In Jodi Picoult's "Handle with Care," the narrator reflects on the complexities of marriage and relationship breakdowns. The speaker confesses to a skepticism towards women who claim their marriages fell apart suddenly. They suggest that such perceptions often overlook the gradual nature of marital issues, indicating that problems can accumulate over time while individuals focus on immediate crises.

The quote emphasizes the tendency to ignore underlying problems while dealing with more pressing issues, implying that true marital dissolution is rarely abrupt. Instead, it is a culmination of neglect and unresolved conflicts that can lead to an eventual breakdown, highlighting the importance of addressing deeper issues rather than just the visible ones.