Chapter 2 delves into the complexities of the relationship between the narrator and their daughter, Maggie, as the realities of adulthood and independence take a toll on their bond. After Maggie completes her college education, she moves to Boston, and the narrator, wanting to support her as she navigates the next stage of her life, agrees to co-sign her lease for a basement studio apartment. Along with the lease, the narrator agrees to help cover her rent for the first year, thinking this would give Maggie the financial stability she needs to focus on building a future for herself. Despite this support, however, tension builds between them as Maggie’s choices become more difficult to understand. She takes a job at Dr. Cell Phone, a local repair shop owned by a man named Oliver Dingham, who seems to have an interest in her that goes beyond being a mentor. The narrator grows increasingly concerned about Maggie’s safety and well-being, especially with the implication of romantic involvement between her and Oliver. Maggie, on the other hand, brushes off her parents’ worries, believing that any experience in the tech industry will be beneficial for her future career.

In the midst of all this, Maggie unexpectedly visits home one Saturday morning, confessing that she’s been feeling homesick. Having driven all night, she arrives looking exhausted, and the narrator, though relieved to see her, quickly senses that something is not right. She participates in family activities as usual, yet there is an underlying sense of unease in her behavior. After a while, Maggie subtly requests the narrator to lie about the time of her arrival, asking for an alibi to cover her tracks. When confronted about her request, Maggie insists that she’s not lying, but merely adjusting the truth in a harmless way. This request starts to raise doubts for the narrator, leading to further mistrust and confusion in their already strained relationship. Tensions escalate during their conversation, and before they can resolve the issue, Maggie leaves abruptly, driving away in a rush, leaving her parent with more questions than answers.

Following Maggie’s sudden departure, the situation takes an even darker turn when the narrator learns about a fire at Dr. Cell Phone. The news of the fire shakes the narrator, and their worry intensifies when Leonard Summers, an investigator, reaches out to them with unsettling news. Summers reveals that the fire was no accident and raises suspicions about Maggie’s possible involvement in the incident. The narrator is confronted with the difficult possibility that their daughter, whom they have tried so hard to protect, may be involved in something far more serious than they could have ever anticipated. Summers mentions Maggie’s past behaviors and decisions, suggesting that this might not be an isolated incident. The narrator is caught between disbelief and fear, unsure of how to reconcile the Maggie they once knew with the emerging reality that she might be entangled in something dangerous and illegal.

As the chapter progresses, the narrator is forced to confront the stark contrast between their love for Maggie and their growing concerns about the decisions she is making. The emotional burden of protecting a child who is increasingly making questionable choices weighs heavily on the narrator. A parent’s instinct to shield their child from harm battles with the harsh reality that sometimes, protecting them means allowing them to face the consequences of their actions. The narrator is conflicted over whether to lie to shield Maggie from the fallout or to face the truth, which could bring about painful but necessary accountability. These moral and emotional dilemmas leave the narrator in a state of turmoil, realizing that the lies they’ve told themselves in the past might only complicate the healing process moving forward. The chapter closes with a sense of impending conflict, leaving readers anxious to see how the narrator will navigate the difficult path ahead as they deal with both Maggie’s choices and the complex dynamics of their family.