Chapter 21- Forged by Fire

Monique began to get better as Gerald and Angel watered down her beer and gave her multivitamins instead of the drugs that she asked for, which they flushed down the toilet happily. Things were getting better. Angel began dancing again, and Gerald began basketball once more. After the basketball game of November 7, Rob and the rest of the team went to the locker room. They joked around with each other and had a good time. Rob invited Gerald to go drinking and hang out, but Gerald had to say no, because he had to be home with Angel. While Gerald was at home, he received a call from Keisha, which is whose house Rob and the others were going to hang out at. She was wondering where Andy was, who was with Rob, and Gerald thought that maybe they just decided to hang out somewhere else. Later, Gerald started to worry, so he called Keisha, B.J., Andy, and Rob. There was no answer from any of these calls. Yet, finally, he reached Rhonda, who gave him very saddening news. Andy ran into a wall with the car, and there was an explosion. Everyone made it out except for Rob. Gerald grieved with Angel over Rob's death, and went to his family's house to share in their grievances for a short time. Then, they went back to their home.

I was deeply saddened to read about Rob's death. Things have gotten bad once more. The cycle of happiness to deep depression will hopefully coming to an end.

Chapter 20- Forged by Fire

Jordan left the apartment and went to a bar after the power went out. He came back later, and his window air conditioner was gone. Jordan began to yell and he hit Monique. Then, when Gerald walked in, Jordan hit him in the face. After that, he stormed out. While Gerald was washing his face, Monique came in and washed her face as well. And, for a split second, she came back to her senses. She realized that she didn't like being hit, and she didn't like that Gerald was hit either. Then, she faded away again, and back to her room to watch the blank TV. Angel and Gerald decided not to call the police, and hoped that they made the right choice.

I wasn't too surprised when Jordan flipped out. I expected him to lose his cool eventually. Yet, I think that Monique getting slapped may have been a good thing. It may have made her progress in healing. I expect that Jordan will act up again. Yet, hopefully, Gerald will have the chance to stop it.

Chapter 19- Forged by Fire

Luckily, Monique did not die from the accident. She just had minor injuries and a head problem. Gerald's mother began to take drugs that Jordan gave her to ease the pain. Also, she would watch TV all of the time, even when it was off, and she would just stare at it.

I'm Monique isn't dead, but her head injury might make her distant from the children. Hopefully, she will heal, and begin to take better care of her children.

Chapter 18- Forged by Fire

Monique has let Jordan move back into the apartment. So far, he has done the best he can to act polite and nice, but Gerald will never trust him. Gerald went out to go play basketball with his friends and left Angel at home with Monique. When he got back, the lights were off, and the door was ajar. Gerald ran in yelling for Angel, but when he found her, she told him she was all right. There was a power outage right after Monique left to get cigarettes for Jordan, and Angel had been alone with her cat since. Later on, Gerald heard sirens very close to their house. He went outside, and found out that his mom had been hit by a car.

Gerald still fears for Angel's saftety, and if it were me, so would I. Hopefully, Monique will be okay. Otherwise, Angel and Gerald are stuck with Jordan.

Chapter 17- Forged by Fire

The Saturday following the days of Jordan's reappearance, Gerald had a basketball game. Angel went to the game with Kiara, Rob's sister, yet so did Jordan and Monique. This made both Angel and Gerald very uncomfortable, and they couldn't act the same afterward. Later, Angel had her big dance recital. Jordan ended up not attending, so Angel did a beautiful job. Monique, Gerald, and the Washington family all went to the show, and they all praised her afterward.

It was great to read about a good thing happening, because ever since Jordan came back, things have been tense and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, knowing this author's style, since something good has happened, something terribly bad must happen. Sadly, the contrast is unrelenting.

Chapter 16- Forged by Fire

Jordan has returned, and he explains that he is a "changed man," and that he's been rehabilitated. Yet, Gerald does not trust him at all, and Angel is terrified in her room. Monique, however, did her best to serve Jordan. Gerald decided to call Mr. Washington. Rob's father came over to Gerald's house so they could talk, and Mr. Washington told Gerald to just keep an eye on Jordan, and write down everything he does. During the days that followed, Jordan kept coming over to Gerald's house so he could stay for dinner with Monique, and then he would leave by nine. Jordan may be back, but so far he has done nothing sinister whatsoever.

I myself do not trust Jordan, even though he hasn't done anything yet. I think that soon he will be up to something, and I don't think he has changed at all.