Keesha's House

Content Warning: The section of the guide discusses substance abuse, drug violence, anti-gay bias, child abuse, sexual abuse, incarceration, and bullying.

Stephie is the first voice in each section dedicated to the teen characters. Stephie's main conflict is her pregnancy. The development gives her a new identity, which clashes with the image her parents have of her as “a carefree teenage girl with nothing / big to worry me” (3). The pregnancy wasn’t planned, and Stephie can’t reconcile the mistake with her belief that her parents’ home represents perfection. Aside from Jason, Keesha is the character that has the biggest impact on Stephie. Stephie confides in Keesha, and Keesha offers her a safe space at the house.

Though Keesha is helpful and supportive, there’s tension between her and Stephie. When Stephie calls her parents and they retrieve her, Keesha thinks, “Of course I’m glad / she has a home, a brother, parents / that want her there. Whatever” (24). The passive-aggressive tone suggests jealousy, but it does not affect their friendship. Stephie has privileges that Keesha lacks. Unlike Keesha, Stephie has options. She chose to run away, and then, because she had a supportive family, she decided to go back to them.