Chapter 9 Summary

Having a few free hours, Jesse, Lonnnie, and Halmea go to Halmea's house to play Chinese checkers. Lonnie easily wins every game, but all three have a wonderful time talking and laughing. Jesse and Halmea discuss many of the social differences between blacks and whites, until Halmea is laughing so hard she can not hold the marbles. That evening, she puts the family's supper in the stove, while she goes to a fish fry with some friends. When Lonnie goes back to the farmhouse, Hud also arrives, very drunk and belligerent. Hud is outraged that Halmea is not there to serve him, and Granny submissively gives him his supper, afraid of her own son when he is in a mood like this.

That night, Lonnie is awakened by Hud's shouts. Seeing a light on in Halmea's house, Lonnie grabs his .22 rifle and hurries...