Chapter 39 Summary – Reminders of Him
Spoiler Notice
This summary and analysis of Reminders of Him Chapter 39 contains detailed plot points and emotional climaxes. If you have not yet read the chapter, consider reading it first to preserve the experience.
Summary
Kenna shares her promotion to cashier with Ledger when he picks her up, but he is unusually quiet and won’t meet her eyes. He drives her to her apartment and finally reveals his swollen lip and black eye: Patrick Landry saw his truck at her place that morning and punched him. Kenna realizes the Landrys will never accept her relationship with Ledger. Panicked, she decides to move away—she needs money for a bus ticket and a hotel. Ledger tries to stop her, but she insists that the pain now is better than more agony later. He angrily gives her his credit card and cash, then leaves. Moments later he returns for a desperate kiss and promises to be the best person he can to Diem. After he leaves again, Kenna finds his snow-cone punch card and returns it, pleading with him not to hate the Landrys. She retreats to the bathroom and collapses, devastated.
Key Events
- Ledger picks up Kenna but stays distant; Kenna notices his injuries.
- Ledger reveals Patrick hit him after seeing his truck outside Kenna's apartment.
- Kenna deduces the Landrys forced Ledger to choose between them and her.
- Kenna decides to leave town and asks Ledger for money.
- Ledger gives her his credit card and cash in anger, then storms out.
- He returns, kisses her, and vows to be the best person he can for Diem.
- Kenna returns his snow-cone punch card and begs him not to hate the Landrys.
- She locks herself in the bathroom and collapses in grief.
Character Development
Kenna Rowan
Kenna’s growth here is painful: she finally accepts that the Landrys are unwilling to forgive her, and she makes the mature (though heartbreaking) choice to leave rather than prolong her suffering. Her request for money shows desperation, but also a practical, survival-driven instinct. Her plea for Ledger not to hate the Landrys reveals her fierce love for her daughter—she wants Diem to have a stable home, even if she is not part of it.
Ledger Ward
Ledger is torn between his love for Kenna and his commitment to Diem and the Landrys. His physical injuries symbolize the violence that this conflict has caused. He tries to fight for Kenna but ultimately respects her decision. His promise to be a good father figure for Diem and to speak highly of Kenna shows his unwavering love and sense of responsibility.
Patrick Landry
Though absent from the chapter, Patrick’s violent reaction drives the plot. His punch turns an emotional conflict into a physical one, demonstrating how deep his anger and grief run. He embodies the “unforgiving” path that Kenna had feared.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Rejection and Acceptance
The entire chapter revolves around Kenna being rejected by the Landrys—a rejection that now violently extends to Ledger. Her final acceptance that she will never be forgiven forces her to make a drastic decision.
Sacrifice for Love
Kenna sacrifices her own happiness (and her relationship with Ledger) to ensure that Diem’s life with the Landrys remains stable. Ledger sacrifices his own desires to uphold his promise to care for Diem, even without Kenna.
The Snow-Cone Punch Card
This seemingly trivial object becomes a symbol of small joys and the normal life Kenna and Ledger almost had. Kenna returning it is a poignant detail: she reminds him that even in pain, he is “so close to a free snow cone.” It highlights the bittersweet nature of their relationship—fun and light moments punctuated by tragedy.
The Door Slamming
Ledger’s first exit is marked by a slam; his return is quieter. The two doors represent the oscillation between anger and love, between giving up and trying again. Ultimately, he leaves for good after the second door closes.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 is the emotional turning point of the novel. Kenna’s decision to flee from the town and from her daughter pushes the story toward its final crisis. Ledger’s pledge to be a good guardian for Diem solidifies his role in Diem’s life and sets up the central conflict of the endgame: will Kenna ever be able to return? The chapter also brings the theme of forgiveness to a head—neither Kenna nor the Landrys have found it—and makes the reader question whether reconciliation is possible. The physical violence of Patrick’s punch makes the emotional stakes concrete.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Kenna decide to leave town immediately after learning about the punch?
Kenna already knew the Landrys wanted her gone, but Patrick’s violence shows the depth of their hostility. She realizes that staying will only cause more pain—to Ledger, to Diem, and to herself. Leaving now, though agonizing, seems like the only way to stop the cycle.
2. What dual promise does Ledger make to Kenna?
Ledger vows to be the best person he can be for Diem, and he promises to tell Diem that her mother loved her deeply. This shows his commitment to honoring Kenna’s role while also ensuring Diem has a stable life.
3. Why does Kenna return the snow-cone punch card to Ledger and ask him not to hate the Landrys?
The punch card symbolizes the small, joyful moments they shared. By returning it, Kenna acknowledges that even their simple pleasures are part of a past she cannot keep. Her plea for him not to hate the Landrys reveals her selflessness—she places Diem’s well-being above her own anger and wants Ledger to remain part of Diem’s life without resentment.