Study Guide

Big Little Lies Chapter 54

By Liane Moriarty

Chapter 54

Perry and Celeste are in the car, driving home.
It seems like Perry had a great time at the assembly, taking photos of his kids and posting them on Facebook, making dad jokes with the other dads, and generally having a great time.
But there's something strained about him, and Celeste is worried.
She thinks he picked up on some rage when she told him, ostensibly jokingly, that she'd leave him if he signed the petition against Ziggy and Jane.
She was just so mad—after all, it was because of Perry's cousin that Ziggy was in the world at all.
Celeste thinks about the apartment she rented. It's now fully furnished; there are even sheets on the beds.
When she thinks about the furnished apartment, late at night, she feels like she's somehow betraying Perry.
They've arrived at the house, and Perry says that he's coming inside as well.
This isn't a good sign.
Perry opens the front door for her, and then immediately grabs her by the hair before smashing her head into the wall.
This is because she "embarrassed him" by joking about leaving him.
Celeste is in a heap on the floor and Perry brings her an ice pack covered in a dishcloth.
He's sobbing, and he scoops her into his arms.