Keesha's House

Stephie met Keesha in seventh grade during field day. Keesha excelled at hurdles and long jump, and she continues to perform impressively in track and field. Stephie compares the hurdles of track and field to the obstacles of life. She wonders if Jason will stay with her and help confront life’s adversities. Stephie thinks about how young people’s worth is measured through sports and grades, but conspicuous standards don’t account for what happens inside a person. Stephie assumes people judge her because she’s pregnant, but their perceptions come from appearance, not direct knowledge of her situation.

Stephie is in the hospital, and she pages Jason. Jason angers his coach by choosing to be with Stephie instead of playing in the basketball game. Stephie is bleeding, and the baby might die. Jason realizes he wants the child. There’s hope the baby will survive, but at 4:20 am, the doctor declares that the “fetus is no longer living” (63). Jason’s presence makes Stephie realize that he’s “right” for her, and Stephie and Jason both feel a mix of sadness, love, and relief.