Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

Frank talks about Lotus, Georgia as the worst place in the world. He says that he and his friends, Stuff and Mike couldn't wait to get out of there. Thank God for the army. The only thing that can draw Frank back there is his sister.

Lenore, Frank and Cee's step-grandmother hires a twelve-year-old girl to help her clean and iron. Lenore likes the girl so much that she also confides in her. Lenore thinks about how when her first husband was killed because he was black that she moved to the house he left her in Lotus, Georgia, along with all of his money. She meets Sale, Frank and Cee's grandfather, and Lenore and Salem marry.

Lenore says everything is fine until the rest of Salem's family moves in and takes over her house. She especially hates the infant daughter...