Chapter 27 (Chapter 26) Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This summary and analysis contains spoilers for Reminders of Him, Chapter 27 (Chapter 26). If you have not read this chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Ledger starts his shift at the bar in a foul mood after seeing Kenna leave Roman’s apartment. He feels irritated and jealous, though he tries to convince himself it’s because he wants Kenna to leave town for the sake of Patrick, Grace, and Diem. Roman notices his tension and confronts him, insisting that the meeting was only a three‑minute loan of a table and chairs. Later, after a busy night, the two men argue in the alley. Roman accuses Ledger of being “full of shit” and points out that if Ledger truly wanted Kenna gone, he would simply write her a check. Left alone, Ledger admits to himself that his real motive is not concern for the family but his growing attraction to Kenna. He acknowledges that he hired her because he enjoys being near her, thinks about kissing her again, and secretly hopes Patrick and Grace will change their minds.

Key Events

Ledger arrives at the bar with a sullen, jealous attitude, snapping at a lime while chopping fruit.
Roman gently takes the knife from him and explains that Kenna only borrowed a table and chairs; they were together for three minutes.
Four loud customers enter the bar, cutting short their conversation. Ledger works an eight‑hour shift in a foul mood.
After closing, Ledger and Roman load furniture into Ledger’s truck in the alley.
Roman pushes Ledger to talk. Ledger claims he wants Kenna to leave town to restore normalcy for Patrick, Grace, and Diem.
Roman bluntly calls Ledger a liar, pointing out that he could easily pay Kenna to leave if he truly wanted that.
Ledger silently concedes that Roman is right. He admits to himself that his feelings are not about protecting Diem but about his own desire for Kenna to stay.

Character Development

Ledger undergoes a crucial moment of self‑awareness. Throughout the chapter he is irritable, possessive, and in denial. When Roman forces him to examine his real motives, Ledger finally stops pretending and looks inward. He acknowledges that he does not want Kenna to leave, and that his jealousy stems from attraction, not loyalty to Scotty. This internal confession marks a turning point: Ledger can no longer hide from his evolving feelings.

Roman acts as a clear‑eyed foil. He refuses to buy Ledger’s flimsy justifications and pushes him to be honest. Roman’s loyalty to Ledger is evident—he has no interest in pursuing Kenna—and his directness helps shatter Ledger’s self‑deception.

Kenna does not appear directly in this chapter, but her presence dominates Ledger’s thoughts. She becomes a catalyst for his internal conflict.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Guilt as a mask for desire. Ledger wraps his jealousy in the language of loyalty to Scotty and concern for Diem. The chapter shows how easily guilt can disguise romantic interest.
Denial versus honesty. The entire chapter is built around Ledger’s refusal to admit the truth until Roman corners him. His eventual internal confession mirrors the novel’s broader theme of facing painful truths.
The motif of check‑writing. Roman’s suggestion that Ledger could “write a check” to make Kenna leave highlights the difference between practical solutions and emotional reality. Ledger knows Kenna would not accept money, but more importantly, he does not want her to go.
Physical tension as symbol. Ledger’s aggressive lime‑cutting and stiff movements reflect his inner turmoil. The physicality of his labor becomes an outlet for emotions he cannot verbalize.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the first time Ledger fully recognizes and admits his real feelings for Kenna. Up to now he has used rationalizations about Patrick, Grace, and Diem to justify his actions. The scene with Roman strips away those excuses and forces both Ledger—and the reader—to confront the truth: Ledger is falling for the woman he was supposed to despise. It sets up the central emotional conflict of the second half of the novel: how can Ledger pursue a relationship with Kenna without betraying Scotty’s memory and hurting the family that has taken him in?

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ledger initially claim he wants Kenna to leave town? What is his real reason?

Ledger claims that Kenna’s presence disrupts the lives of Patrick, Grace, and Diem, and that he wants her gone so they can return to normal. In reality, he is jealous of her time with Roman and afraid of his own growing attraction. He realizes he hired her not out of concern but because he enjoys being near her and hopes for a chance with her.

2. How does Roman challenge Ledger’s self‑deception?

Roman refuses to accept Ledger’s justification. He notes that if Ledger truly wanted Kenna out of town, he could simply give her money to leave. Roman points out that Ledger is “building a ridiculous house” and isn’t broke. He also directly accuses Ledger of being jealous, forcing him to see his own dishonesty.

3. What does Ledger’s internal admission at the end reveal about his character arc?

Ledger admits that he thinks about kissing Kenna again and that he wants to be near her if Patrick and Grace change their minds. This shows he is moving from resentment toward acceptance of his feelings. It also signals that his loyalty to Scotty is complicated by a new emotional bond, setting up the moral dilemma that will define the rest of the story.