Chapter 38 Summary: Polly's Desperation Threatens Her Marriage

⚠️ 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

Polly lies awake beside Hank at one in the morning. She knows he is awake because he isn't snoring. Her hand throbs under a bandage, a reminder of Tegan stabbing her with a fork earlier that day. Polly reflects that Hank has been through a lot because of her. She did not ask him to help Tegan use the bedpan, so she went down herself. Tegan looked miserable and barely spoke.

Polly believes she is doing Tegan a favor by keeping her captive. She thinks Tegan will not have to be a mother to a baby she doesn't want, and that the child will complete Hank and Polly's family. Polly recalls her mother's words that someday her family will be complete. Tired of waiting, Polly is determined to make it happen herself.

Hank breaks the silence, saying they need to talk. He asks Polly why she is really doing this. She initially lies, but he sees through her, so she admits she wants Tegan to give them her baby because they would be better parents. Hank responds that this will never happen, especially after Tegan attacked her. Polly reminds him he agreed to give her three days.

Hank warns that if she does not make things right with Tegan, they will both be arrested for kidnapping. He suggests she call Dr. Salinsky, her therapist. Polly refuses, insisting she is happy for the first time in a while. She argues that Tegan could give them everything they want, but Hank says he already has everything he wants. Frustrated, Polly rolls over and ends the conversation, silently vowing to get Tegan's baby one way or another.

Key Events

Polly and Hank lie awake at 1 a.m., both tense and unable to sleep.
Polly reflects on Tegan's condition and her own justification for the kidnapping.
Hank confronts Polly, pressing her for the real reason she is holding Tegan captive.
Polly admits she wants Tegan's baby to complete their family.
Hank forcefully dismisses the possibility and warns about the legal consequences.
Hank suggests Polly call her therapist, but she refuses.
Polly rolls away from Hank, ending the argument, and secretly resolves to take Tegan's baby by any means.

Character Development

Polly – Her manipulative nature and delusion deepen in this chapter. She genuinely believes she is helping Tegan and that stealing the baby is a mercy. Her monologue reveals a dangerous obsession and a willingness to ignore reality. When Hank pushes back, she shuts down rather than reconsider.

Hank – He is shown to be conflicted but still loyal. He does not share Polly's fantasy and is deeply worried about the legal risk. His suggestion to call Dr. Salinsky indicates he sees Polly's mental state as unstable. Despite his doubts, he remains bound by the three-day agreement.

Tegan (offstage) – Her physical and emotional decline is evident through Polly's descriptions: matted hair, bedsores, silence. She remains a victim with no agency in this scene.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

False Mercy – Polly frames her abduction as a favor, claiming Tegan will be freed from unwanted motherhood. This shows how self-deception can twist morality.
Marriage on the Brink – The bedroom setting, usually intimate, becomes a battleground. Hank and Polly's gap in understanding threatens their partnership.
The Three-Day Countdown – The agreement becomes a source of tension. Hank is keeping his word but clearly has no belief in a positive outcome.
The Therapist (Dr. Salinsky) – A symbol of the mental health support Polly rejects. Her refusal to call Dr. Salinsky underscores her denial.
Hair as a Sign of Intimacy – Polly wears her hair down only for Hank, signaling a sliver of trust that is now cracking.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter crystallizes the central conflict of the novel: Polly's desperate maternal longing versus the moral and legal reality. Hank's skepticism forces Polly to articulate her plan, revealing how far she is willing to go. The chapter also sets up the inevitable failure of the scheme—Hank already sees it, but Polly marches forward. The reader senses that the three-day timeline will lead to a crisis. Polly's final inner vow confirms she will not be swayed, making the story's outcome more urgent.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Hank suggest Polly call Dr. Salinsky?
Hank believes Polly is not thinking clearly and hopes a professional can help her reconsider her actions. He does not want them to go to prison and recognizes that Polly is mentally unstable.

2. What evidence shows that Polly is deceiving herself about her motives?
Polly claims she is helping Tegan avoid unwanted motherhood, but her internal monologue reveals that she is only thinking of her own desire for a baby. She ignores Tegan's suffering and the illegality of kidnapping.

3. How does the setting (the bedroom at 1 a.m.) affect the chapter's mood?
The dark, quiet setting amplifies the tension and intimacy of the confrontation. It strips away daily distractions, leaving Polly and Hank alone with their opposing views. The lack of daylight symbolizes the moral darkness of Polly's plan.