Summary

In Chapter 19, Celia is again drawing at the library. The next day, she wakes to find a spider in her pants and a painful bite on her leg. Rich accompanies her to the free clinic. She has been there before, getting checked for STDs. She remembers that the doctor looked sad when she took a handful of the free condoms. She dreads the idea of being mature enough to get pregnant. The doctor treats the bite and makes the call about a homeless child, but knows that officials will do nothing about it. Back on the street, Rich buys her a sandwich Celia keeps the wrapper. She tries to panhandle, but people seldom give her money. Celia's life with her drug-addicted mother was difficult, and she struggled with head lice until a kind teacher gave her the shampoo to kill them...