Summary

Chapter 5 begins by describing Mama’s accelerating depression and moodiness. AJ and Dixie can feel the tension in the room as Daddy announces he is going on a business trip. The family gets in the car and drops Daddy off at the airport. When Daddy tries to talk to Mama she does not verbally respond, and gives him a kiss Dixie says, “even I could tell was forced” (157).

When they leave the airport, Mama takes the children for a drive, telling them it is just a nice day to do so. Mama drives up to an older house with the name “Suggs” written on the mailbox. The house is old and beat up with used appliances littered all over the backyard, and junk covering the front porch. Dixie notices strange plants hanging as well as an outhouse. While sitting in the driveway, Mama...