Chapter 9: Rock Bottom Summary and Analysis

When Tina catches Ike in bed with Ann Thomas, she insists that the woman move out of their house. The woman moves out, but it doesn't stop Ike's infidelity. When Ann shows up one day like nothing happened, Tina chases her with a hammer. Ike never gives Tina her own money—he buys her what she needs. She steals some money from his wallet one day and buys a new wig. He finds out and beats her. She finally gets the nerve to leave him but he tracks her down on the bus. She returns home to face the first of many wire hanger beatings.

Ike is now using cocaine and his fuse is shorter than ever. Tina discovers that she and Ann Thomas are both pregnant at the same time with Ike's children. Tina feels...