The Guncle Abroad

Patrick decides to start their trip across Europe in Paris and prepares Grant and Maisie for the train. He forces them to pack lightly, sending most of Maisie’s books back to the US. On the train, Grant and Maisie once again confront Patrick about the need to talk to their father. They want Patrick to talk some sense into him about Livia. Patrick refuses, saying that people in love cannot be convinced to change their minds. He remembers how different Greg and Sara both were when they fell in love, and how Patrick went from being a brother and best friend to a clunky third wheel.

As the train passes under the English Channel, Patrick tries to convince Grant and Maisie to be open-minded, saying that he is about to show them so many new and incredible things across Europe. He wants them to think about their experiences on the trips and his lessons about love, which he calls Guncle Love Languages, and promises that if when they reach Italy, they still do not want Livia to marry their father, he will talk to Greg. The kids agree to Patrick’s terms and he introduces the first love language: Silence. They are all quiet for the rest of the journey.

Patrick and his niblings arrive in Paris. Patrick thinks of love languages the whole way there and hopes that they will help them realize why Livia and their father may be a good match. He also hopes that his introduction of love languages to them will show them how Livia might love them in ways that they cannot yet see. He does also worry, though, that he is not the best teacher, his breakup with Emory casting doubts on his own experiences with love. However, Patrick figures that they can all learn and grow together, like they did in the wake of Sara’s passing.

After checking into their hotel, Patrick brings Grant and Maisie to a tearoom at 226 rue de Rivoli and orders them all the “famous” hot chocolate. He orders in French, and Maisie tries to use her translation app, SayHi, to find out what he says exactly. The kids are skeptical, but Patrick introduces Guncle Love Language number two: “Finer Things.” He explains that nice things should be enjoyed with those you love, whenever possible. When the hot chocolate arrives, it is clear that it is unlike any chocolate the children know. It is rich and thick, not watered-down like the instant hot chocolate they are used to. Patrick wants them to enjoy the hot chocolate, but Grant drinks it all down in one big gulp.

Grant and Maisie like the hot chocolate, and are very complimentary of Patrick for introducing them to it. Patrick realizes what they are doing and warns them that flattery will not win him to their side. They complain about Livia and how her being Italian is weird to them.

Next, Patrick takes Grant and Maisie to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. They reach the top of the steps and sit down in front of the church, looking out across the whole city. He realizes that the kids are exhausted, having already undergone a long day through the Louvre. When they saw the Mona Lisa, both kids were shocked that the famous painting was so small and plain. As they sit on the steps and look out onto the city, Patrick introduces Guncle Love Language number three: “Don’t need no credit card to ride this train” (81). He explains that money cannot buy anything better than enjoying “life’s free joys with the people you care about” (81).

Patrick remembers a time when Sara visited his house in LA after her engagement to Greg. It was Patrick’s first house, bought with the money from his first show and he shared it with Joe. On the deck, he and Sara bickered because Patrick was annoyed that she was marrying his brother. Despite this, she told Patrick that she was excited that they will be “sisters,” and Patrick realized for the first time that they would actually be family.

Maisie tries to discuss with Patrick what he should say to Greg to convince him not to marry Livia. Maisie complains about how Livia wants them to go to church. When Patrick asks if the kids pray, Maisie and Grant both say that they sometimes talk to their mother. When Maisie says that memories of her mother are becoming fuzzier, Patrick realizes that the kids’ grief is the major roadblock to them accepting Livia. They do not want to feel as though they are replacing Sara.

Maisie tells Patrick that she does not want Livia erasing Sara’s memories, and Patrick promises her that Livia can never erase their lives with and memories of Sara. It is natural for Livia to want her own life in the family, but this does not mean that Sara will disappear completely.

Patrick remembers a summer in college when he and Sara wanted to be in a production of The Sound of Music. When neither won the part they hoped for, Sara convinced Patrick to spend the summer at the beach instead. Now, in Europe, Patrick decides to honor Sara’s memory by bringing the kids to Salzburg in Austria for the official Sound of Music tour. Before they begin the tour, Maisie and Grant wonder why Patrick is forcing them to be do this with him, and he explains that their mother would love to see them doing this. He explains, “‘Guncle Love Language number four: ‘Simply remember your favorite things’” (95), reminding them to engage in activities that the people they love like. When the kids still struggle to understand, Patrick explains that they are taking the tour for Sara.

On the tour, Patrick attempts to convince Maisie to keep an open mind about Livia, but she refuses, unwilling to change her stance. The trio visit all of the famous sites from The Sound of Music, Patrick enthralled, Maisie and Grant skeptical. At the end of the tour, two college kids approach Patrick, recognizing him and wanting a picture. They wear t-shirts with the Wonder bread and Smucker’s logos on them and carry a third with Lipton tea on it, a play on the lyrics, “Tea, a drink with jam and bread” (100). In an effort to embarrass Maisie and Grant, Patrick dons the extra shirt and begins singing the song Do-Re-Mi until the entire crowd joins in and even Maisie and Grant cannot help but smile.