Chapter 33 (Book Chapter 32): Mother’s Day Promises

Spoiler Notice

This summary contains spoilers for Reminders of Him up through Chapter 33. If you haven’t read this far, proceed with caution.

Summary

The morning after spending the night together, Ledger watches Kenna sleep with her cat Ivy. Realizing he needs to get home before Diem wakes, he reluctantly leaves. When he arrives, Diem and Grace are already outside. Diem hugs him, and Grace teases him about being out all night. Ledger gives Grace a Mother’s Day bouquet, as he always does. Diem overhears and asks about the holiday, then specifically asks if she should give flowers to “the mother in the small car,” meaning Kenna. Ledger promises Diem that her mother will receive flowers. Later, he visits Kenna’s apartment with flowers and a vase. He gives them to her, and she is moved to tears. Ledger invites Kenna to join him at his new house to work on floors. She accepts, and they stop for snow cones on the way. Before leaving, Lady Diana taunts Ledger, calling him “Ledgerk.” During the drive, Ledger admits he made her something: a playlist of over twenty songs with no sad associations. Kenna is touched and nearly cries, prompting Ledger to feel both proud and worried that such a simple gift affected her so deeply.

Key Events

Ledger wakes up beside Kenna and returns home to find Diem and Grace on the front lawn.
Ledger gives Grace a Mother’s Day bouquet, maintaining his tradition of buying her flowers every year.
Diem asks about Mother’s Day and explicitly mentions her birth mother, Kenna, wanting to know if she should give her flowers.
Ledger promises Diem that Kenna will get flowers, a vow he takes seriously.
Ledger visits Kenna’s apartment with flowers and a vase; Kenna tears up upon receiving them.
Kenna agrees to accompany Ledger to his new house; they load furniture into his truck.
Lady Diana appears, calls Ledger “Ledgerk,” and leaves.
In the truck, Ledger emails Kenna a custom playlist he made that morning.
Kenna is visibly moved by the playlist, fighting tears.

Character Development

Ledger: His internal conflict sharpens. He feels torn between his devotion to Diem and his growing attachment to Kenna. By promising Diem that Kenna will get flowers, he publicly aligns himself with Kenna’s motherhood, even though Patrick and Grace do not yet know. His gift of the playlist shows a willingness to create new, happy memories for Kenna rather than dwelling on the past.
Kenna: Her vulnerability deepens. She is overwhelmed by simple acts of kindness (flowers, a playlist) because she has been starved of recognition as a mother. Her hesitation to join Ledger reflects her fear that he might regret being with her.
Diem: She begins to actively wonder about her biological mother, moving from passive awareness to direct questioning. This marks a critical step in her emotional development.
Grace and Patrick: Though minor appearances, their presence underscores the conflict. Grace’s teasing and Patrick’s silent exchange with Ledger show the unspoken tension around Kenna’s role.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Motherhood and Recognition: The chapter explicitly revolves around Mother’s Day. Flowers and the playlist symbolise acknowledgment of Kenna as a mother, something she has lacked. Diem’s question forces the adults to confront Kenna’s rightful place.
Weight of Grief vs. Weight of Forgiveness: Ledger reflects that “grudges are heavy, but for the people who suffer most, forgiveness is even heavier.” This internalization explains why Patrick and Grace struggle to accept Kenna.
Fear of Regret: Kenna’s hesitation to join Ledger stems from her worry that he will later regret their relationship. This recurrent fear is a motif that blocks her from fully accepting happiness.
Creating New Memories: The playlist is a deliberate attempt to separate Kenna from her tragic past. Ledger curates songs that have no sad associations, symbolizing his desire to build a hopeful future for them.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point because it shifts the narrative from secrecy to public declaration. Ledger’s promise to Diem about Kenna receiving flowers is the first time he has verbally committed to honouring Kenna’s motherhood in front of Patrick’s family. The Mother’s Day setting forces the theme of maternal recognition into the open. Kenna’s emotional response to the simple gifts shows how starved she is for validation, and Ledger’s playlist gift demonstrates his active effort to build a new, positive story for them. The chapter ends with hope that Ledger’s determination will overcome the legal and emotional barriers keeping Kenna from her daughter.

Study Questions and Answers

Question: Why does Ledger hesitate to tell Kenna about Mother’s Day when he first returns home?
Answer: He is focused on getting home before Diem wakes, and the holiday slips his mind. When he remembers while giving Grace flowers, he feels guilty for not acknowledging Kenna’s role as a mother that morning.
Question: What does Diem’s question about giving flowers to “the mother in the small car” reveal about her understanding of her family?
Answer: It shows that Diem is becoming aware of Kenna as her biological mother, even though she has not met her. She is trying to reconcile the adults’ actions with her family tree, a sign that she is starting to piece together the truth.
Question: How does Ledger’s playlist symbolize his approach to Kenna’s grief?
Answer: By making a playlist of songs with no sad associations, Ledger is trying to create new, happy memories that are not contaminated by the past. It represents his active effort to help Kenna move forward and separate her identity from the tragedy of Scotty’s death.