Chapter 22 Summary: Morgan's Morning of Decision
⚠️ 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
Morgan wakes at 7:00 a.m. to a heavy rainstorm. Thunder and lightning rattle her room, and wind bends tree branches nearly horizontal. She immediately realizes that riding will be impossible and that the weather may prevent her from reaching her appointment. For the past five days, she has been fighting nausea from morning sickness, her breasts ache, and her heart feels even heavier. Her mother lies asleep in the same room. Morgan briefly longs to crawl into bed with her as she did when she was small, seeking comfort in her mother’s familiar scent and warmth. But she forces herself to stop pretending. She dresses, resolves not to give up, and texts Andy to figure out a way to get to the appointment. She tells herself that by the next day, the pregnancy will be over and she can reclaim her life.
Key Events
- Morgan wakes to a severe thunderstorm that makes cycling impossible.
- She experiences physical symptoms of early pregnancy: nausea, breast tenderness, and emotional distress.
- She resists the urge to retreat to her mother’s comfort, choosing instead to act.
- Morgan texts Andy, determined to find a way to her appointment.
- She steels herself to terminate the pregnancy and take control of her future.
Character Development
Morgan is shown at a critical juncture. Her physical vulnerability (morning sickness, emotional pain) contrasts with her newfound resolve. The chapter reveals her internal struggle between childish dependence and adult decision-making. She acknowledges her fear but refuses to let it paralyze her. By choosing to text Andy and move forward, Morgan demonstrates growth from the earlier passive reactions to her pregnancy. The absence of her mother’s awareness underscores Morgan’s isolation and the secrecy surrounding her situation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Weather as internal turmoil — The storm outside mirrors Morgan’s chaos within. The thunder, lightning, and bent branches symbolize the violence of her emotional state and the obstacles she must overcome.
Morning sickness as bodily betrayal — Morgan’s nausea and breast pain are physical reminders of the pregnancy she wants to end. Her body feels out of her control, intensifying her urgency to reclaim agency.
The motif of childhood comfort — Morgan’s memory of crawling into her mother’s bed represents a lost safety. Rejecting that urge signals her commitment to facing reality as an adult.
Secrecy — Morgan does not tell her mother about her plans. This silence highlights the themes of autonomy and the private nature of reproductive choices.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter condenses Morgan’s dilemma into a single morning. The storm forces her to confront practical barriers to her appointment, while her physical symptoms underline the immediacy of her decision. The chapter serves as a turning point: Morgan moves from fear and hesitation to active planning. It sets up the next phase of the story, where she must act on her resolve. The vivid sensory details—rain, thunder, nausea—make her internal conflict tangible and deepen reader empathy.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Morgan resist the urge to crawl into bed with her mother?
She recognizes that pretending nothing is wrong will not solve her problem. To end the pregnancy and regain control of her life, she must face the situation head-on rather than seek childish comfort.
2. How does the storm function as a symbol in this chapter?
The storm represents Morgan’s inner turmoil—the thunder and lightning echo her anxiety and the violent disruption the pregnancy has caused. The wind and rain also create a literal barrier, threatening to stop her from reaching her appointment.
3. What does Morgan’s decision to text Andy reveal about her state of mind?
It shows she is ready to take action. She has moved from passive suffering to seeking a practical solution. Andy is her ally in this secret plan, and reaching out to him is her first step toward executing her decision.