Chapter 23: Nancy – Summary, Themes, and Character Insights

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Summary

In spring 1987, Nancy, now six months pregnant, rides the streetcar to Dr. Taylor's house for a Jane volunteer shift. She reflects on the growing strain of lying to her husband Michael about her secret work with the underground abortion network. She recalls discovering her pregnancy just before their first Christmas as a married couple, and how different this pregnancy feels from her first one—a difference she cannot share with Michael. As her pregnancy progresses, Michael has become more protective and suspicious of her absences, and Nancy worries about how long she can keep up the deception. She also contemplates whether she will have to quit the Janes after the baby arrives, torn between relief at the possibility of ending the lies and guilt about abandoning the cause.

At Dr. Taylor's home, Nancy is greeted by Tom, Dr. Taylor's husband, and then by Dr. Taylor and Alice. They prepare for a patient, Brenda, a thirty-eight-year-old woman who is ten weeks pregnant and has opted for a D&C procedure. During intake, Brenda reveals she is a police officer. Nancy is alarmed and immediately alerts Dr. Taylor and Alice. The three women discuss the risk, recalling the 1984 raid and the undercover officer who had worn a wire. After a tense deliberation, Dr. Taylor decides to speak with Brenda directly. Brenda explains that she was denied an abortion by the Therapeutic Abortion Committee because her request was deemed not medically necessary, and she has no other option. She insists she is not there as a police officer but as a woman in need. Dr. Taylor agrees to help but imposes strict restrictions: Brenda must remove all clothing and wear a hospital gown, and leave her coat, shoes, and purse in the sitting room. Nancy is asked to check Brenda's belongings for listening devices. After Brenda is taken to the procedure room, Dr. Taylor expresses her exhaustion and frustration with the long fight for legalization, hinting at a deeper weariness.

Six weeks later, Nancy attends her baby shower at her parents' house. She feels uncomfortable being the center of attention, and her father escapes to the den. Among the gifts, her mother Frances presents her with a small box containing a pair of yellow baby booties. Nancy immediately recognizes them as Margaret's booties—a painful reminder of the daughter she gave up for adoption years ago. She searches the booties for a hidden note from her mother, hoping for some acknowledgment or explanation, but finds nothing. Overwhelmed, she retreats to the bathroom and sobs. She hides the booties in her purse and later brings them home. That night, Michael notices her distress and presses her to confide in him. After a long hesitation, Nancy confesses that she had an abortion before she met him. Michael reacts with shock and anger, accusing her of not trusting him and questioning what else she might be hiding. He leaves the house, slamming the door, leaving Nancy alone in the nursery, devastated and realizing that her secrets have now broken the trust between them.

Key Events

Nancy travels to Dr. Taylor's home for a Jane volunteer shift, reflecting on her lies to Michael and her pregnancy.
Brenda arrives for an abortion and reveals she is a police officer, causing alarm.
Dr. Taylor, Alice, and Nancy deliberate about the risk and decide to help Brenda under strict conditions.
Nancy checks Brenda's belongings for bugs, and Dr. Taylor expresses her fatigue with the ongoing fight.
At Nancy's baby shower, her mother gives her a pair of yellow baby booties that Nancy recognizes as Margaret's, but no note is hidden inside.
Nancy breaks down privately, feeling betrayed and confused.
That night, Michael confronts Nancy about her distance, and she confesses to having had an abortion before meeting him.
Michael reacts with anger and leaves, shattering the trust between them.

Character Development

Nancy: This chapter deepens Nancy's internal conflict. She is torn between her commitment to the Janes and her desire for a normal family life. Her pregnancy makes her more vulnerable, and she struggles with the weight of her secrets. The baby shower and the reappearance of Margaret's booties reopen old wounds, and her confession to Michael—while partial—marks a turning point in her willingness to share her past, even at great personal cost.
Michael: Though not present for much of the chapter, Michael's reaction to Nancy's confession reveals his own expectations of trust and honesty in marriage. His anger and departure show how deeply he feels betrayed, and his character highlights the consequences of Nancy's prolonged secrecy.
Dr. Taylor: She shows a rare moment of vulnerability, admitting she is tired and frustrated after years of fighting. Her cautious handling of Brenda demonstrates her experience and the constant threat of surveillance, but also her compassion in agreeing to help despite the risk.
Brenda: As a police officer denied care by the system she serves, Brenda embodies the absurdity and cruelty of the legal barriers to abortion. Her honesty and desperation make her a sympathetic figure, and her presence forces the Janes to confront their own fears.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and Deception: The chapter is saturated with lies—Nancy's lies to Michael, her hidden past, and the Janes' covert operations. The booties symbolize a secret that refuses to stay buried, and Michael's reaction shows how secrets can corrode trust.
Reproductive Choice: Brenda's situation illustrates the real-world consequences of restrictive abortion laws. Her denial by the committee underscores the theme that access to abortion is a matter of life-changing importance, and the Janes' work is a direct response to that injustice.
Police Surveillance and Undercover Risk: The memory of the 1984 raid and the fear of another undercover officer create a tense atmosphere. Dr. Taylor's insistence on stripping Brenda of her clothes and checking for bugs highlights the constant threat of legal persecution.
Adoption Trauma: Nancy's reaction to the booties—her desperate search for a note and subsequent breakdown—reveals the unresolved pain of giving up her daughter. The booties become a symbol of that loss and the unanswered questions surrounding it.
Marital Trust and Betrayal: Michael's accusation that Nancy doesn't trust him, and her realization that she can't trust him either, underscores the theme that secrets can destroy even the strongest bonds.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Nancy's character arc. It brings together two major threads of her life—her work with the Janes and her personal history of adoption and abortion—and forces them into collision. The reappearance of Margaret's booties at the baby shower is a powerful emotional catalyst, pushing Nancy toward a confession that she has long avoided. The chapter also deepens the novel's exploration of the costs of secrecy, both for individuals and for relationships. Dr. Taylor's moment of exhaustion humanizes her and reminds readers of the toll that activism takes. Finally, the chapter sets up a major conflict between Nancy and Michael that will likely have lasting consequences for their marriage and for Nancy's future decisions.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Nancy decide to tell Michael about her abortion, and why does she choose that particular secret?

Nancy tells Michael about her abortion because she feels pressured to give him something after he confronts her about her distance and lack of trust. She cannot tell him about her work with the Janes, so she chooses the abortion as a