decides to take Maya back to California to live, for she fears the racism of Stamps. In California, Maya must compete with Dolores for her father's attention. When Maya seems to be winning, Dolores turns on her. After insulting Maya, she stabs her with the scissors. The act brings back to Maya thoughts of her frightening past. As a result, she decides to run away. For over a month she survives in a junkyard commune of runaways, where she finds her independence and a sense of self-worth. When she return to live Vivian, Maya proves that she can overcome the struggles of life. She gets a job as the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco and graduates from high school even though she is eight months pregnant at the time. Her independence and womanhood converg
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