Summary

“On Why Men Don’t Trust Doctors”

One day, out playing with friends, Eddy steps on a nail, which quickly becomes infected. He worries about tetanus but does not tell anyone about it; he simply uses perfume to clean the wound. Like his father, Eddy has a tendency to avoid medical advice. Eddy recalls his Uncle Gary, who also ignored health advice until an alcohol-induced coma left him forever hemiplegic. Eventually, Eddy’s uncle died of his condition.

“Sylvain (An Eyewitness Account)”

Sylvain is Eddy’s cousin, who is older than him by ten years. Sylvain is considered a tough guy in the community, and has already had several arrests for driving drunk and dealing drugs. Eventually was sent to prison for eight months. Sylvain is eventually allowed a furlough to go home and...