Summary

Five years after the events of “In a Jar,” David walks down a path and reflects on the unrest between Mom and Frick. Frick has wanted to remove a headstone from the graveyard, and Mom has resisted. Frick has threatened to leave if she will not. He has also been drinking more and praying less. David is headed toward the headstone with his slingshot—a gift from his father—in order to shoot stones at it. When David returns home, he asks what is for dinner, and Frick mocks him for using the slingshot, which he refers to as a “little white boy-toy” (53). Frick rises and leaves to check on camp. David comes back to the kitchen to find the sink overflowing; Mom has gone to the car to speak with Frick and forgotten to turn it off. Mom grabs...