The Man Child Summary

Eric is walking across the fields that belong to his father, returning home in time for supper. Eric is concerned that his mother will be angry with him for being out so long. Eric knows his father will already be at the local bar, The Rafters, with his friend Jamie, but his mother will be at home waiting. Eric does not like to upset his mother. His mother has only recently returned from being in the hospital after losing a baby she carried in her belly. This is the second baby she has lost. The first was supposed to be Eric's sister, but she is in a grave in the cemetery.

As Eric walks, he thinks about his father's friend Jamie and the birthday party they had for him a few months back. At that party, Jamie and Eric's...