Why do her friends, so opposed to Janie after shooting, now forgive her?

Janie is arrested for murder, put in jail, and tried in court. All of her black friends believe she is at fault for Tea Cake's death and want her to go to prison. Simmons explains her case to the jury and she is not convicted of murder. She is set free.

Janie arranges a beautiful funeral for Tea Cake in Palm Beach. She explains to Sop and the other friends that she knows that they were not trying to hurt her. They loved Tea Cake and just didn't understand what had happened. Sop and the friends all apologize.