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Angelica
Tyrone is Babygirl’s father. He and Emoni dated briefly when Emoni was a freshman (he’s a year older), had sex a handful of times, and then broke off their romantic relationship not far into Emoni’s pregnancy. Emoni describes Tyrone as a pretty boy who’s skilled at using “pretty words” to get what he wants—that is, he knew how to flatter Emoni and convince her to have sex with him. She sees him as untrustworthy and disappointing due to his behavior. He saw other girls while Emoni was pregnant (and blamed his desire to not be exclusive on Emoni’s changing body), and while he refused to take the paternity test, he didn’t stand up for Emoni when his parents insisted he take one. Emoni recognizes that Tyrone is a good dad—he shows up on time to get Babygirl, and Babygirl clearly adores him—but a terrible partner. For instance, he jealously tries to forbid Emoni from dating (though he continues to date lots of girls), and he’s unsupportive of her college plans or her dreams to be a chef. Ultimately, after Tyrone gets a job and his own apartment, Emoni agrees to let him to take Babygirl for longer weekend visits and okays a weeklong vacation in the summer.
Tyrone Quotes in With the Fire on High
The With the Fire on High quotes below are all either spoken by Tyrone or refer to Tyrone. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
33. Santi
Quotes
But Malachi isn’t listening to Leslie. His eyes are on me. If there was one thing I learned once my belly started showing it’s that you can’t control how people look at you, but you can control how far back you pull your shoulders and how high you lift your chin. Boys think of only two things when they find out you had a baby: thing (1) that you’re too much baby-mama drama, or thing (2) that you’re easy.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
41. I Been Grown
Quotes
“Emoni, pregútate, are you ready? If you have this baby, your life will no longer be about you. Every decision you make will have to include this child. You can’t be selfish anymore; you can’t put your wants above the baby’s. This is the last time someone will ask you what you want before asking you what your baby needs. Piénsalo bien.”
76. When It Rains
Quotes
The guard is new, and I know he doesn’t know me or my circumstances because all he can do is remind me of the same tired rules. “If you want your phone back, you’ll need a signed release form from your parent or guardian.”
And I almost laugh in his face when he utters those words. I can sign permission slips for my own daughter but can’t sign one for myself.
“Sir, I really think you should speak to my advisor. I have a kid. I need my phone.”
77. It Pours
Quotes
She’s off before I can wave back. Before I can say thank you. Before I can say I always have plenty of Children’s Tylenol. Before I can ask her why Tyrone wasn’t the one to pick up Babygirl, or why I’m accused of being the irresponsible one but he’s so often excused from having to be as much of a father as I am a mother.
Get the entire With the Fire on High LitChart as a printable PDF.
Tyrone Quotes in With the Fire on High
The With the Fire on High quotes below are all either spoken by Tyrone or refer to Tyrone. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
33. Santi
Quotes
But Malachi isn’t listening to Leslie. His eyes are on me. If there was one thing I learned once my belly started showing it’s that you can’t control how people look at you, but you can control how far back you pull your shoulders and how high you lift your chin. Boys think of only two things when they find out you had a baby: thing (1) that you’re too much baby-mama drama, or thing (2) that you’re easy.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
41. I Been Grown
Quotes
“Emoni, pregútate, are you ready? If you have this baby, your life will no longer be about you. Every decision you make will have to include this child. You can’t be selfish anymore; you can’t put your wants above the baby’s. This is the last time someone will ask you what you want before asking you what your baby needs. Piénsalo bien.”
76. When It Rains
Quotes
The guard is new, and I know he doesn’t know me or my circumstances because all he can do is remind me of the same tired rules. “If you want your phone back, you’ll need a signed release form from your parent or guardian.”
And I almost laugh in his face when he utters those words. I can sign permission slips for my own daughter but can’t sign one for myself.
“Sir, I really think you should speak to my advisor. I have a kid. I need my phone.”
77. It Pours
Quotes
She’s off before I can wave back. Before I can say thank you. Before I can say I always have plenty of Children’s Tylenol. Before I can ask her why Tyrone wasn’t the one to pick up Babygirl, or why I’m accused of being the irresponsible one but he’s so often excused from having to be as much of a father as I am a mother.
