I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Book Notes Summary

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Bailey begins to take girls to a makeshift tent behind the house so that they can play Momma and Poppa. Bailey doesn't really understand what sex is, so he and the girls pantomime it with their clothes on. Maya has to be Baby. She is also the lookout. After a few months, Bailey meets Joyce, a fourteen year old (Bailey is nearly eleven.) Joyce knows Bailey likes her, so they play house together. Joyce knows about sex, and she begins to take off her clothes. Afraid that Bailey will have to go to the hospital (and Maya did when Mr.

Freeman raped her) Maya tries to prevent this. Joyce angrily tells Maya to leave. Afterward, Bailey is very proud of himself. He loves Joyce, and steals things from the store for her. Then one day she disappears. She ran away with a railroad porter. Bailey is very bitter about it.