Summary

Fannie had a habit of saving change in various containers around the house, and she had to use all this money, plus all her savings and some money she borrowed, to pay off the winning bet. When she had succeeded, she felt “empowered” and became determined to operate her own Numbers business rather than running numbers for Mr. Wingate.

When the family arrived in Detroit from Nashville, they lived in horrible conditions. Fannie's brother, John, was appalled at the rats and roaches infesting their apartment and suggested Fannie should return home. Fannie's sister, Florence, sent her money each Friday to help the family. Florence hoped to move to Detroit soon and encouraged Fannie to stay. Many blacks were moving to Detroit in the hope of a better life, but the automobile factories were becoming more automated and laying off more...