The Surrogate Mother – Chapter 16 Summary & 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
After the dinner with Monica, Abby wakes up to find Sam unusually cheerful—whistling while he shaves, which he never did before. Abby confronts him about his behavior the previous night, accusing him of drinking too much and enjoying Monica’s company. Sam denies being drunk and argues that Abby herself invited Monica, arrived late, and made him promise to be pleasant. Abby reveals her deeper fears: Monica called the baby “our baby,” implying a shared claim, and Abby worries Monica might want to keep both the baby and Sam. Sam dismisses the concern, pointing out the legal contract, but Abby notices his softened attitude toward Monica and the emotional bond forming through the pregnancy. Though Sam tries to reassure Abby with a hug, her insecurity remains unresolved.
Key Events
- Sam whistles in the bathroom and seems in high spirits the morning after dinner.
- Abby questions Sam about his behavior, implying he was too friendly with Monica.
- Sam defends himself, reminding Abby she was late and asked him to be nice.
- Abby brings up Monica calling the baby “our baby,” interpreting it as a possessive term.
- Sam insists on attending the upcoming ultrasound appointment, asserting his right as the biological father.
- Abby confesses her fear that Monica might want to keep the baby—and possibly Sam.
- Sam hugs Abby and tells her not to worry, but the tension lingers.
Character Development
Abby remains the primary point of view, and her jealousy deepens in this chapter. She fixates on small details—Sam whistling, the nickname “Sammy,” Monica’s phrasing—revealing a lack of trust rooted in her own insecurity. Despite Sam’s reasonable explanations, Abby cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong, showing that her emotional state is becoming more fragile.
Sam demonstrates patience but also a newfound assertiveness. He refuses to let Abby control the narrative about Monica and insists on being present for medical appointments. His whistling and lighthearted mood contrast with Abby’s anxiety, highlighting a growing emotional distance between the spouses.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Jealousy and Insecurity: The chapter revolves entirely around Abby’s jealousy. Her obsession with Monica’s every word and gesture reflects her fear of losing Sam to the surrogate—a fear that is not grounded in evidence but in emotional vulnerability.
Possession and Language: Monica’s phrase “our baby” becomes a trigger for Abby, exposing the ambiguity of the surrogate arrangement. Who does the baby belong to? The contract says one thing, but the emotional language suggests another.
Marital Trust: Sam and Abby’s relationship is tested by a lack of communication. Abby does not voice her deeper fear (losing Sam to Monica) directly; instead, she picks fights over trivial matters. Sam’s defensive responses indicate that trust is fraying.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Abby’s internal conflict. The dinner with Monica has shattered the fragile peace in her marriage. By showing Abby’s jealousy escalating and Sam asserting his parental rights, the chapter sets up the central tension of the novel: the surrogate is becoming a rival not just for the baby, but for Sam’s affection. Readers see the couple’s relationship strain under the pressure of the pregnancy, making future events more unpredictable.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What specific behavior of Sam’s triggers Abby’s jealousy in this chapter?
Abby notices Sam whistling in the bathroom, a behavior he never displayed before. She interprets his cheerful mood after the dinner with Monica as a sign that he enjoyed her company too much, leading to accusations of excessive drinking and flirtation.
2. How does Sam defend his actions to Abby?
Sam argues that Abby herself organized the dinner, arrived two hours late, and made him promise to be “well-behaved.” He points out that being polite and friendly to a guest does not warrant suspicion, and he reminds Abby that the baby is his biological child, giving him the right to attend all appointments.
3. What deeper fear does Abby admit to at the end of the chapter?
Abby confesses that she worries Monica might want to keep the baby—and also that Monica might want to keep Sam. Although Sam dismisses this as irrational, Abby cannot let go of the feeling that a bond is forming between Sam and the surrogate.