Summary

In Chapter 1, Momma wakes Madeline Sykes up in the middle of the night to declare they are leaving home. They live in North Carolina. The year is 1946. Momma bids Maddie to help her get rid of Daddy’s things while she packs the rest. Daddy died a year ago after volunteering to fight in World War Two. Maddie has no idea where Momma is driving them and regrets that they are leaving since she enjoys her new sewing job.

Momma drives to Bright Leaf in Chapter 2. Daddy’s aunt, Aunt Etta, lives there. Maddie loves Aunt Etta and spends all her summers there. Aunt Etta does all the sewing for Bright Leaf's “tobacco wives” (16).

When Maddie wakes up, the car is at a gas station. Momma is flirting for free gas. Maddie is annoyed by Momma’s desperation to remarry.

Maddie recalls the...