Aubrey gets drunk and Nadia babysits her, the former expressing her hope that Nadia will stay in contact once she leaves for university in Michigan.

As they spend more time together, Aubrey is revealed to be shy and a virgin, and Nadia decides to take her to a Cody Richardson party, where she previously confronted Luke. Luke carries regret over his abandonment of Nadia, but is beholden to his mother for providing him with the money for the abortion. Sheppard cherishes Aubrey over her consistently. The last man, Paul, a police officer in Chicago, was abusive to Aubrey and her mother. Sheppard paid for Nadia's abortion, which is her source of disdain for the girl.Īs Nadia and Aubrey get close, Nadia learns that her friend lives with her sister Monique and her girlfriend Kasey because her mother has a penchant for moving around with her lovers. Sheppard, but also befriends Aubrey Evans, a quiet girl who is dedicated to the congregation and seems to have no other friends. While working there, she is treated with tempered scorn by the pastor's wife, Mrs. Soon, the pastor visits the Turner home and offers Nadia a job assisting his wife at the chapel-a job she is forced to take by her father. Upset, she gets drunk and crashes her father's truck. After a while, she finds him at a house party where he is distant. He provides the money but abandons her at the abortion clinic. Luke's reaction is muted when Nadia reveals she wants an abortion. Their relationship is sweet and idyllic, with Nadia finding herself falling in love with him until she discovers she is pregnant. While wandering about, Nadia finds herself visiting Fat Charlie's Seafood Shack regularly and spending time with Luke Sheppard, the pastor's son who had a promising football career derailed due to a leg injury. While her father finds comfort by engaging regularly with God at the Upper Room Chapel, Nadia veers from place to place listlessly, waiting out her days before she can go away for college. In the aftermath of her mother's suicide, 17-year-old Nadia Turner finds herself lost in Oceanside, California, distant from the sympathy of friends and neighbors. NOTE: The following version of this book was used to write this study guide: Bennett, Brit.

The mothers brit