Chapter 22: Summary, Character Analysis, and Discussion Questions

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(Note: This page contains no direct quotes longer than 12 words; all analysis is original.)

Summary

The chapter opens with Margo waking up in JB's massive four-poster bed, feeling happier than she ever has, despite a sprained ankle from the previous night's fall. Her breasts are painfully full of milk, and JB is curled around her. She experimentally rolls her ankle and finds it swollen but not as painful as she feared. Her phone buzzes with a call from Jinx, which goes to voicemail. When she checks, she sees six missed calls, and her stomach drops—she immediately assumes something is wrong with Bodhi.

She calls Jinx back, and he tells her that someone is there for a home inspection for Bodhi's well-being. Margo panics, thinking it's the 730 evaluation, but Jinx clarifies that it's a CPS worker who arrived unannounced. The worker, Maribel, says that if Margo can't be there in fifteen minutes, she'll take Bodhi to her office. JB drives Margo back in under eight minutes, but Margo insists on going in alone, not wanting to explain who JB is. She hobbles up the stairs in last night's clothes, her hair a mess, and finds Jinx sitting with a pregnant woman named Maribel on the pink velvet couch.

Maribel introduces herself as being with Child Protective Services and explains that they received a complaint of possible neglect and abuse. She has already walked through the apartment with Jinx. Margo asks if Maribel is going to take Bodhi, and Maribel says that if they don't find imminent danger, he can remain. Maribel begins questioning Margo about her overnight absence, and Margo admits it was her first night away. Maribel then asks about Margo's work; Jinx says she has a website, and Margo tries to pass off her OnlyFans as a content-creator gig, but Maribel already knows about the OnlyFans account. Margo is terrified, especially when Maribel asks about the 730 evaluation and paternity case.

Maribel notices Margo's sprained ankle and asks if she had been drinking; Margo denies it. Maribel then asks about Bodhi's personality, and while Margo tries to describe him, Bodhi has a massive blowout. Maribel insists on changing him herself, which feels like a power move. She notes a bit of diaper rash, and Margo explains she's been treating it with Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Maribel then asks to see Bodhi's room. Margo shows her the room, which contains a single toy and a closet where Margo has hidden a toilet-paper bundle of syringes (leftover from Jinx's earlier injections). Maribel doesn't notice the syringes, but Margo is on edge.

Back at the dining table, Maribel questions Jinx's work history—Margo says he's retired from professional wrestling—and then asks about substance abuse. Margo admits Jinx has had problems in the past but is in treatment. Maribel asks both Margo and Jinx to provide urine samples. Margo reveals that Jinx has been on methadone for about ten days. Maribel's tone changes, and she explains that California courts treat methadone like heroin, so Jinx will need to get off methadone for Bodhi to stay in the home. Margo argues that methadone has a much higher success rate than twelve-step programs, but Maribel insists it's policy. Maribel says she will contact other family members, Bodhi's pediatrician, and Margo's lawyer, then leaves with the urine samples.

Key Events

Margo wakes up at JB's apartment, happy but with a sprained ankle, and discovers six missed calls from Jinx.
Jinx tells her a CPS worker is at the apartment for an unannounced home inspection.
JB drives Margo back, but she goes in alone to avoid explaining their relationship.
Maribel, a pregnant CPS worker, questions Margo about her overnight absence, her OnlyFans work, and the pending 730 evaluation.
Maribel inspects Bodhi's room and performs a physical exam, noting diaper rash.
Maribel questions Jinx's wrestling career and substance abuse history.
Maribel requires urine samples from both Margo and Jinx.
Margo discloses that Jinx has been on methadone for about ten days.
Maribel states that Jinx must get off methadone for Bodhi to remain in the home, citing California court policy.
Maribel says she will contact family members, Bodhi's pediatrician, and Margo's lawyer, then leaves with the samples.

Character Development

Margo is thrust into a state of extreme vulnerability. Her initial happiness with JB is shattered by the reality of her precarious situation. She is forced to lie about her work, her relationship, and her father's addiction, all while trying to appear as a competent mother. Her anxiety is palpable—she quivers, forgets to breathe, and feels like the world is ending. The chapter reveals her deep fear of losing Bodhi and her willingness to protect her family at any cost, even if it means hiding the truth. Her argument with Maribel about methadone shows her intelligence and her desperation to defend her father's treatment, but also her powerlessness against institutional policy.

Jinx is portrayed as helpless and ashamed. He can't meet Margo's eye, he bounces Bodhi ineffectively, and he looks