First-Time Caller

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness.

Lucie’s relationship with Maya drives much of the plot, especially Lucie’s quest for both love and confidence in herself and her choices. Moreover, while Aiden is not a parent himself, he admires Lucie’s family, and their relationship pushes him to a deeper understanding of his own history. For both protagonists, understanding the pitfalls and ultimate value of parenthood is thus key to deepening their romantic bond—a detail that further underscores how parenthood can enrich one’s life.

Parenthood’s importance to the novel is evident in the fact that Lucie’s initial characterization emerges through her interactions with Maya; her first point-of-view chapter centers around Maya’s call with Aiden. This establishes Lucie as ferociously protective, as she panics that Aiden has harmful intentions and orders Maya, “[Y]ou have no seconds, give me your phone” (16). Her strictness in this scene hints at the anxiety that comes with parenting, which can also lead to second guessing—a point emphasized by Lucie’s reaction to discovering Maya’s true motives. Lucie struggles with the revelation that her daughter feels concern for her, fearful that this means she is inadequate as a mother.