By candlelight, Polly mixes a tuna sandwich for Tegan, noting the mercury risk but dismissing it as minor. As she works, Polly judges Tegan’s drinking and doubts Tegan’s claim of being married, imagining her as a soon-to-be single mother. Her irritation is fueled by Tegan’s casual comment about being “ridiculously fertile.”

Polly’s thoughts slide into her own history: eight years of infertility, irregular cycles, three costly IVF attempts, and a failed adoption. Searching the pantry for crackers, she finds a teddy bear Hank once bought when they briefly believed a pregnancy was possible, which she had hidden behind Spam, creamed corn, and prenatal vitamins. The bear stirs grief she forces herself to suppress.

After finishing the sandwich, a crash from the living room and Hank’s swearing make Polly spin with the kitchen knife raised. Hank backs off, surprised, then explains he knocked over the end table and is fine despite the cold house. Their exchange underscores how on edge Polly is.

Hank offers to bring the food, but Polly refuses because Tegan is afraid of him. Hank’s worry that Polly might “crack” again after “The Incident” lingers unspoken. Polly reflects that Hank’s intimidating beard worsens Tegan’s fear and recalls how they met: he fixed her car for free when she was a nursing student, and she invited him to dinner. She doesn’t regret that choice, though she wonders if Hank ever has.