Summary

Chapter 1 – It is 1974. For eleven years, all-black Liberty Township in East Texas has been hometo Ruby Bell, who has gone crazy after her return from New York. Ruby wanders around town dirty and unkempt. Miss Philomena, the owner of the P&K Store, gives Ruby fresh bread every day. Ephram Jennings always watches Ruby with concern, but he has always held back from trying to help Ruby due to the shunning and mocking she receives from the locals. Ephram, forty-five years old, is himself something of an outcast. No one ever pays him any mind. When he sees Ruby urinate in the middle of the street without realizing what she is doing, he decides enough is enough.

Ephram is the younger brother of Celia, whom he calls “Mama." It was Celia who had raised him and who continues to care for...