55 pages 1 hour read

Jodi Picoult

The Pact

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

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Part 2, Chapters 15-16-Part 3, Chapter 18

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2: “The Girl Next Door” - Part 3: “The Truth”

Chapter 15 Summary: “Then: September 1997”

Emily learns she is pregnant via a home test and then by an appointment at Planned Parenthood. She schedules an appointment to terminate the pregnancy and steals money by forging Melanie’s signature on a check.

Chris and Emily continue to have sex, and Emily continues to find it unpleasant. She thinks frequently of their parents’ expectations that she and Chris will marry and remain together forever. Chris, too, is adamant about his desire to be committed to Emily permanently. One night on a beach, Emily walks into the water, telling Chris she dreams of drowning. On another occasion, Emily accompanies Chris to a secluded area to practice target shooting. To Chris’s surprise, she asks him to teach her to fire the pistol. Chris is further surprised when Emily appears to be a skillful shot.

The day of the abortion arrives, but when the male physician examines her, Emily panics and cannot continue with the appointment. She discusses options with a Planned Parenthood employee, though she does not feel as if she truly has any options available to her.

Chapter 16 Summary: “Now: Christmas 1997”

Chris is surprised when Michael visits. As they talk, Michael says he does not believe Chris killed Emily. Gus, meanwhile, bumps into Melanie at a store, but Melanie will not speak to her.

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