Summary

While the television and radio played, Robyn repeatedly knocked on Ptolemy’s door. When she announced who she was, the “image of Reggie’s body” returned to Ptolemy (55). He let Robyn inside. Ptolemy studied her as she moved around his space. She was shocked by the boxes and the smell. Hilly and Niecie had sent her to help Ptolemy cash his retirement checks. She promised not to rob him.

When Robyn went into the bathroom to seek out the odor, Ptolemy panicked. The sounds from the radio blurred with his memories of Coy teaching him to read. He recalled Coy telling him the difference between good and evil, and how God judged whites and blacks differently. Ptolemy could not focus on Robyn because of “Coydog’s lectures” in his head (64). Noticing the gravity of Ptolemy’s living situation, Robyn insisted he could not live...