Summary

In “The Happiest House on Union Street,” Beverly believed the sagging pumpkins on the stoop were a sign. Her father, Raymond, and uncle Rayford had been arguing more, too. Because they lived in the same townhouse and were twins, Raymond and Rayford often fought, but not like this. One morning, another argument woke Beverly. She snuck out of bed and eavesdropped. When they started arguing over whose child Beverly was, Beverly’s interest piqued. Raymond blamed Rayford for Beverly’s recent fainting episode. He said Rayford had let her dance too much. Rayford insisted she “was dehydrated” and was fine (135).

Beverly thought of Rayford’s dance classes “on Eastern Parkway” (137). While teaching people “how to take care of their bodies,” he “became a kind of preacher” (140). Beverly admired him.

Beverly recalled the night they carved...