Words on Bathroom Walls

The day of the baby shower, Adam bakes dessert and tries to stay as removed from the party as possible. He hangs out with Maya, who tells him what it will be like having a baby in the house. Since Adam is old enough to be responsible, Maya assumes he’ll end up taking care of the baby more than siblings normally do. But knowing his limitations makes Adam realize he won’t be “the big brother my mom needed me to be” (220).

After the guests leave, Paul’s mother, who has a deep prejudice again Adam for his mental illness, pointedly asks where Adam will live after the baby is born. Adam’s mother flies into a rage and Paul takes his mom home before there is violence. Later, Adam asks Paul if he’s worried the baby will have schizophrenia. Paul isn’t worried about this; he jokes that Adam’s mom “could out-crazy you” any day (224). They laugh and drop the subject.

At school, a group of men from the Knights of Columbus visit to talk about the organization. Halfway through the presentation, Rebecca grabs Adam’s hand. Two big men bang their way into the room.