Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
Contents
18. White Canoe
Overview
Kya and Tate’s relationship deepens as she turns fifteen, studies biology, and they explore physical intimacy that Tate halts to protect her. Tate’s father cautions him while praising his college plans. Tate departs early for a summer lab in Chapel Hill, promising to return, reigniting Kya’s fear of being left.
Summary
In 1960, Kya and Tate’s lessons blur into play and affection. Tate surprises Kya with a boat trip to a secluded bay for her fifteenth birthday, bringing a bakery cake with her name and thoughtful gifts: a magnifying glass, a rhinestone barrette, and paints. Kya, unused to celebration, is overwhelmed and grateful.
Meanwhile, Tate helps his father, Scupper, haul out their shrimp boat at Pete’s Boat Yard. Over dinner at the diner, Scupper warns Tate about gossip and cautions him about moving too fast, then expresses pride in Tate’s acceptance to college. That night, Tate recites a favorite line of poetry, dreaming forward.
Tate’s work limits their time, but he keeps bringing books. Kya’s reading accelerates, especially in biology; she absorbs concepts of evolution, development, and birdsong, and searches science for why a mother might abandon her young.
At Christmas, Tate gives Kya a used dictionary stuffed with natural treasures; later he returns with turkey leftovers. In Kya’s kitchen, tender exploration turns intimate until Tate stops, simply holding her. In spring, after the pair spots a rare white bullfrog, passion surges; Tate undresses them but again stops, saying Kya is fifteen and he loves her, refusing to risk harming her.
In May, Tate tells Kya he’s leaving in weeks to start a summer job in a college biology lab. Hurt, Kya runs. Days later, Tate returns to say good-bye sooner than expected, leaving bags of science books and promising to come back for the Fourth of July. They share a long kiss, then part—Tate motoring away as Kya raises a hand and touches it to her heart.
Who Appears
- KyaFifteen; overwhelmed by Tate’s gifts, studies biology, explores intimacy, and fears abandonment when he leaves.
- TateKya’s tutor and boyfriend; protective and patient; gives gifts and books; accepted to college, leaves for summer lab.
- ScupperTate’s father; works the shrimp boat with him, warns about gossip, and expresses pride in Tate’s college plans.