Keesha's House

Stephie is in the hospital, and she pages Jason. Jason angers his coach by choosing to be with Stephie instead of playing in the basketball game. Stephie is bleeding, and the baby might die. Jason realizes he wants the child. There’s hope the baby will survive, but at 4:20 am, the doctor declares that the “fetus is no longer living” (63). Jason’s presence makes Stephie realize that he’s “right” for her, and Stephie and Jason both feel a mix of sadness, love, and relief.

Tobias visits Keesha at the house. He has a burn on his arm. Keesha suspects her father, but the burn relates to “drugs and gangs.” To earn money, Tobias works for Jermaine and Dan, and they think Tobias is deceiving them. Keesha worries about gang members or police coming to the house, and she wonders if she should talk to their dad. Tobias doesn’t want to draw Keesha into his problems, as their father’s substance use disorder has worsened.

Dontay has stayed at six houses in four weeks, and he’s back at Jermaine and Dan’s place. Dan wants to involve Dontay in drugs. He tells Dontay that the job is simple: Take the bag to Seventh Street and return with the money. Dontay senses leaves their house. He’s aware of Tobias’s situation; he owes them $300 because the recipients disapproved of his delivery.

Carmen’s court date is tomorrow, and she hopes she receives the judge who knows her grandmother. Her grandmother visits her with a dress so that she’ll look respectable. Her grandmother believes in her and stresses the importance of truth. Carmen wonders if she can truly change her behavior and stop drinking.

After school and on weekends, Harris goes to the library, where he completes his homework and listens to music. In the bathroom, he brushes his teeth, washes his hair, and shaves. Sometimes, he plays video games in the youth section, where there’s a sign that advises adults not to leave children unattended. There are people younger than Harris in his situation, and Harris watches over them.

There are predatory adults at the library, and one man compliments Harris’s red hair, asks for a photo, and offers to drive him somewhere. Harris wishes the library could be a safe space, and, as he’s about to be a dishwasher at the Pancake House, he thinks about dishwashing safety. Harris plans to make use of the bathroom at work.

Katie and Harris partnered on a lab report when they were freshmen, and Katie once sat next to him on a field trip. Now, they’re coworkers, and Harris’s car means that Katie doesn’t have to consider quitting school to make it easier to get to the Pancake House on time. Katie pays for gas, and after two weeks, she realizes that Harris lives in his car. She talks to Keesha, and Keesha says Harris can move into the house if he can pay for food.

At first, kids would appear and announce that they were looking for Joe’s house. The young people could stay for a week or a year. Kids can still stay for as long as they want, but now they ask for Keesha’s house, so Joe lets Keesha take charge. She assesses the situation and helps them find a room. Joe trusts Keesha, but he’s too young to be her father figure and too old to be her romantic partner.

Charles receives a letter from Dontay’s foster father, telling him that Dontay has run away. Charles is suspicious of the foster family and thinks they took Dontay to get extra money from the government. Charles prays that Dontay will be fine and stay out of trouble. In about a year, Charles will get out of jail.

Anthony thinks Dontay’s parents blame them for Dontay’s disappearance, but Anthony and his wife, Lenora, keep the front porch light on for him, and they keep his bed made. If Dontay wants to come back, he’s welcome. Anthony realizes the family rules might not help Dontay as much as their other kids.

Judge Davison believes the juvenile system should protect communities and the kids. She’s not trying to put kinds in jail; she’s trying to do what’s best. She knows Carmen’s history. The judge believes Carmen will be fine, and she’ll let her go home.

Through Tobias, William knows where Keesha is staying, and he feels she’s “better off.” However, William wonders what would happen if he went to Keesha’s house and promised not to drink—maybe Keesha would return home. William has tried to quit drinking twice, and he doesn’t feel like the Twelve Steps program can help him. He feels like pride and love are battling inside him.

King, Harris’s dog, and Jeannine miss Harris, and Jeannine wonders where he is. Greg, Harris’s dad, refers to the “theft” of the clothes and blankets, but Jeannine hopes Harris is warm and has a safe place to stay. Jeannine doesn’t agree with Greg and his anti-gay beliefs.

Martha dreams that Katie wears the blue skating costume she wore when she was 17. Someone pushes Katie, and Katie falls, and no one helps her. Martha wonders if Joe is helping Katie or abusing her. Katie tells Martha she’s safe at Keesha’s house, and Martha wonders why Katie acts icily toward her.