When she left the store, emboldened, receipt tucked into her purse, folded twice, Janet thought of all the chicken dishes she had not sent back even though they were either half-raw or not what she had ordered. Chicken Kiev instead of chicken Marsala, chicken with mushrooms instead of chicken a la king: her body was made up of the wrong chickens.
Janet, after leaving the store feeling empowered, reflects on her past dining experiences where she accepted subpar chicken dishes without complaint. Despite receiving meals that were improperly cooked or not as requested, she remained passive in those moments. Now, with a sense of newfound confidence, she feels a strong connection to the many times she has silently endured such disappointments.
The metaphor of her body being "made up of the wrong chickens" highlights how her choices in the past have contributed to her current self. Each unsatisfactory dining experience symbolizes a compromise she made, hinting at a deeper struggle with self-assertion and fulfillment in her life. This realization propels Janet towards a courageous mindset, prompting her to take ownership of her choices moving forward.