The Guncle

After Clara’s arrival, the party breaks up, and the guests disperse. They leave the cleanup until tomorrow, and Patrick agrees to leave the Christmas tree up. When Clara is in the bathroom unsure how to flush the sophisticated toilet, Maisie activates it via remote control to the startled shrieks of their aunt.

After Clara and the kids go to sleep, Emory finds Patrick relaxing by the pool. They flirt, and Patrick wonders where this might lead. Emory strips off his clothes and asks Patrick to join him for a swim. Patrick says yes. 

The next day, Patrick and Clara discuss parenting and their own mother. When Clara suggests, “You should have her come out” (153), Patrick refuses. In turn, he asks Clara why she came, but she avoids the question.

Since the tree is up, they decide to celebrate an early Christmas, but when Clara suggests sharing what they’re grateful for, Patrick gets angry: “They just lost their mother […] We’ve been getting comfortable in our unhappiness, with the fact that life is often unpleasant, and we don’t need to pretend otherwise” (155). Still, as Clara scolds Patrick for his parenting transgressions, he acknowledges that her experience comes in handy sometimes.