Chapter 19

Summary

• Evelyn is about to continue her story when Monique questions whether she was aware that Celia St. James was gay. Evelyn hints that more will be revealed as she continues her story.
• Monique then asks Evelyn who the love of her life was, to which Evelyn finally responds: "Celia St. James."
• When Monique inquires if Evelyn will come out as a gay woman in the book, Evelyn shuts down her assumptions, clarifying that she has also loved men in the past, specifically mentioning a man called Don. She introduces the fact that she is bisexual.
• Monique apologizes for assuming Evelyn's sexuality and shows understanding because of her own experiences of being labeled as black when she identifies as biracial.
• After Monique apologizes and asks if Evelyn will come out as a "bisexual woman" in the book, Evelyn agrees. She also shares how she discovered her feelings for Celia while her husband was cheating on her at the same party, igniting feelings of rage and jealousy.
• She narrates the struggle of accepting those feelings, as society had always conditioned her to be attracted to men. She mentions that it was not easy for her to decode her feelings for Celia as love back then because there was no formula or understanding for that.
• Evelyn finishes by hinting at what happens next at the party – someone came to her.