Summary

Theo goes back to the YMCA, where Bill Bil tries again to entice Theo to work for BVT Realty. Bill Bil explains the seizure of the community garden “for cheap” by buying from the original owner despite the city’s provisional deed given to Sydney (227). Bill Bil hints that he knows about Theo’s dire financial situation and affection for Sydney, urging Theo to “think about your future here” (228). Theo ignores Bill Bil and returns to Gifford Place, running into Terry outside Sydney’s house. Terry suggests Theo’s affection for Sydney is a racial fetish, stating Terry and Josie “travel down to the Caribbean every year to scratch that itch” (229).Terry encourages Theo to rent an apartment from him so “our numbers” don’t decrease (229).

Theo tells Sydney the truth about his unemployment: he was fired for stealing from the bank. Theo...