Before We Were Yours: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

For almost three weeks the Stafford family has been fighting off the press, since the publication of the article about Magnolia Manor. Avery wants to remind the reporters that follow the family around at public events that Judy can afford to live at Magnolia Manor, but knows she can’t say that. After church one Sunday Avery spots her sisters, niece, and nephews hanging out by the stables and goes down to see them. Allison explains that they just wanted to get some pictures of the triplets with the new foals to post on social media to distract from the negative press. While they talk, Avery feels as if a “ten-pound barbell lands on [her] chest” when she notices Bitsy’s car pull up; however, it’s Elliot who gets out of the car, not Bitsy. Avery excitedly runs over to greet him.

Elliot explains that his flight got laid over and he wanted to see Avery for a few hours. Avery sees her parents pull up and quickly leads him away before Honeybee can drag them into a conversation about wedding plans. Elliot suggests they take a walk together and they catch up with each other as they head toward the riding trails. While they walk, Avery tells Elliot about May Crandall and her story. Elliot asks her why she’s taking such an interest in ancient history and why any of it would matter. Avery says it mattered to her grandmother and is bewildered when Elliot says Judy is the reason Avery should be careful. Avery asks what he means, and Elliot says Judy is too outspoken and loves controversy, which only makes Avery angry. Elliot says he doesn’t want to fight, but his opinion of Judy still bothers Avery.

Elliot and Avery start talking about their wedding but can’t settle on any plans before Elliot has to catch his flight. When Avery gets home, Honeybee is upset that Elliot couldn’t stay to talk to her. Honeybee says she’s worried that Avery is putting off her wedding because she’s worried about the family, so Avery explains that she doesn’t feel that way. To herself, Avery wonders if she and Elliot are being selfish by not making solid plans yet and then tells Honeybee they’ll settle on something soon. In the back of Avery’s mind, she still hears the words Elliot said about Judy and Avery realizes that Elliot doesn’t see how similar she and Judy are. Honeybee tears up as she tells Avery how lucky Elliot is. Avery sees how much Honeybee is looking forward to the wedding and decides it’s time to make plans for it.

The next morning Avery goes to Magnolia Manor to tell Judy about her wedding plans. When Avery arrives, Judy greets her right away and tells her that she has a request—she wants Avery to burn the appointment books in her house. Avery expresses her reluctance, but Judy waves her off and says there are names and numbers that she doesn’t want other people to find and reiterates that Avery needs to burn all the books. Avery says that it’s dangerous, but Judy says, “Don’t worry, Beth.” Suddenly Avery realizes Judy doesn’t recognize her, and Avery doesn’t recognize the name Beth. Avery is somewhat relieved because it gives her an excuse not to do what Judy is telling her to.

After talking to Judy for a while, Avery says she has to go and that her dad will be there later. Judy asks who Avery’s dad is and gets confused when Avery tries to explain that Wells is her son. As Avery walks out of the facility, she is tempted to call Elliot to talk to him about her feelings about Judy’s confusion but remembers what Elliot said about Judy and decides he’s not the one to call. Just then Trent calls her—they haven’t spoken since they went to see May together because Avery thought it’d be better not to see him again, but she decides to answer his call. Trent says she’s been on his mind since her family has been in the news so much and patiently listens to Avery as she explains her frustration with the situation.

Trent tells Avery that he’s in Aiken and invites her to lunch so he can tell her about some discoveries he made while digging around trying to find May’s brother, Gabion. Avery is surprised that Trent has taken such an interest in May’s story, but in a good way—she feels like he’s a better person than she is because she’s been distancing herself from May to avoid starting any rumors. For this same reason, Avery realizes going to lunch with Trent would be a bad idea until he mentions that he has Jonah with him—with Jonah there, it looks less suspicious for them to have lunch together. Avery tells Trent about a drive-in near Judy’s house that has a playground and they decide to meet there.

Avery thinks about her situation while she drives back towards Judy’s neighborhood. She wonders if she got “spoiled” in Maryland because she was able to be somewhat anonymous; no constituents or contributors to worry about or a support staff to schedule her days for her. Avery realizes that she never really understood how “all-consuming” being a Stafford is, especially in Aiken—it leaves no room for her to be an individual. Avery knows she used to like this, but she wonders if she’s outgrown it. This leads her to question if she must choose between being Wells’s daughter or being herself. Avery tries to dismiss these thoughts as a reaction to the stress she’s been under lately.

While Avery sits at a stop sign by Judy’s house, she notices a taxi in the driveway and gets curious. Avery decides to go see what he’s doing in Judy’s driveway. Avery knocks on the taxi window and tells him he must have the wrong address, but the taxi driver tells her that it’s not the wrong address; in fact, there is a standing reservation for every Thursday at 10:30 in the morning and has been for years. Avery asks where Judy goes, and the man says she always goes to a place on the water in Augusta. Avery suddenly remembers that May mentioned that her home is in Augusta and decides it’s not a coincidence. She asks the driver to take her there and he agrees.

Trent texts Avery to let her know that he and Jonah are waiting for her. Avery calls him, explains what’s happening, and asks if he’ll follow the cab to Augusta. Trent agrees so Avery directs the cab to the drive-in before they leave town. Avery senses that something important is about to happen, but she doesn’t know what it will be. They stop at the drive-in so Trent can hand Avery some food; he asks if she’s all right and she assures him that she’s just nervous about what they will find. On the way, Avery and the driver talk about Judy’s weekly drives until they arrive at their destination—there’s nothing there but a dilapidated iron gate and a pathway that the driver says Judy always walks down. Avery feels like she’s in a dream as Trent pulls up, but when she looks up she realizes it’s all real.