Keesha's House

When Laura, Stephie’s mother, was a teen, she got pregnant, and an “educated” couple adopted the baby. Laura remembers the “joy” of holding the baby and her hectoring parents. Laura won’t lecture Stephie, and though she loves Stephie, she doesn’t believe she can help her. Laura believes Stephie must figure out what to do by herself.

Jason hasn’t spoken to his coach, but Harden hears the rumors and feels unwell. Jason is Harden’s dream player: He made varsity his freshman year, and he is a state all-star. Jason works hard and can play basketball for whatever college he wants. Harden doesn’t think of Jason as a person who avoids responsibilities. He thinks Jason cares about Stephie, but he can’t get over Jason’s talent.

Mrs. Mason, Dontay’s caseworker, thought she put Dontay in a positive place. The foster family is kind, and they are the same “race” as Dontay. The family planned to join the pool, where Dontay could learn to swim. Dontay said he didn’t like swimming or the foster family’s neighborhood. Mrs. Mason doesn’t know if the foster family will take him back or if Dontay can change. However, she believes Dontay has a “good” heart.

Roberta is upset and struggles to keep her composure. She wants to get Carmen out of the juvenile detention center and help her, but she is overwhelmed. She still can’t believe that LaRayne, Carmen’s mother, left Carmen, and she blames Carmen’s new husband, whom Roberta refers to as an “ugly thing.”

Harris complains to Hyde about the anti-gay note in his locker and the boy, Bradley Smith, who pushed Harris during lunch. Bradley’s mother is a lawyer, so Hyde is wary about acting: His mother might sue the high school. Hyde gives Harris a “pamphlet” and tells him to reconsider his style and stand up to bullies. Hyde believes Harris can’t know for certain that he’s gay, and he talks about the “pretty girls” in the world.

Mrs. Goldstein notices that Katie’s grades have gone from As to Cs and Ds. She knows Katie isn’t finishing the reading assignments, and she senses a lack of “heart” in Katie’s writing. Katie is sleepy during class, but she won’t stay after and talk to Mrs. Goldstein because she must get to work. Today, Katie didn’t turn in an essay worth half the midterm grade. Mrs. Goldstein will grant her an extension.

Stephie cries in a gloomy late-night donut shop. Keesha comes in and brightens the atmosphere. Keesha’s piercing eyes compel Stephie to talk about her pregnancy, and Keesha mentions a store that sells used baby items. Stephie and Keesha talk for two hours, then Keesha shows her the house, and Stephie finds a room opposite Keesha’s. Stephie hears people fighting outside and wonders if she can raise a baby by herself. She realizes she can’t buy what she truly needs—“strength,” “patience,” and a reliable partner.

Jason feels like he’s playing two different positions for two separate teams. He wants Stephie to return and to be a star basketball player. Before today’s game, people circulated missing-person posters of Stephie. Last year, a girl went missing until people found her body in the river.

Jason wants to make up for the missed free throw in last week’s game. He and his team have potential, but next year, he could be watching ESPN with Stephie and their baby instead of playing for the college basketball team on ESPN.

While playing basketball, Jason’s environment sometimes becomes “clear and silent,” a signal that he’ll make the shot and everything will be fine. The moment is fleeting, but Jason wishes it would last.

Stephie’s parents find her, and she goes home with them. Keesha has mixed feelings about Stephie, calling Stephie “lucky” because she has caring parents and a devoted boyfriend. Keesha recalls a girl under the Fourth Street Bridge—no parents searched for her. Keesha told Stephie not to tell her parents about the house. Keesha wonders if her father thinks of her. She notices that Tobias, her brother, hangs out with older kids. He’ll do whatever they want.

Dontay goes to Carmen’s house. Carmen’s cousins play while Carmen’s grandmother is on the phone. Afterward, Carmen’s grandmother tells Dontay about Carmen’s situation, and Dontay feels like she blames him.

After a few hours at the library, Dontay goes to Jermaine and Dan’s house, where they listen to music, eat pizza, and drink beer. Dontay worries his caseworker will locate him and try to place him with another “nice couple” who will grow tired of him.

Carmen thinks about the amount of control the juvenile detention center authorities possess. She notices a camera in the corner of her cell. Carmen maintains hope by staring at a tree branch. She thinks of fairytale princesses, but she knows a glass slipper or a prince won’t come along and make everything ok. The authorities give the inmates two sheets of paper, and Carmen writes to stay alive. She has a dream about her grandmother and a squirrel.

Harris needs food and clothes, so he uses the hidden key to go into his house, and gathers clothes, food, toiletries, and a sleeping bag. King, the family dog, wants to play with him, but Harris is in a hurry. He wonders what would happen if his father caught him. Maybe his father would apologize, or perhaps he would take his car, too.

Last night brought eight inches of snow, so school is canceled. Katie reads a magazine, drinks coffee, and remembers the last time she felt safe. It was 10 years ago with her overworked father. He put her in a purple snowsuit and took her sledding. The same year, Katie’s mother told her that her father “went off the deep / end” (56). Katie didn’t understand the phrase, but she now knows what it means. Last month, her stepfather tried to abuse her, and she fought him, giving him four deep scratches. She feels like she has gone off the deep end, so no one can reach her.