54 pages 1 hour read

Terry McMillan

Waiting to Exhale

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

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Chapters 13-18

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 13 Summary: “Control”

Bernadine reveals to Gloria some of the assets her private detective has discovered that John has been trying to hide, including an apartment building, a Subway franchise, and several retirement plans. Bernadine announces that when her divorce is final, she’s done with marriage and will never put herself in this position again. Later, Gloria and Bernadine go shopping, and they run into Robin. Robin tells them that she met a new man at a local grocery store, Troy, and she thinks this one might be the one even though they have only gone on three dates. Bernadine criticizes Robin for sleeping with Troy after so few dates and says she can’t possibly know him well enough to believe he’s the one.

Bernadine is at work preparing for an audit when Herbert calls to ask her to lunch. Bernadine has grown tired of Herbert and tries to brush him off, but he’s becoming clingy. The school calls and says that Bernadine’s daughter, Onika, is running a fever. Bernadine picks her up and takes her home, sitting with her for an hour to be sure the fever comes down. When she is satisfied, Bernadine calls work only to have Onika come to her and complain of being feverish again.

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