Chapter 16: Pregnant? – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lisa tells Maverick she might be pregnant. Maverick goes to Mr. Wyatt’s store to buy pregnancy tests but has no money; Mr. Wyatt agrees to deduct the cost from Maverick’s pay. Lisa takes two tests at Maverick’s house; both show two lines—positive. Devastated, Lisa considers abortion or adoption; Maverick promises to support whatever she chooses. When Faye returns home, Maverick tells her Lisa is pregnant. Faye is heartbroken, cries, and expresses that she feels she has failed as a mother. After realizing Maverick has no plan, she decides to take him to visit his father in prison.
Key Events
- Lisa reveals she is late and has been sick; Maverick worries the baby might be his.
- Maverick walks twenty minutes to the east‑side Wal‑Mart but lacks money for a test.
- He goes to Mr. Wyatt’s store, where Mr. Wyatt agrees to let him pay from his paycheck after admonishing him.
- Maverick brings two tests home; Lisa drinks soda to fill her bladder, then takes the tests.
- Both tests come back positive; Lisa cries and discusses options with Maverick.
- Faye returns with dinner; they tell her the news.
- Faye becomes upset, questions her parenting, and decides they need to visit Maverick’s father in prison.
Character Development
- Maverick – Faced with another potential child, he at first panics but quickly commits to supporting Lisa. He shows growth by refusing to sell drugs to get money and by telling Lisa, “We in this together.” His inability to articulate a plan when Faye asks what he will do underscores his immaturity.
- Lisa – Initially angry, then terrified. She is responsible enough to consider her options (abortion, adoption) rather than simply acting on impulse. Her trust in Maverick grows when he promises to stand by her.
- Faye – Her reaction is one of deep disappointment and self‑blame. She reveals the strain of raising Maverick alone and the pain of seeing him repeat mistakes. Her decision to take Maverick to see his father signals a turning point in how she handles the crisis.
- Mr. Wyatt – Serves as a stern but caring mentor. He scolds Maverick but still helps him, reinforcing the theme of community support.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Responsibility and Consequences – The chapter centers on the weight of unprotected sex. Maverick must face the real‑world results of a single “accident.”
- Motherhood and Sacrifice – Faye’s tears and her question “Have I failed you?” highlight the emotional burden she carries as a single mother trying to give her son a better life.
- Financial Struggle – Maverick’s lack of money for the test (and later for abortion) underscores the economic pressures that trap young people in Garden Heights.
- Support Systems – Mr. Wyatt’s loan, Lisa’s willingness to call her father, and Maverick’s promise to stand by Lisa all show that survival requires a network, even when the situation is painful.
- Prison as a Turning Point – Faye’s decision to visit Maverick’s father in prison suggests that confronting the past may be necessary to change the future.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 16 is the emotional pivot of the novel. Lisa’s pregnancy forces Maverick out of his half‑hearted attempt at “getting it together” and into a crisis that affects everyone around him. The chapter strips away his bravado: he cannot hide behind gang loyalty or teenage rebellion. Faye’s raw grief and her choice to involve Maverick’s imprisoned father signal that Maverick can no longer handle problems alone. This chapter sets up the central conflict of the second half of the book: can Maverick break the cycle and become the father he never had?
Study Questions
1. Why does Maverick go to Mr. Wyatt’s store instead of Wal‑Mart?
Maverick only has two dollars in his wallet, not enough to buy a pregnancy test at Wal‑Mart. He knows that Mr. Wyatt will let him pay later by deducting the cost from his paycheck, so he goes to the local store despite the embarrassment.
2. What options does Lisa consider, and how does Maverick respond?
Lisa mentions abortion (at a downtown clinic) and adoption. She also briefly thinks about calling her father to pay for an abortion. Maverick tells her, “Whatever you decide I’m on board,” and promises to support her choice without pressuring her.
3. Why does Faye decide to take Maverick to see his father in prison?
When Faye asks Maverick what his plans are, he has no answer. This lack of direction convinces her that he needs to confront the source of his example—his father. She believes the visit may help Maverick understand the consequences of his choices and motivate him to take responsibility.