Chapter summaries The Breakaway Jennifer Weiner

Chapter 17 Summary: Morgan’s Pregnancy Secret and Sebastian’s Friendship Mission

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

On Day Four of the bike ride from Hudson to Amsterdam, Morgan fears she is pregnant. She calls her friend Olivia to ask about getting abortion pills, but Olivia urges Morgan to tell her mother, Lily. Morgan refuses, believing Lily would prevent the procedure and involve her father and brother. Meanwhile, Sebastian, advised by Lincoln to be Abby’s friend, rides alongside her. Their conversation covers Philadelphia, COVID experiences, relationships, and family. Abby reveals she is not a one-night-stand person; Sebastian admits he has never had a serious girlfriend. They discuss their parents’ marriages. The Spoke’n Four riders notice Sebastian’s happiness with Abby and encourage him to pursue her, despite her boyfriend Mark. Sebastian remains unsure of his own intentions.

Key Events

  • Morgan learns she cannot get abortion pills without a helper to drive her home.
  • Olivia repeatedly suggests Morgan tell Lily, but Morgan insists Lily would lock her away.
  • Sebastian decides to befriend Abby, following Lincoln’s advice.
  • Sebastian and Abby share personal stories about COVID lockdowns, their families, and relationship histories.
  • Abby reveals Mark runs six miles daily and eats very clean; Sebastian senses tension.
  • The Spoke’n Four riders (Ted, Ed, Sue) notice Sebastian’s connection with Abby and urge him to go after her.
  • Sebastian reflects that he has never had a serious girlfriend and worries about his online reputation.

Character Development

  • Morgan Emory: Deepens her internal conflict: she is terrified of her mother’s reaction and feels dishonest, yet she is determined to end the pregnancy on her own terms.
  • Sebastian Piersall: Shows vulnerability by admitting his lack of relationship experience and his family struggles. He actively tries to listen and connect, moving beyond his usual casual encounters.
  • Abby: Opens up about her parents’ mismatched marriage and her life in Philadelphia, hinting at dissatisfaction with Mark’s rigidity.
  • Lily (offstage): Remains a controlling presence in Morgan’s mind; her imagined reaction drives Morgan’s secrecy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Secrecy and Shame: Morgan hides her pregnancy from her mother; Sebastian hides his online scandal and family dysfunction. Both characters feel judged.
  • Communication vs. Isolation: Olivia urges Morgan to talk to Lily; Sebastian struggles to have a genuine conversation with Abby. The chapter contrasts open dialogue with fearful silence.
  • Parental Influence: Both Morgan and Sebastian’s relationships with their parents shape their fears and avoidant behaviors. Lily’s perceived overprotectiveness and Sebastian’s mother’s drinking affect their choices.
  • Friendship as a Mask: Sebastian’s “be her friend” mission is a strategy to get close to Abby, raising questions about whether true friendship can grow from an ulterior motive.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens two major plotlines. Morgan’s pregnancy crisis introduces a high-stakes decision that will test her relationship with Lily and her own autonomy. Sebastian’s evolving connection with Abby moves beyond the one-night stand, forcing him to confront his emotional immaturity. The parallel between hiding a pregnancy and hiding a scandal highlights the novel’s exploration of vulnerability and trust. The chapter also sets up future confrontations: Morgan must find a helper, and Sebastian must decide whether his feelings for Abby are genuine.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Morgan refuse to tell her mother about the pregnancy? Morgan believes Lily would immediately inform Morgan’s father and brother, then lock Morgan in her room until she gives birth. She sees Lily as controlling and untrustworthy, not as a source of support.

2. What does Sebastian learn about Abby during their ride? He learns that Abby is not a one-night-stand person, that she resents Mark’s obsession with fitness and clean eating, that her parents were mismatched and are now happily remarried, and that she volunteers in her community (teaching kids to bike during COVID).

3. How does the conversation about family influence Sebastian’s self-awareness? When Abby asks about his parents’ marriage, Sebastian admits it is “not the healthiest relationship,” revealing his mother’s drinking and his father’s rescuer role. This opens his eyes to how his own relationship failures may stem from his family dynamics, a realization he had never articulated before.

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