Words on Bathroom Walls

Julia WaltonFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017

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Chapters 9-11Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 9 Summary

Adam likes to cook and prides himself on the delicious chicken pad thai he made recently. He has fewer hallucinations when he cooks because it “takes too much of my concentration” (66). At school, Maya sees Adam’s recipe notebook. She tells Adam about her home life: Her mom often works extra shifts at the hospital and her dad stays home to take care of Maya’s twin younger brothers.

Maya comes to Adam’s house for dinner one night, and Adam cooks for her. The food is amazing, and the conversation isn’t as awkward as Adam feared. After dinner, Adam and Maya study for the Academic Team, and have a more personal conversation. They have fun together, and Adam realizes “I really like her” (74).

Chapter 10 Summary

At Adam’s first Academic Team practice, Maya and Dwight answer most of the questions. Despite this, Adam gets in a few responses, usually to movie or literature questions. While his contribution isn’t as large as Maya or Dwight’s, he feels good about it because “I serve a purpose” (79).

Later that night, Maya texts Adam to ask about when he saved her from drowning. They banter about the incident and the fact that Maya doesn’t know how to swim. Adam jokingly asks if Maya only likes him because he saved her life. When Maya’s response doesn’t come right away, he wonders if she really likes him or if he just made their relationship awkward. Then, Maya replies with another joke, and Adam is relieved he didn’t ruin anything. He ends the conversation thinking he’s “at my most charming in writing” (84).

Chapter 11 Summary

Paul drives Adam to school. The drive is awkward, and Adam wishes his relationship with Paul could go back to how it was before. Though it seems like Paul is making an effort, Adam only remembers what he overheard Paul say after the diagnosis: “Maybe we should think about sending him to a place that can handle him” (87).

During school hours, St. Agatha’s is open to the public. The bathroom in the main hall attracts all manner of people, some of whom write on the walls. Some of the words read “Jesus loves you” and “don’t be a homo” (88). Adam isn’t sure if the two messages are related but thinks both are strange words to write anywhere.

Chapters 9-11 Analysis

In Chapter 11, we finally understand the novel’s title: “Jesus loves you” and “don’t be a homo” are the words on the bathroom wall for which the book is named. On the surface, they don’t seem to have much to do with the novel’s subject, but subtextually, they do connect with some of its themes. “Jesus loves you” is fitting because St. Agatha’s is a Catholic school, but “Jesus” could be replaced with anyone or simply “someone.” The line is a reminder that everyone is loved—a reassurance to Adam that he is never completely alone. On the other hand, “Don’t be a homo” is a derogatory way to police people for standing out, being part of a minority community, and having inherent traits that run counter to strict social rules. Unlike the encompassing love of the “Jesus” message, the threatening warning to stay in line is the same kind of fearful lack of acceptance that Adam feels from Paul and will encounter in Ian—not everyone can learn to tolerate difference, which makes life harder for people like Adam.

Walton introduces cooking as one of Adam’s hobbies. His enjoyment of cooking is two-fold: He likes being good at cooking, and the activity gives him relief from his hallucinations because it focuses his mind on something tangible. Like anyone else, Adam has hobbies he enjoys, but in his case, the hobby offers more than simple fun. It is also a way to manage his mind.