Jolly is one of LaVaughn's friends from the neighborhood. She is eighteen years old with two fatherless children and it's clear that motherhood overwhelms her. Jolly struggles with everything in her life, from paying her bills to completing her homework. Jolly is a clear foil for LaVaughn in the novels - although LaVaughn is three years younger than Jolly, she is more mature and has a brighter future. Jolly is a symbol for children lost in the vicious cycle of poverty and the dangers of growing up without positive role models in one's life.
