Was Roxy's behavior justified?

[Loniya Chabili Mubanga]

No. Granted, she didn't know how demanding Steve's job would be before he started, she did not support him afterwards because it didn't suit her needs. She was a very selfish character who only looked out for herself and that's well and good, if you're single. But she did not make her decisions with the consideration of Steve. I felt bad for Steve, he loved Roxy and probably would have supported her if the roles were reversed.

[Ochieng Stephen Owino]

Her actions were not justified. Truthfully, as I read the book, I began to loathe Roxy for how she was handling the poor man. If I was in her position, I would stay with the man. He joined the force for me...I bet that is true love.

[Ruqayyah Rafeeq]

Honestly, I had such high hopes for them as a couple. At the beginning of the book, you knew that they were eventually going to go through hardships together. She literally said that he was the only one she could rely on, then goes and sleeps with his friend once things get rough! She didn't consider him, she was laughing in bed with his friend not caring at all what he was doing for her and for the rest of society.

[Ruqayyah Rafeeq]

Honestly, I wish he left her in the past where she belongs, and I wish that he never looked back. He shouldn't hold on to his past with her, I say he should let her go.

[Kayla Archer]

I think Roxy represents the "hippie nation" the older generation hated in the book. She showed very selfish characteristics and was focused on herself throughout the book. She was full of 'rhetoric and banners' but no action. Sure, she was trying to become a doctor to help save the world, but she was missing what was happening in the present. I struggled with her. I felt for Steve dealing with so much isolation and controversy.

[Joy Baridi]

What Roxy did is not justifiable. I cannot imagine the pain Steve felt when she left. If I were Steve, I would move on with my life. There is no need chasing someone who did not want to stay.

[Lawrence+2]

Sometimes I wonder if people have conscience, I don't think she should be pardoned for any reason. She did not deserve it. This part really made me angry while reading the book.

[Wesley Friday]

Overall, I think Roxy was quite selfish in the relationship she shared with Steve. It seemed her "love" for Steve was premised on his continuous devotion to the anti-establishment movement. This is a bit understandable since most people prefer partners they share the same political opinions with. However, it also does not make it seem to me that Steve really joined the police force because he wanted to bring change but because he wanted to be there for and to please Roxy whose being revolved around social justice.

Given that Steve joined the force because of Roxy, indeed she should have supported him, however, her emotional dependence on Steve since the inception of the relationship may show that she was not in fact ready for any such role since she was quite self-absorbed.

Roxy seemed to want Steve to be perfect, without considering any special circumstances he was in or his personal needs. Their relationship from the beginning has always been based Steve being there for her and not the other way round because Roxy needed healing. It in a way, justifies Roxy's failure to be a reliable source of support. But to answer the question, if I were in Steve's position, I would have first of all picked law school over Roxy and the police force.

[Cheryl Erickson]

I think that Roxy should have stood by Steve through thick and thin. She did encourage him by making him believe that she would stand by him. So she should have supported him no matter what. If I was Steve, I would be very upset and disappointed. I would feel betrayed.

[Danielle Briggs]

I do not think Roxy's behavior was justified at all! Steve could have went to law school and stated multiple times that he would have if it wasn't for her, so he looked for an alternative career while she finished school. She supported him joining the police force, knowing all that it entails, but once he was actually an officer, she acted like it was all a surprise. I understand her frustration with his drinking and coming home crazy late since she was still trying to study, but that does not justify all that she did to him.

[Nino Chinonso Onwurah]

This is a difficult question though it seems simple enough. Supporting Steve, in the beginning, shows a willingness to do the right despite the consequences. As such, I wouldn't judge her so harshly for bailing on him. People have different stress-allowance capacity.

[Amy Luman]

I don’t think Roxy bears the responsibility for Steve’s decisions. I don’t think that she should have been one of the main reasons for it anyway. It puts a lot of pressure on her. Everyone is ultimately responsible for their own happiness, not that of others.

[Micah_1]

I know that Steve's work makes it unable for him to be constantly there for Roxy, yet, her actions can never be justified. Owning to the fact that Steve made his decision to stay close to her.

[Divine Treasure]

I don't think her actions were justified. I come from a home where my mum and dad stand by each other no matter how challenging the situation is. We were taught to do the same. She supported him to join the police force and bailed on him when there was a challenge.
If I were to be Steve, I will never forgive her.

[Stephanie Cameron]

This made me think of Roxy as selfish. She supports Steve's decision to go into the police force because it ment he wouldn't leave her. Then when his job wasn't convenient for her she bails. But then he saves her from jail and she is back on the Steve wagon. He deserved better support from her.