Summary

In “Lake View (1986),” after dinner with Marty, Henry visited Ethel’s grave. He removed a white envelope from his pocket. It had been given to him at the funeral home. The envelope contained a piece of candy and a quarter, a Chinese tradition. Even though they were supposed to use their quarters to buy more candy on the way home from the funeral, Henry had insisted they skip the tradition. He just wanted to go home. He kept the quarter as a symbol of Ethel. He tells Ethel that he has some things he has to do. Placing the quarter on the headstone, he wishes Ethel happiness without him.

In “Speak Your American (1942),” Henry’s father noticed that he seemed happier about going to school. Henry had neither told his parents about they bullying he faced or the fact that...