Chapter 12 Summary

Mr. Gonzalez tells Jamal that he will pay him fifteen dollars for three hours of work. Plus, Jamal will get tips from the customers he helps with their bags. Immediately, Jamal starts to calculate how long he will have to work to earn two thousand dollars to help Randy. He starts to think, too, where else he could spend that amount of money. He thinks about a car. By the time he has that much money, he will be old enough to drive. He will be in the driver's seat.

Carrying groceries is hard work, especially when it involves carrying them up flights of stairs. Some of the customers are nice, and others are not so generous with their tips. After the deliveries are made, Jamal is back at the store. Blood comes in. He buys some cigarettes and tells Jamal that he...