Chapter 9 Summary

Jamal's father, Jevon, is coming for dinner. Jamal does not like when his father asks how he is doing in school or whether he is helping Mama. Jevon is never there to help. Why should he ask Jamal? The conversation turns to Randy and how Mama needs money for the appeal. Jevon asks Jamal what he is doing to help Mama get the money. It is not the first time Jevon belittles Jamal. The next day, Jamal hides the gun in his sneaker and takes it to school. Dwayne continues to harass Jamal and sets up another fight in the basement storeroom. Jamal convinces Tito to take the gun and hide it on the shelf in the storeroom before the fight.

Chapter 9 Analysis

Jamal hates the feigned interest Jevon takes in him when he comes home. Jamal knows Jevon is only there for...