Chapter summaries Say You'll Remember Me Abby Jimenez

Chapter 28: Samantha – Kitchen Remodel and the Weight of Waiting

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This summary contains details from Chapter 28 of Say You'll Remember Me. If you haven't read that chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens with Samantha’s family gathered around as Grandma tests the new barstools. Grandma approves, signaling the completion of the kitchen remodel. Mom, who has dementia, appears more alert and talkative after a reduction in her medications. The family has learned to recognize early signs of her tantrums, allowing them to prevent blowups. Jeneva expresses relief that the remodel is over, as they had been eating in the yard. Mom’s birthday is the next day, and Xavier is flying in on a red-eye.

Samantha then reflects on the rhythms of her long-distance relationship with Xavier. She feels as though her life is on pause: she postpones movies, outings, and dinners with friends to save experiences for when Xavier visits, and to keep time open for their phone calls. Xavier works extra shifts at an emergency vet clinic on weekends to fund his trips. Their communication windows are tight—only four hours on weekdays, and nearly zero on weekends because of his overnight shifts.

Despite the separation, Samantha falls more in love with him every time they talk. She describes his thoughtfulness: he sent her a dog tag for her keychain with Pooter’s name, flowers for no reason, shelf-stable vanilla creamers (since she has no fridge), cookies, a cat paw wind chime, and custom playlists. She compares him to a crow bringing shiny things. Yet she admits that all she really wants is him.

Key Events

  • Grandma approves the new barstools, finishing the kitchen remodel.
  • Mom’s dementia seems improved after medication adjustment; she is more expressive and engaged.
  • The family celebrates being able to eat at the counter again.
  • Mom’s birthday is tomorrow; Xavier is arriving in the morning.
  • Samantha reflects on her long-distance relationship: waiting, pausing her life, limited communication time.
  • Xavier works extra shifts to afford travel; their talk time is scarce.
  • Samantha lists the thoughtful gifts Xavier has sent (dog tag, flowers, creamers, cookies, wind chime, playlists).
  • Samantha concludes that she wants Xavier’s presence more than any gift.

Character Development

This chapter deepens Samantha’s emotional landscape. She is not just a caretaker for her mother; she is also someone navigating the strain of a long-distance relationship. Her willingness to postpone her own activities for Xavier shows her commitment, but also hints at a potential loss of self. The “life on pause” feeling suggests she may need to find balance. Her observation about Xavier’s gifts—calling him a “crow bringing me shiny things”—reveals her affectionate perception of him, while her final wish (“all I wanted him to bring me was him”) underscores her longing and the core tension in their relationship.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Waiting and Longing: The chapter is suffused with waiting—for Xavier’s calls, his visits, for Mom’s condition to stabilize. Samantha’s sense that her life is “on pause” illustrates the emotional cost of deferred connection.
  • Caregiving and Patience: The family’s careful management of Mom’s dementia (reading early tantrum signs, adjusting meds) mirrors the patience required in Samantha’s romantic relationship.
  • Gifts as Symbols of Love: Xavier’s stream of thoughtful items (dog tag, creamers, wind chime) represent his constant thinking of her, yet they also highlight the physical absence they try to bridge.
  • Home and Belonging: The completed kitchen remodel symbolizes stability and normalcy, a counterpoint to Samantha’s unsettled romantic life.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 28 illustrates the everyday reality of Samantha’s long-distance relationship, grounding the romance in practical difficulties. It also shows a milestone in her mother’s care, providing a temporary reprieve that underscores the ongoing challenge. The contrast between the family’s joy at the remodel and Samantha’s internal waiting emphasizes the multiple layers of her life. This chapter deepens reader empathy for Samantha and sets up the emotional stakes for Xavier’s visit.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does the kitchen remodel serve as a metaphor for the state of Samantha’s family? The remodel brings the family together, creates a fresh, bright space, and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Similarly, the family is adapting to Mom’s dementia—making adjustments (like new barstools and medication changes) to preserve normalcy. The remodel’s completion coincides with Mom having a “good day,” suggesting that small victories in caregiving can feel transformative.

2. Why does Samantha say her life feels “on pause,” and what does that reveal about her relationship with Xavier? She avoids watching movies, going out, or dining with friends because she wants to share those experiences with Xavier and because their limited talk time consumes her evenings. This reveals both her deep commitment and a sacrifice of her own autonomy, hinting at an imbalance that may need addressing.

3. What does the comparison of Xavier to a crow bringing shiny things tell us about Samantha’s view of his gestures? She finds his constant gifts endearing and sees them as evidence that he always thinks of her. However, the simile also carries a hint of accumulation without substance—shiny things can’t replace his presence. The final line makes clear that no object can fill the void of not having him physically near.

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