Summary

In Chapter 5, “Pardon” (87), Trethewey recalls watching her mother change Joey's diaper while a news story played in the background. The story was about President Richard Nixon and the author recalls vaguely understanding what was going on in the world: “there is trouble because the person occupying our nation's house has betrayed us” (87). Joel enters the room just as Gerald Ford appears onscreen saying, “It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it” (88).

In Chapter 6, “You Know” (89), Trethewey remembers her mother telling her that Joel wanted to adopt her. Trethewey said no, claiming she wanted to keep her last name. They had just moved to a house in the suburbs. Three white girls that lived on her street came over, and Trethewey showed them pornographic magazines that Joel kept in his closet. The girls asked her if...