Gerald and Angel return from playing outside and find Aunt Queen on the ground. They panic and call 911. An ambulance comes, and the driver recognizes Angel, asking her if she has anymore “breaks and bruises” (46). As the ambulance leaves, Monique and Jordan return to the house. Gerald and Angel go with them to the hospital. In the waiting room, Jordan refuses to wait with them at the hospital and goes home to watch a baseball game on television. After a while, a doctor tells Monique, Gerald, and Angel that Aunt Queen has died. Gerald, Monique, and Angel are very upset. Monique tells Gerald that he will now live with her and Jordan and Angel. Monique calls Jordan to tell him the news, but Jordan doesn’t seem thrilled.

Six months later, and two weeks before Christmas, Gerald is unhappy at Monique and Jordan’s apartment. His bicycle was stolen, and the apartment is very small and cold, but Gerald has gotten very close with Angel. Jordan is often drunk and physically abusive with Angel and Monique. Gerald is very protective of Angel and stands up to Jordan.