Summary

Chapter Twenty-Two begins with Maddie getting flowers at home from Penny. Ben does not text that night but the next morning she has flowers and treats from him. She tells Shu and Nia and they come over and make her shower. They stalk Ben and Sophie on social media, and Shu says Ben gives a racist vibe. Maddie says that is a strong accusation, and Shu explains that “there’s levels to that shit” (166). There is “obvious stuff you can’t ignore. But all them layers underneath the ones that are harder to see, microaggression and unconscious bias? Giving your white girlfriend jewelry, boat rides, and meet-and-greets with the family, but your Black girlfriend pasta in your house? Racism, hun” (166). Nia tells Maddie she is not the problem and Maddie asks, “I’m not?” (167). Nia says, “You need a boyfriend who is actively...