The Pretender Summary and Analysis

The summer between high and college is a "no man's land" for Cedric. A boring job as an intern with Price Waterhouse at least allows some frivolity, in the form of clothes and music. The sweltering summer has resulted in typical violence, and two young men Cedric knew have been killed: one in an armed robbery at McDonald's and one in a drug war of some sort. Phillip is not going to college and has a permanent job in a mail room. Latisha is going to UDC in the fall on a full scholarship. His social life is non-existent, as usual, including occasional trips to the mall and continued frequent evenings at church, as Barbara holds onto the reigns, believing that she can still exert some influence over Cedric's life after he is gone. At church, Bishop Long warns...