Summary

Bishop Hawkins conducts his interviews in Chapter 12. Katrina knits a scarf for Joylette and keeps one headphone in for her interview. Mei-Li acts hospitable towards Bishop Hawkins, then curses him out in Mandarin when she leaves, under the guise of a farewell. Hawkins questions Esther about what medical care she’s received at Mercy House, then moves on to a different line of questioning, and Evelyn feels proud of Esther for holding her ground against him. Evelyn prays in her mind when it’s time for Desiree’s interview. Desiree is quiet, giving vague answers to Hawkins’ questions. It’s revealed through narration that Desiree still works as a prostitute in and around the Jefferson House Projects, but she wants to “become a high-class call girl, a corporate lady of the night, from streetwalker to Wall Street” (154).

Evelyn is relaxed when it...