Chapter 22 Summary – “21” of Reminders of Him

Spoiler Notice: This chapter contains critical plot developments and emotional revelations. If you have not finished the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Kenna watches videos of her daughter Diem and is struck by how much the girl resembles both her and Scotty. The experience reopens her wounds instead of providing closure. That evening, Ledger takes her to a park parking lot to eat burgers, and they talk openly. Kenna asks if Ledger hates her, and he admits his feelings have shifted from strong judgments to pity and sadness. He reveals that in court, she appeared “remorseless,” which devastates Kenna; she explains she was too broken to defend herself. Ledger then asks a pivotal question: “Who would benefit if you were in Diem’s life?” He argues that her presence would stress Patrick and Grace and disrupt Diem’s stable home. Kenna realizes her motives are partly selfish. Desperate but without money to leave, she admits she is stuck. Ledger reluctantly offers her a job in his bar’s kitchen under a fake name (Nicole) so she can earn money to move away. Kenna accepts, promising secrecy. At home, she writes a short letter to Scotty, noting that Diem "laughs like you."

Key Events

Kenna watches videos of Diem and realizes the girl has her hair, eyes, and slender fingers, plus Scotty’s laugh.
She feels the experience reopens her emotional wounds instead of bringing closure.
Ledger and Kenna eat burgers in his truck in a park parking lot.
Kenna asks if Ledger hates her; he describes his shifting opinions: from intrigued to repulsed to sad.
Ledger tells Kenna she appeared “remorseless” in court, which shocks her.
Kenna explains she was severely depressed and unable to speak or write a statement.
Ledger asks the direct question: “Who would benefit?” from her presence in Diem’s life.
Kenna admits she is stuck in town without money or job options.
Ledger offers her work in his bar’s kitchen on Friday and Saturday nights, using the alias “Nicole,” to help her earn enough to leave.
Kenna writes a letter to Scotty describing Diem and apologizing.

Character Development

Kenna: Her internal conflict deepens. She struggles between the selfish desire to be near Diem and the painful realization that her presence may harm the child’s peace. She shows vulnerability and acceptance of her past failures.
Ledger: His complicated feelings toward Kenna evolve from judgment to empathy. He still protects Diem and Patrick/Grace, but he also helps Kenna in a practical way—though his motives are partly to get her out of town.
Patrick and Grace (off-page): Their stance is reinforced through Ledger’s logic, showing they prioritize Diem’s stability above all.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Remorse vs. Brokenness: The chapter explores the difference between appearing remorseless and being too emotionally damaged to express regret. Kenna’s courtroom behavior was misinterpreted.
Selfishness vs. Selflessness: Kenna confronts that her desire to connect with Diem is primarily to fill her own void, not to benefit her daughter.
Sacrifice for a Child’s Well-Being: Ledger and the grandparents act out of a sense of duty to protect Diem’s peaceful life, even if it means excluding Kenna.
The “Who Benefits?” Question: This motif drives the chapter’s moral dilemma—forcing Kenna (and the reader) to weigh the costs of her involvement.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Kenna’s emotional arc. Ledger’s blunt question forces her to examine her true motives, and she begins to accept that leaving might be the most loving choice. The job offer creates a concrete path for her to exit the city, and her letter to Scotty shows she is finding a small, private way to honor her daughter without intrusion. The chapter deepens the novel’s central tension between biological connection and enacted family bonds.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Kenna feel “more sad” after seeing Diem’s videos?
She had hoped the experience would bring closure, but instead it reopens the pain of being separated from her child. Seeing Diem’s happy life highlights what Kenna has missed, making her grief feel more acute.

2. What does Ledger mean when he says Kenna appeared “remorseless” in court?
Ledger explains that Kenna’s silence and inability to write a statement were interpreted by the court and observers as a lack of regret. Kenna later reveals she was actually frozen by grief and trauma, not indifference.

3. Why does Ledger offer Kenna a job, and what does it reveal about his character?
He offers the job primarily to help Kenna earn money so she can leave town quickly—a move that benefits Patrick, Grace, and Diem. The offer reveals that Ledger still has empathy for Kenna despite his conflicted feelings, and that he is willing to act on what he sees as the lesser of two evils.