Chapters 16 through 24 Summary

In chapter sixteen, Gerald and Angel note that Jordan looks "harder and meaner", even though he smiles at them when they come through the door. Gerald is no longer the scared child who had tried to avoid a fight with Jordan prior to his arrest. At seventeen, he's an athlete and has found courage to stand up to anything that threatens Angel. He looks directly at Jordan and says that Jordan will not be allowed to stay in the apartment with them. However, Jordan says that he is Angel's father and that the courts have granted him visitation. He says that he is going to make a "big happy family" regardless of what Gerald wants. Jordan then says that Monique has forgiven him and that Gerald should do the same. He says that he's been rehabilitated.

Monique is "fluttery and excited...