Summary

In Chapter 28, Paige asked Mr. Eckhardt to tell her “the story” while they prepped for the tomato sauce (219). Mr. Eckhardt finally admitted that the box contained his wife’s wedding dress. Paige asked what happened to their relationship. She touched his shoulder, promising not to be judgmental. He declared her “a very judgmental person” (220). She defended herself but internally questioned if she were wrong.

Mr. Eckhardt admitted that his wife once lived in Paige’s house when they were first separated. When his wife wanted to move back in with him, Mr. Eckhardt disagreed. His wife moved away without any explanation. Mrs. Eckhardt left her wedding dress and earrings behind in her empty house, prompting Mr. Eckhardt to bury them.

Mr. Eckhardt claimed that his wife never loved him before admitting: “I don’t know how to heal” (224). Paige told him to retrieve...