Chapter 2 – Tegan’s World: Judgment, Poverty, and Little Tuna

⚠️ 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

After returning from the grocery store with Jackson, Tegan bypasses the mailboxes to avoid seeing bills she cannot pay. She and Jackson climb the two flights of stairs to her apartment; Tegan is out of breath and wonders if the pregnancy or something more serious is causing it, but her poor health insurance prevents her from seeking medical care. When they reach the top, Jackson’s phone buzzes — the food delivery has arrived. Tegan takes the groceries and sends Jackson back to retrieve it.

As she fumbles for her keys in the hallway, her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Walden, confronts her. Mrs. Walden snidely remarks about “another man” and accuses Tegan of running a bordello. She then asks whether Tegan will move after the baby is born, complaining that a crying newborn will disrupt the sleeping community. Tegan defends herself briefly, mentioning she didn’t plan the pregnancy, but Mrs. Walden’s judgment makes her feel trapped. Tegan slams her apartment door, determined to leave as soon as she gets her money.

Inside her dreary studio, Tegan reflects on how different her life was supposed to be: she was working double shifts at the grocery store to save for nursing school. Now, eight months pregnant, she is stuck. She unpacks the groceries — mostly near‑expiration canned goods, bread, cheese, milk, and five cans of tuna fish. Tegan has a strong craving for tuna and has nicknamed her unborn baby “Little Tuna.” She often imagines the fetus speaking to her, and she already loves the child deeply. Despite the difficulties, she feels no guilt about the upcoming payday that will give her and Little Tuna a fresh start.

Key Events

Tegan and Jackson arrive at her apartment building; she avoids the mail to ignore bills.
On the stairs, Tegan struggles to breathe but dismisses her health concerns due to lack of insurance.
Jackson goes to pick up a food delivery; Tegan carries the groceries to her door.
Mrs. Walden confronts Tegan in the hallway, accusing her of having many men and complaining about the future baby’s noise.
Tegan slams the door on Mrs. Walden, resolving to move out once she receives a promised payment.
Inside, Tegan sorts her discount groceries and thinks about her pregnancy cravings, especially tuna.
She nicknames the fetus “Little Tuna” and imagines the baby speaking to her.
Tegan reflects on her failed plans to attend nursing school and her current poverty.
She reaffirms her determination to use the upcoming payday to build a better life for her child.

Character Development

Tegan is portrayed as a young woman overwhelmed by her circumstances but fiercely protective of her unborn child. Her physical exhaustion and breathlessness hint at possible serious health issues, yet she prioritizes the baby’s future over her own well‑being. The nickname “Little Tuna” shows a tender, personal bond with the fetus. Her confrontation with Mrs. Walden reveals both her vulnerability (she cannot fully defend herself because the accusations are partly true) and her growing defiance — slamming the door is a small act of rebellion. The chapter ends with Tegan’s clear motivation: she will do whatever it takes for her child, including accepting the mysterious payday without guilt.

Jackson remains a supportive but peripheral figure. He helps carry groceries and shows concern for Tegan’s health, though he is not the baby’s father. Their relationship is platonic; Tegan notes they are not sleeping together and that she will likely never see him after the papers are signed.

Mrs. Walden (Evangeline) embodies the harsh judgment Tegan faces daily. She assumes Tegan is promiscuous and selfish, ignores Tegan’s attempts to explain, and threatens to report her to management. Mrs. Walden’s attitude reinforces Tegan’s isolation and desperation.

Little Tuna (the fetus) is not a speaking character but serves as Tegan’s emotional anchor. Tegan’s imagined conversations with the baby reveal her deep love and her hope for a future beyond poverty.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Poverty and Sacrifice: Tegan’s life is defined by scarcity — she avoids bills, buys expired food, and cannot see a doctor. Despite this, she sacrifices her own comfort and health for the unborn baby.
Judgment and Social Stigma: Mrs. Walden’s comments reflect society’s criticism of young, unmarried mothers. Tegan internalizes some shame but ultimately rejects it by focusing on her child.
Pregnancy Cravings and Food as Comfort: The tuna fish craving symbolizes Tegan’s need for control and pleasure in an otherwise bleak existence. Naming the baby “Little Tuna” turns a physical need into a bond.
The Payday as a Future Marker: The mysterious money Tegan expects to receive represents her only hope for escape. It is a symbol of both desperation and determination — she feels no guilt because she sees it as owed to her and her baby.
Health Anxiety: Tegan’s breathlessness and Google‑diagnoses highlight the real dangers of ignoring medical care, contrasting with her stoic approach.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 2 deepens our understanding of Tegan’s circumstances and motivations. It establishes her poverty, her strained relationship with her neighbor, and her fierce love for her unborn child. The chapter also introduces the “payday” — a major plot point that will likely drive future events. By showing Tegan’s daily struggles and the judgment she endures, the chapter builds sympathy and sets the stage for the choices she will make. Her physical symptoms also create tension: is her breathlessness a normal pregnancy side effect or something more sinister?

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Tegan call her unborn baby “Little Tuna,” and what does this reveal about her character? Tegan has intense pregnancy cravings for tuna fish, so she nicknames the fetus “Little Tuna.” The name reflects her sense of humor and the intimate bond she feels with the baby. It also shows that she finds comfort in small pleasures despite her harsh living conditions.

2. How does Mrs. Walden treat Tegan, and why does Tegan struggle to defend herself? Mrs. Walden accuses Tegan of running a “bordello” and complains that a newborn will disturb the building. Tegan’s attempts to explain are weak because the assumptions are partially true — she did become pregnant from a one-night stand and does not know the father. She feels ashamed and judges herself, making it hard to argue.

3. What role does Jackson play in Tegan’s life in this chapter? Jackson helps Tegan carry groceries and shows concern for her health. However, Tegan clarifies that they are not romantically involved and that she will likely never see him after she signs some papers. He represents a brief support but not a permanent solution to her problems.