Summary

David asks his father why he has not had a bar mitzvah. His father responds that it is because they are a secular household. The school’s Valentine’s Day dance, the Love Jam, soon arrives. David and Marlon arrive together at the school gymnasium. During a slow song, David tries to dance with Carmen, but Angel cuts in. David instead dances with Vicki. He notices Angel touch Carmen’s rear and kiss her on the lips. David believes that Angel is doing this specifically to upset him. At Jamaica Players rehearsal, Meghan continues to demonstrate attraction towards David, which appears to upset Marlon.

Beginning on page 214, letters of acceptance from Boston Latin begin to arrive. Kaleem and Kevin receive them. When Marlon says that he received one, David finds it odd that Marlon does not seem more excited. David also finds it odd...