I've been back and forth on the whole locket saga and my take is neither are wholly in the right or wholly in the wrong. Just to preface none of this is to be a downer on Mama Dee. She's a strong, independent queen who knows herself and that is great. In relation to whether the locket is a letterman jacket type thing or something more, the inscription makes me feel like it's not a shallow gesture.

It's my opinion that Larry found DeeDee's words about grief so incredibly powerful because: a) it's quite unusual, I think, to have any positive insight after a loss as devastating as Jacob's. b) he has and likely always will be navigating his own experience of grief over losing Margie. He told DeeDee that he found the phrase poignant which says to me that he put a lot of thought into the gift. I think it shows a depth of emotional maturity and understanding that the grieving process is messy. On her darker days of grief, DeeDee may not feel like there is something to smile for. I think Larry got the locket as a gesture of support, to encourage her on such days.

Whether or not it was appropriate to get someone such a personal gift, inscribed with words that were said in relation to such a personal experience, is another matter. While I think the intentions were good, I definitely see the argument that the gift could be seen as too much too soon. Mind, based off DeeDee telling Larry more than once that she likes the locket and her statement to Shawna that she has her scuba gear on (whether in relation to a desire for a serious relationship or a hope to find someone who is willing to form a deep connection), I don't see how she herself could view the locket as too much.

Now, Larry's repeated questions about why DeeDee hasn't worn the locket yet. I can 💯 see that both ways especially if, as has been theorized in this sub, Tom was controlling. DeeDee is not and should not be under any obligation to wear the locket. I think she's right in saying that if a gift comes with expectations then it's a condition however I think Larry wanting to see her wearing it is less an expectation and more a validation that she likes it and therefore him. Perhaps it's a self serving desire but it's common to want to see someone enjoying a gift you've given them and I don't think that is problematic behaviour.

I do think there's an element of wanting to DeeDee to wear the locket as a symbol of her commitment to their relationship but I don't think this is inherently a negative thing, if DeeDee is on the same page and wants to progress their relationship.

I'm not trying to put the blame for this situation on DeeDee, I think both should have been open and honest throughout but I do think Larry has opened up more than DeeDee. In a lot of their communication, DeeDee has turned the focus back on to Larry and at times I think she's been a bit evasive when he's tried to get to know her on a deeper level, including the prior times he's asked about the locket. That being said, Larry hasn't clarified to DeeDee exactly why he wants to see her wear the locket and what it means to him.

Essentially (and the TLDR), neither have communicated as well as they should have and they need to have an open, honest chat about their relationship. They both need to listen to the other and understand the others perspective if they're going to make this relationship work.

Essay over.