Chapter 23: "22. Kayla" – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ 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

Chapter 23 opens at 7:15 a.m. Kayla Presser dresses quietly in the dark, then joins Morgan at the dining table. Andy has told Kayla about Morgan’s appointment, and Kayla asks to speak with her first. Morgan is terrified, her body stiff, her eyes darting. Kayla gently approaches her like a frightened fawn, promising she is not in trouble and wants to help. Morgan reveals she cannot talk to her mother, who views abortion as murder. Kayla and Andy will take her to the appointment, ride in an Uber because of the forecasted thunderstorms, and stay with her afterward. Kayla assures Morgan they can pretend the detour is a college visit to Syracuse University, with Jasper picking them up later. Morgan hopes for pills instead of a procedure, and Kayla feels furious at the laws and people who harm girls like her.

Key Events

Kayla sneaks back into her bedroom and dresses in the dark, then goes downstairs to wait for Morgan.
Andy texts Kayla that he and Morgan will meet at 7:30 a.m. to go over the plan; Kayla insists on speaking to Morgan first.
Morgan appears dressed in oversized clothes, looking thin and scared. She stiffens when she sees Kayla instead of Andy.
Kayla compares Morgan to a fawn, approaching her gently to avoid frightening her.
Kayla tells Morgan about the appointment and promises not to tell anyone or get her in trouble.
Morgan admits she cannot tell her mother, who thinks abortion is murder.
Kayla and Andy will accompany Morgan to the appointment, take an Uber (rain makes biking impossible), and care for her afterward.
To avoid suspicion from Abby and Jasper, they will claim they are visiting Syracuse University (college trip idea).
Morgan hopes for a medication abortion (pills) rather than a surgical procedure.
Kayla feels a surge of protective anger at the world, laws, and people who would hurt a girl like Morgan.

Character Development

Kayla Presser shows deep empathy and maternal instinct in this chapter. She dresses quietly to avoid drawing attention, then waits to intercept Morgan. Her approach is careful, soft, and deliberate—she knows Morgan is fragile. Kayla’s inner fury at punitive abortion laws and the absent father figure reveals a fierce protective side. She becomes the adult Morgan trusts, willing to break the biking group’s routine and lie to chaperones to keep the girl safe.

Morgan is vulnerable, trembling, and near tears. She is a “baby herself,” as Kayla observes, yet she is forced into an adult decision. Morgan’s fear of her mother’s judgment and her gratitude toward Kayla show her isolation and desperate need for support. She nods, mouths “thank you,” and finally lifts her head—a small sign of growing trust.

Andy (mentioned only) has kept his promise to Kayla but also respects her request to speak with Morgan first. He appears responsible, wanting an adult present.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and trust: The entire plan hinges on keeping Morgan’s appointment hidden from her mother and the other riders. Kayla must earn Morgan’s trust quickly.
Bodily autonomy and legal barriers: Morgan’s mother sees abortion as murder, and the conservative men who make laws are attacked by Kayla’s thoughts. The chapter highlights how teenage girls navigate restricted access to reproductive care.
Maternal vs. biological motherhood: Kayla acts as a surrogate mother in this moment—protective, comforting, and pragmatic—even though she is not Morgan’s parent.
Weather as mood: Thunderstorms and rain forecasted all day create a gloomy, oppressive atmosphere that mirrors Morgan’s emotional turmoil.
The fawn simile: Morgan is compared to a frightened fawn, underscoring her innocence, fragility, and the need for gentle handling.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 23 is a turning point for Kayla and Morgan’s relationship and for the novel’s exploration of reproductive choice. Kayla shifts from a supporting character into a protector, and Morgan begins to trust an adult outside her family. The chapter also deepens the book’s political commentary: Kayla’s fury at “clueless men” and “conservative parents” gives personal weight to the larger debate. By offering a safe passage to the appointment, Kayla risks her own standing in the biking group. This chapter shows how solidarity among women can counter oppressive systems, making it essential to the novel’s emotional arc.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Kayla insist on speaking to Morgan before the appointment?
Kayla wants to reassure Morgan, promises she isn’t in trouble, and ensures Morgan has a trusted adult present. She also needs to confirm Morgan’s consent and understand her situation so they can plan the logistics (e.g., using an Uber, covering with a college visit).
How does the author use the fawn simile to characterize Morgan?
The simile compares Morgan to a “spindly-legged fawn” with big liquid eyes and long limbs, emphasizing her youth, vulnerability, and readiness to flee. Kayla must approach her gently “not to spook it,” reflecting Morgan’s extreme fear and the delicate trust-building that follows.
What does Kayla’s internal rage at “punitive laws” and “clueless men” reveal about her worldview?
It shows Kayla’s frustration with systemic injustice and her personal stake in protecting girls like Morgan. She sees the consequences of restrictive abortion laws firsthand and channels her anger into action rather than despair. This moment positions Kayla as an advocate for reproductive choice and a fierce protector of young women.