One morning Big Ma brings T.J., Stacey and Cassie to the market. They are all surprised they are allowed to go. Cassie is excited about going to town, but when she gets there she is disappointed. Big Ma sets up her wagon full of eggs and dairy far behind wagons owned by white people, and this makes Cassie angry. After the market, Big Ma goes to see Mr. Jamison, telling the children to wait for her. T.J. immediately wants to run off, and the other two follow him. He shows Stacey a fancy gun, saying how much he wants it and how no one would bother him if he owned it. Then he asks the white shopkeeper to fill an order for his father. The man begins to do so, but gets distracted by other white people who need help.
Cassie doesn't understand what is happening, though the other boys do and are embarrassed. Finally, Cassie approaches the man, asking him to help T.J. again, because they have been waiting for a long time. He says to her, "Well, you just get your little black self back over there and wait some more." Chapter 5, pg. 111 Furious, Cassie starts to yell, but her brother pulls her out of the store. He goes to get Big Ma, and Cassie is left alone to sulk. She bumps into Lillian Jean, who tells her to apologize. Cassie does so, but that isn't enough for Lillian Jean, who tries to force Cassie down into the road. Lillian's father then pushes Cassie off the sidewalk, into the road. Just then Big Ma appears, and though she looks unhappy, she tells Cassie to apologize. Cassie finally does, and they go home. "No day in all my life had ever been as cruel as this one." Chapter 5, pg. 116
