Summary

In Chapter 14, "November 2002," despite the Central parents' continued conflicts, the "high school carried on with its usual life" (268). One day after rehearsal, Noelle and Gee talked intimately in the hall. Gee told her about Ray. Noelle told him about her abortion. They held each other. A white classmate saw them together.

The next day, a group of white boys attacked Gee. He was sent to the emergency room for his injuries. Jade was furious. All Gee could think about was "the feeling of being overpowered" by his attackers (275). When Noelle came to visit, Jade was upset. She overheard Noelle and Lacey arguing. Lacey made racist comments about Gee. The mothers got into a fight.

That night, Noelle "announced she was moving out" (279). She took her things and headed to Ruth's. Ruth let her stay. Over the following days, Noelle and Ruth's son Bailey...