An American Marriage: Part 3, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Roy notes that Celestial’s looks are different—she’s sadder, and her scent has changed too. He reflects on how welcoming and comforting Davina had been when he first got out. Celestial asks how he feels and he tells her she could say she’s glad to see him. She tells him she’s happy he’s been released and asks if he’s eaten, but she doesn’t have anything to cook. Roy asks again about Andre and Celestial confirms that she is with Andre now. Roy says he doesn’t care what happened while he was gone, but he does care about what their future is. Celestial lets Roy kiss her all over, and he says he’ll forgive her if she asks him to.

Someone rings the doorbell and both Celestial and Roy jump. Tamar is at the door with her baby Jelani, saying he wants to see his uncle Andre. She asks if Celestial is all right and then sees Roy. Celestial introduces them before inviting Tamar inside and disappearing into the kitchen. Tamar tells Roy that Jelani taught himself to crawl and Roy asks if the baby takes after her husband. Tamar says she’s single but that the baby looks very much like his father.

Roy asks if he can hold the baby and picks him up. He thinks about whether this is about how old he was when Big Roy made him his junior. Celestial returns with champagne flutes, and Celestial and Tamar talk about fabric while Roy entertains Jelani. He thinks about how his child with Celestial would be four or five now, and how Celestial wouldn’t be with Andre if they’d had their baby.