The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Ward, Jesmyn. Where the Line Bleeds. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY, 2008. Kindle AZW file.

Christophe and Joshua were only five when their mother Cille left them in the care of their maternal grandmother, Ma-mee. Cille has paid a couple of hundred dollars a month in an informal child support agreement leading up to the twins' graduation from high school. She pays for a used car. Though that gesture could be a genuine effort to help them get a good start in life, the twins see it as consolation for her absence at their graduation ceremony and the family party afterward.

Christophe and Joshua have always planned to get jobs after graduation, knowing they would stay nearby to take care of Ma-mee who has lost most of her sight in her struggle with diabetes. They apply immediately for jobs at all potential local employers. That includes the dock – one of the coveted jobs in the area because of the high pay for the mind-numbing manual labor. Joshua is quickly called back for an interview, but Christophe is not. Joshua offers to pass up the job when it is offered so that he and Christophe can find something together. However, Christophe urges him to take it. Christophe believes he will soon find something. In the meantime, his cousin Dunny offers to let him sell small amounts of marijuana. Dunny, who has a full time job, makes it clear that the only reason he is selling drugs is to get money together to buy his own place. At first, Christophe refuses; then, he agrees to the short-term solution. Within weeks, he is making more money than Joshua. He quickly settles into that lifestyle.

By the time their mother Cille comes to town for a visit over the summer, Christophe and Joshua have encountered Samuel, their father, a few times. Samuel is an addict who has had limited contact with the boys most of their lives. When he returns to town and begins to encounter Christophe and Joshua occasionally, they make it clear they are not interested in a relationship. Cille extends her visit into several days; but, she seems more interested in shopping and partying with friends than staying home with her sons and mother. Cille is critical of Christophe's lack of a job and of Joshua's girlfriend, Laila.

The entire situation creates a distance between Joshua and Christophe that had never existed previously. Christophe claims to continue to search for a legitimate job. He slips cash to Joshua who, in turn, gives it to Ma-mee. When the family has a Fourth of July event, Joshua pays for a share of the food; but, no one expects Christophe to contribute. Christophe finds himself jealous of Joshua's girlfriend and Joshua's legitimacy in the eyes of the family. Christophe also feels that he makes more money than Joshua. So, he stops looking for a job.

Joshua is always exhausted by the manual labor of his job. He has an accident at work that results in stitches in both palms and a week off work. He goes with Christophe to the home of a hard-core dealer named Javon. The situation comes to a head when Samuel stops by, hoping to trade lumber for drugs. Javon begins beating Samuel. When Christophe intervenes. In the fight, Samuel slices Christophe's stomach open with a broken bottle. Joshua rushes Christophe to the hospital, calls in family, and waits to see if his twin will recover. When Christophe's recovery is certain, Joshua makes it clear that Christophe must change his lifestyle.