Chapter 5 Summary

James sees the bus and starts waving with his handkerchief. When it stops for them, Octavia tells James to go to the back of the bus, while she pays their fare. He notices the people looking at him, and he passes the signs that say "white" and "colored" designating the assigned seating areas. There is only one free seat, which he leaves for his mother. Then, he just leans against it.

James describes the other people on the bus. There's a lady sitting next to his mama, who smiles at him. He doesn't smile back, because he's afraid to open his mouth and let the air in, causing his tooth even more pain. The lady offers him a piece of gum, but understands when he gestures to his jaw. There's a girl with a red coat and a big braid sitting across from...