Chapters 19 through 21 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 19, Jodie had her last tutoring session before Christmas and Cathy's kids were on break from their schools. Jodie had become more hostile and violent, kicking and punching and shouting orders to get out of her house. Jodie had become possessive of Cathy and demanded most of her time and attention. The other kids tried to avoid confrontations with her. Jodie began to reject any show of affection from Cathy. She didn't want hugs or kisses. Perhaps as she allowed more to come to the surface, she began to associate affection with the horrors she had endured.

Paula wished that she was still in school. She feared that Jodie would ruin their Christmas. Paula had stopped bringing friends home because of her. Lucy was tired of talking about Jodie - it had become their only topic of conversation...