Previous
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:
Related Themes:
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.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire With the Fire on High LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
Tyrone Character Timeline in With the Fire on High
The timeline below shows where the character Tyrone appears in With the Fire on High. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
3. Emma
...name on paper, and Emoni didn’t want that for her daughter. That’s why she fought Tyrone, Babygirl’s dad, so hard to name her Emma. As they fought over the name, Emoni...
(full context)
4. Sister Friends
...year, she met Laura at a summer graphic design workshop. Angelica responds by asking if Tyrone is still being a “dick.” Emoni loses herself in her thoughts—Tyrone is, and it’s not...
(full context)
12. On Loss
Tyrone has always been a “pretty boy.” Emoni met Tyrone her freshman year at a party....
(full context)
On the day Emoni lost her virginity, she and Tyrone went to his house. Sex was more technical than Emoni expected—and it hurt. It was...
(full context)
13. Farewells
Before Emoni knows it, it’s Saturday morning—“visitation time.” Tyrone’s parents have pushed for a paternity test for Babygirl for her entire life, but Tyrone...
(full context)
When Tyrone crouches down to hug Babygirl, she runs into his arms. Babygirl is freshly braided and...
(full context)
14. Lovers & Friends
When they first found out that Emoni was pregnant, Emoni and Tyrone tried to make a “non-relationship” work. But Tyrone didn’t want anything serious, and his parents...
(full context)
15. Returns
...around each other all weekend, unwilling to say that they miss Babygirl. As soon as Tyrone brings Babygirl back, Emoni hugs Babygirl close and tells the toddler how much she missed...
(full context)
24. Tantrums and Terrible Twos
...they can’t read it again, wondering if Babygirl has been throwing more tantrums recently because Tyrone and his parents are spoiling her.
(full context)
41. I Been Grown
...to decide whether to have a baby, which was the hardest decision she’s ever made. Tyrone’s parents wanted Emoni to get an abortion, but Tyrone left it up to Emoni. ’Buela...
(full context)
42. Hurricane Season
...while Emoni studies for her ServSafe test and waits for Babygirl to get back from Tyrone’s. Suddenly, ’Buela gasps: a hurricane is threatening Puerto Rico. The last time a hurricane hit,...
(full context)
45. Forgiveness
...figure out how to fit another bed in her room. This is supposed to be Tyrone’s weekend, but he and his family are out of town, so Emoni is glad to...
(full context)
46. Sisterhood
...maybe it was just that Emoni is petite or that people couldn’t figure out why Tyrone chose her. Angelica shut everyone down if they said something mean about Emoni. When Angelica...
(full context)
51. Ramifications
...next morning, Emoni’s phone rings. Emoni is busy washing dishes, so ’Buela answers it. It’s Tyrone. Emoni dries her hands and takes the phone. He asks what Emoni is doing bringing...
(full context)
56. Guess Who’s Back?
...smiles and Pretty Leslie looks angry. Malachi and Emoni texted a bit on Saturday, but Tyrone’s call destroyed some of the magic. Chef Ayden tells Emoni to work with Richard and...
(full context)
57. Visitation
Before Emoni knows it, it’s Saturday and she’s struggling to get Babygirl’s shoes on so Tyrone can take her. Though Emoni clearly needs help, Tyrone is just angrily sitting and doing...
(full context)
Sighing and looking ashamed, Tyrone says it’s fine that they decided not to stay together, but he thought Emoni wasn’t...
(full context)
59. The Bright Side
...just take care of Babygirl all on her own. She doesn’t think she can ask Tyrone, since he’s in school and his parents work odd hours at the hospital. Sighing, ’Buela...
(full context)
67. To the Bone
...usually exhausted just from caring for Babygirl. Some nights she wants to cry from exhaustion. Tyrone has Babygirl for Thanksgiving, so Emoni and ’Buela eat a quiet dinner together and watch...
(full context)
71. Complications
Emoni has always suspected Malachi was interested in her. She believes his actions; after Tyrone, she’d never believe a guy who just tells her he’s interested. She has no idea...
(full context)
73. On Ice
...of the line and Malachi steps up with the tickets, Angelica quietly asks Emoni how Tyrone took this outing. Emoni says nothing, so Angelica hisses. Emoni says she knows Tyrone dates...
(full context)
76. When It Rains
...anxiously and decides that something must be wrong. Finally, the phone rings. It’s Mrs. Palmer, Tyrone’s mom. She huffily explains that Babygirl has a fever; the daycare couldn’t get ahold of...
(full context)
77. It Pours
...Emoni and ’Buela are “too negligent to take care of Emma,” and she’d fully support Tyrone if he ever decides to take Emoni to court for custody.
(full context)
...can thank her and say she has Children’s Tylenol. There’s no time to ask why Tyrone didn’t pick up Babygirl, and why she’s in trouble for being irresponsible when Tyrone only...
(full context)
82. Flash
...Morehouse, so no matter what they’ll be far away come fall. To make matters worse, Tyrone is taking Babygirl this weekend. After he carries her out to the car, Emoni asks...
(full context)
92.
...been throwing tantrums, but hopefully Babygirl will settle into a routine once she goes to Tyrone’s tomorrow. Emoni describes some of the amazing food she’s had in Spain and promises to...
(full context)
98. Smooch
...so Malachi leads her back to the street where they started to kiss some more. Tyrone never kissed or touched Emoni like this, like he genuinely loved her body. When they...
(full context)
102. Boys Will Be
Part of Emoni is afraid to trust Malachi, because Tyrone was like this too. Tyrone complimented Emoni, walked her home, and took her on dates....
(full context)
104. Ready?
...shot and he moved before they went any further. Emoni and Malachi begin kissing slowly. Tyrone was fast and focused on himself the few times he and Emoni had sex, but...
(full context)
115. Accepted
...to celebrate. But when there’s a knock on the door later, it’s not Angelica. It’s Tyrone, and he asks to speak to Emoni. Emoni says she doesn’t have Babygirl ready for...
(full context)
As Tyrone fixes his expression, Emoni realizes that he’s suddenly grown up and seems comfortable in his...
(full context)
117. The Rising
...recipes. Soon, Emoni needs to tell ’Buela about her decision. She also needs to tell Tyrone that she’s okay with his proposed custody agreement.
(full context)
120.
...to stay for a while, though Emoni knows he won’t stay forever. Emoni says that Tyrone is taking Emma on vacation in two weeks, so Emoni would love to come and...
(full context)
