Question G

[Jonetta]

We learn from Lauren’s mother, Maggie, that she replaced herself with her daughter, forcing her to work for Kai. Her boyfriend Ken had a strong reaction, as did Bryant. Your thoughts about the scene, Bryant’s emotional response and Maggie’s actions?

[Sharon]

This scene is written exceptionally well. It shows what a terrible mother Maggie is, and how she used her daughter. You can feel Kim and Bryant's disgust. I thought Ken was going to be a jerk, but even he is so turned off by Maggie's actions that he walks away without a discussion.

Bryant is a good father, and can't imagine a parent like Maggie. Her attitude winds him up. Bryant can't let go of his angry and drives like a maniac.

I love that Kim talks him out of buying cigarettes then reminds him of the decent people they were in contact with recently. My favorite line. "You know it's a good job Woody pairs you with me so I can keep you calm." I laughed with Bryant.

[Robin]

I loved that line too, Sharon.

I just can't imagine a mother handing her daughter over to Kai so she can get out of the business. I was very surprised (and happy) when Ken walked out on her after hearing what she did. I didn't expect that to happen.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

This book was full of really awful people. Not sure who was the worst, but Maggie surely would have been up there. It was a bit of a surprise that her boyfriend hadn't worked this out already but even he was disgusted.

Another example of what a great team Bryant and Kim are. They've always got each other's backs whatever the situation.

[Jonetta]

This was an extraordinary scene on a lot of levels.

First, I never saw what Maggie did coming. It’s inconceivable to me that a mother could willingly force her daughter into prostitution, especially one so young. And remember, Gemma later talks about how in demand “Jazzy” was. That almost made me cry, at least I felt like it.

Our first impressions of Ken are pretty low when he’s first introduced. I was ready to put him in the same lousy column as Maggie so his reaction really surprised me. Just because he was loving a good time and doing it off of the welfare system wasn’t a complete reflection of who he was. He was completely repulsed by not only learning what Maggie had done to Lauren but that she’d given up another child. I had a complete shift in thinking about him.

Bryant, again, was “wound up” after Maggie’s acknowledgement of what she’d done to Lauren. His reaction was that of a girl Dad. In that moment, he wasn’t a police detective...he was a father and we rarely see him off of his game. Then we see Kim offering him comfort and wisdom.

No one was as they first seemed in this scene. Kudos to the author of how she illustrated the point about judgments.