The White Girl: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

Odette still hasn’t told Sissy what she’s doing when she’s called in for her hearing. Michael, the young welfare officer who fetches her, asks Sissy to wait on the bench. In Michael’s office, Odette explains that she wants exemption certificates for herself and Sissy. Michael says that Sissy can’t have one until she’s 18, but that if Odette is granted her exemption, she can then apply for guardianship of Sissy, as long as she can prove herself capable of the task. It bothers Odette that anyone could question her ability to care for Sissy at this point, but she holds her tongue.

On Michael’s request, Odette produces two sealed letters provided by White people testifying to her character. She doesn’t know what they say, but Michael reads about her stable arrangement with the business owner and Doctor Singer’s sterling opinion of her. Next, Michael shows Odette a copy of Sissy’s birth certificate, asking if she knows who the unnamed father is. Odette says that Sissy’s father was White, but that’s all she knows. Then, he shocks Odette by informing her that Lila applied successfully for an exemption a year and a half earlier. At the time, she denied having any children, fully relinquishing responsibility for Sissy.

Michael asks if Odette has a copy of her own birth certificate, as that document is missing from the file on the desk. She says she does not. When she asks if she can see the file, Michael replies that it’s “confidential” and “the property of the Aborigines Welfare Board.” And then he asks her about the only red flag on her application, the report made by Lowe that she left Deane without permission. Odette doesn’t know what to say. But Michael patiently leads her through the correct response. He tells her that in his letter, Doctor Singer took responsibility for failing to notify Lowe about her urgent need for medical care. Michael says that if Odette were seriously ill, she couldn’t have sought permission from Lowe, correct? And that she must have trusted Singer to do it for her, correct? Uncertainly, Odette agrees.

Michael gathers his papers and asks Odette to wait outside while he makes his decision. She doesn’t have to wait for long. When Michael calls her back, he congratulates her on her successful application, then hands her back her documents, her exemption card,  and a provisional guardianship decree for Sissy. He tells her how to formalize the latter with the correct authorities. Odette feels burning shame when she looks at the card, which legally forbids her from associating with Aboriginal people. But she’s willing to bear it if it allows her to protect Sissy.

When Michael shows Odette out of his office the second time, Sergeant Lowe is on the bench next to Sissy. With barely repressed glee, he informs Odette that she’s about to lose custody of her granddaughter. But Michael tells him he’s too late. Neither Odette nor Sissy remain under his authority now that Odette has her exemption. The policeman will have to prove serious neglect if he wants to take Sissy away from Odette. As Lowe storms off, Michael suggests that Odette stay out of Deane. Icily, she thanks him for the unnecessary advice.

That night, Odette asks Alma if she can hang the photographs of Delores’s daughters on the kitchen wall for safekeeping. Alma says yes and offers to find a spot for Lila’s picture, too. Then Odette tells the Haines family how Michael stood up to Lowe. The young man’s actions made her feel like they were sharing a secret.

When Jack goes outside to smoke a cigarette after dinner, he finds Sergeant Lowe surveilling the house from across the street. Lowe refuses to leave, insists that he has a duty to Sissy because “you people can’t look after yourselves,” and he promises to hound Odette until he finds an excuse to take Sissy away. Jack loses his temper and threatens Lowe, but Lowe saunters off, cooly assured of his own impunity. Alma stops Jack, reminding him that their freedom isn’t worth antagonizing Lowe.