The Guncle

Spurred by his book on handling grief, Patrick broaches the subject of Sara: “I was wondering if either of you were missing your mom tonight, because I know I was—missing her—and I thought we might talk about it” (93). Patrick and Sara were close friends before she ever met their father, and that truth triggers resentment in him—Maisie and Grant get all the sympathy, but few people remember or care what Sara meant to Patrick. He tells the kids about being roommates with Sara in New York shortly after graduation. She worked for a fashion magazine, and he pursued an acting career. This was the happiest time of Patrick’s life.

When Grant asks Patrick if he believes in heaven, Patrick dodges the question, responding instead that Sara is at peace. Patrick explains that adults don’t have the answers to everything—why there’s so much hate in the world, for example. Maisie asks why people die, and Patrick answers that it’s to teach the rest of us the value of life. His words make him realize that he hasn’t been living his best life—he’s been hiding from it. He suggests they throw a party “[t]o make ourselves feel better” (101).