Ledger reassures Patrick by recounting Scotty’s wish to be unnoticeable like his father.
- Patrick laughs, cries, and then asks for solitude.
- Alone, Ledger reflects on whether Kenna grieves as deeply as Patrick does.
Character Development
Ledger: His internal conflict intensifies. Earlier chapters showed his resentment toward Kenna, but now he admits his hatred is transforming into empathy. He wrestles with the possibility that Patrick and Grace might soften if they gave Kenna a chance. Yet he also understands Patrick’s pain and feels guilty for even suggesting compromise. This chapter reveals Ledger’s deep loyalty to Scotty’s memory and his growing moral uncertainty.
Patrick: For the first time, Patrick shows vulnerability beyond anger. He doubts his own worth as a father and breaks down when Ledger shares Scotty’s words of admiration. Despite his stubborn refusal to consider Kenna’s perspective, his grief is raw and human. The chapter complicates his earlier one‑dimensional opposition.
Kenna (implied): Though absent from the scene, Ledger’s final thoughts invite readers to imagine Kenna’s grief, suggesting a parallel between her loss and Patrick’s. This subtle character moment keeps her humanity in focus.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief’s non‑linear nature: Patrick laughs at a memory and then weeps, showing that healing oscillates between joy and sorrow. Ledger’s question about Kenna’s grief underscores that loss can take many forms.
Loyalty vs. empathy: Ledger’s “whiplash of loyalty” captures the central tension. He is torn between supporting the family he loves and recognising the woman who may have been wronged.
The jungle gym as memory vessel: The swing set was once a jungle gym where Scotty and Ledger shared formative experiences. Now it is being rebuilt for Diem, linking past, present, and future. The structure symbolises how childhood spaces carry memories both joyful and painful.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the central conflict by humanising Patrick and forcing Ledger to confront his shifting feelings. It moves beyond the simple “good vs. evil” dynamic and shows two people bound by love for Scotty yet opposing each other. The shared memory of the pigeon story reminds the reader that Scotty was a real, joyful person, not just a tragic statistic. Finally, Ledger’s closing reflection plants the seeds for his eventual choice to help Kenna, even if he hasn’t made it yet.
Study Questions and Answers
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What change does Ledger notice in his own feelings toward Kenna, and why does it trouble him?
Ledger admits his hatred is shifting into empathy. He feels guilty about this because it conflicts with his loyalty to Patrick and Grace, who have suffered the most. He doesn’t want to invalidate their pain, yet he can’t ignore his growing sense that Kenna might be deserving of compassion. -
How does Patrick respond when Ledger suggests that Scotty might have wanted things differently?
Patrick flatly rejects the idea. He says that Kenna killed their son and they cannot forgive her, and he insists she must leave town for everyone’s safety. His response shows that pain has hardened him against any possibility of reconciliation. -
What purpose does the memory of the pigeon serve in the chapter?
The silly memory lightens an otherwise heavy conversation and gives Patrick a moment of genuine laughter. It also humanises Scotty, reminding readers (and Patrick) that Scotty was alive, playful, and full of inside jokes. The laugh‑then‑cry sequence illustrates how grief can strike without warning.