Summary

Brian’s relationship with his father continues to deteriorate. He is withdrawn and combative, accusing Brian’s mother of not prioritizing him. He does not want her to spend time with his friends. Brian’s father has been laid off from the steel mill and grows angrier when his wife gets a job to help the family get off of welfare.

At the spelling bee, Brian misspells the final word and a white girl from his grade beats him. Brian feels ashamed that he even tried to win because he is not meant to be smart. The other boys in his grade tease him and call him a gay slur. Brian’s sister encourages him and tells him she was cheering for him the whole time. His sister is also teased by the Black boys for not having long hair like the white...