Chapter 12 Summary

The townspeople soon notice that Janie is spending all her time with Tea Cake, and it makes them mad. Janie has stopped attending church, and she wears blue like the young girls do, just because Tea Cake likes it. They think Joe Starks is probably rolling over in his grave.

One night, Sam Watson tells Phoeby, his wife , that she ought to have a talk with Janie. Although Phoeby tells her husband malice and jealousy have the others talking—since they all want Janie's money and property for themselves—she goes on over to Janie's house and tells her she is taking an awfully big chance on Tea Cake. Janie admits she is, but she plans to marry him. Everybody takes a chance on marriage, and she has been through it twice already. This time it is for love.

The first two times...