Summary

“Chef’s House” by Raymond Carver tells the story of Edna and Wes, a separated couple who get back together for an idyllic summer. Edna recalls the time spent together with her estranged husband in a rented house located north of Eureka (presumably in the Northern California area). Wes, a recovering alcoholic, rents the house from Chef, a recovered alcoholic. He calls Edna to invite her to live with him. She is unsure at first but eventually accepts as he seems to be sober and well-intended.

Edna breaks up with her current boyfriend, despite his attempts to convince her to stay. She is aware that Wes has recently become single as well.

After a month with Wes, Edna puts her wedding ring back on her finger. She had taken it off two years before, after Wes, who was drunk at the time, threw his ring into a peach orchard.

Since the rent is cheap and they have some mon...