Chapter summaries This Could Be Us Kennedy Ryan

This Could Be Us Chapter 28: Judah – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Judah shares a dinner with his twin sons Aaron and Adam, who are both on the autism spectrum. Aaron uses a communication device and Adam rocks on a yoga ball to help focus. The boys ask to FaceTime their grandmother (“MawMaw”). During the call, MawMaw expresses concern about Tremaine’s parents’ past lack of understanding regarding autism, though they have improved. The conversation shifts to Judah’s retired father, Belmont Cross, who has discovered a cooking blog by a Puerto Rican woman named Soledad. Judah realizes this is Soledad Barnes, the woman whose husband he investigated for embezzlement. He confesses to his mother that he likes Soledad and hopes to be with her when she is ready. MawMaw is surprised but supportive. Judah explains that Soledad is focused on healing and independence after her divorce, known as “self-partnering.” The call ends with discussion of the boys’ health, particularly Adam’s seizures and potential treatment changes. MawMaw approves of Judah’s interest in Soledad, though nothing is official.

Key Events

  • Aaron and Adam request a FaceTime call with MawMaw during dinner.
  • Judah and his mother discuss Tremaine’s parents’ past struggles with autism acceptance.
  • MawMaw mentions that Judah’s father has been following Soledad’s recipes online.
  • Judah admits to knowing Soledad in real life and reveals his romantic interest in her.
  • Judah explains Soledad’s “self-partnering” journey and his hope for a future relationship when she’s ready.
  • They discuss the boys’ medical care, including Adam’s improved seizure control and a potential new treatment.
  • MawMaw teases Judah about his feelings but expresses approval.

Character Development

Judah shows vulnerability for the first time by openly sharing his feelings for Soledad with his mother. He respects her need for space and autonomy, indicating emotional maturity and patience. His parenting is evident in how he accommodates his sons’ sensory needs (no touching foods, yoga ball, communication device) and manages their medical care with his ex-wife. MawMaw (Judah’s mother) is portrayed as a caring, involved grandmother and retired nurse who stays informed about medical treatments for her grandsons. She also serves as a sounding board for Judah’s personal life, offering wisdom without intrusion. Aaron and Adam are depicted through small but telling behaviors: Aaron’s use of FaceTime and his abrupt departure, Adam’s rocking on a yoga ball, and their mutual love for MawMaw. Soledad is discussed but not present; her character is developed indirectly through Judah’s admiration and his mother’s recognition of her online presence.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Self-partnering and Healing – Judah honors Soledad’s choice to focus on herself after her divorce. The chapter emphasizes that true readiness for a relationship comes from inner wholeness, not just time passing.
  • Autism and Family Support – The chapter illustrates how Judah and Tremaine carefully manage their sons’ needs, from dietary habits to medical treatments, and how past friction with extended family (Tremaine’s parents) still lingers. The contrasting supportive role of MawMaw highlights the importance of understanding.
  • Vulnerability and Disclosure – Judah’s confession to his mother about his feelings for Soledad breaks his usual guardedness. This pattern of opening up may signal deeper emotional growth.
  • Connections Beyond Circumstance – The unlikely link between Soledad’s cooking blog and Judah’s father underscores how lives intertwine unexpectedly, suggesting that fate or chance may play a role in their story.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Judah’s perspective, showing his internal world beyond his role as a father and former investigator. His honest admission to his mother about Soledad moves their potential relationship from subtext to explicit narrative focus. It also humanizes him, revealing his own complexities: balancing co-parenting, supporting neurodivergent children, and navigating romantic hope while respecting boundaries. The chapter reinforces the novel’s theme of second chances and self-discovery, both for Soledad and for Judah.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Judah hesitate to talk to his ex-wife Tremaine about his feelings for Soledad?
    Answer: Judah prefers to bring up the topic himself rather than have his mother (who remains close to Tremaine) relay the information. He also feels that since nothing official is happening, there is little need to discuss it yet.

  2. How does the chapter portray the impact of autism on family relationships?
    Answer: Through Tremaine’s parents’ past resistance to following medical advice and Judah’s protective stance, the chapter shows that autism care requires understanding and flexibility from extended family. MawMaw’s active involvement in medical decisions contrasts with the in-laws’ earlier behavior.

  3. What does Judah mean when he says Soledad is “self-partnering,” and how does he respond to it?
    Answer: Judah explains that Soledad wants to heal and be independent after her divorce, enjoying her own company. He respects her process and hopes that when she is ready, she will be ready for him too—demonstrating patience rather than pressure.

Previous Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Seven: Soledad
Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Nine
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