Chapter 43

Summary

• Don and Evelyn meet and he apologizes for his past actions.
• Don reveals that he has been sober for two hundred and fifty-six days, expressing regret for his past as an alcoholic and for how he treated Evelyn.
• Evelyn grapples with Don's sudden change, struggling to figure out what his apology means to her. She expresses anger, noting he was not only an alcoholic, but also a cheater and thus his apology cannot undo the damage.
• Amid their conversation, they order Reubens from their waitress who recognizes them, but remains professional.
• Don reiterates his regret and promises he's working to be a better man. Evelyn, however, is dismissive and notes that his improvement had little relevance to her now.
• When Don promises never to hurt anyone like he did Evelyn and another person named Ruby, Evelyn momentarily softens but maintains that an apology does not rectify past wrongdoings.
• Throughout the conversation, Evelyn acknowledges parts of Don's apology as truthful, but still feels rather unsatisfied.
• Don admits that he's always loved Evelyn and regrets becoming someone who hurt her, expressing his desire for a redo of their wedding day. However, Evelyn indicates that she never wished to fix their past relationship and was content with her life.
• Evelyn, feeling confident and unthreatened, decides to share a photo of her daughter, Connor, with Don. They share a light moment where Don remarks on their daughter's resemblance to Evelyn.
• By the end of their meal, Evelyn agrees to act in Don's movie but insists that they are not friends, but can be friendly.