65 pages 2 hours read

Catherine Ryan Hyde

Pay It Forward

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Chapters 22-26

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 22 Summary: “Arlene”

Arlene runs into Reuben at a gas station after not seeing him for months. He tries to ignore her, but she accosts him, trying to explain herself, wanting a response out of Reuben. Reuben says that the only way Ricky has been a father is by impregnating Arlene. Arlene tries to stand up for Ricky and Reuben drives away without responding.

Arlene gets back to the house and yells at Ricky for being lazy and not having a job. Confused as to where all her antagonism is coming from, Ricky says he’ll find a job after being sober for a while, which Arlene says is his own fault, and then explains that she had to work as she was getting sober. Ricky complains that he can’t do anything right and that they never have sex anymore. Arlene responds coldly, and Ricky makes racist comments about her having sex with Reuben. Trevor interrupts them, then goes back into his room. Arlene follows him and apologizes, then tells Trevor she ran into Reuben at the gas station. Trevor is uninterested and says Reuben doesn’t ask about her. Arlene admits she made a mistake, and Trevor tells her to fix it.

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