A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Neeley and Francie head out under their mother’s direction to get the “weekend meat” (46). Francie must barter with aggressive, backhanded men, something she does begrudgingly but with finesse. The family then has a wonderful dinner, after which Neeley and Francie both leave to see their friends. Neeley and his friends hang out on the corner, and Francie and the orphan Maudie go to confession together. Maudie brings Francie a present of some leftover scraps from the shrouds her caretakers make, but Francie, while polite, isn’t overjoyed by this morbid gift. The church is packed with people attending confession, but Francie and Maudie make it in and out relatively quickly. They then walk arm-in-arm about the town until Maudie’s eight o’clock curfew, at which point they part ways, promising to do it all again next week.

When Francie gets home, Aunt Evy and Uncle Flittman are there visiting with Katie. Uncle Flittman is playing his guitar as they drink beer and eat food Evy had brought over. Uncle Flittman is starting to feel his drink and starts telling Katie he is a “failure” and that Evy “doesn’t love” him. Aunt Evy tries to reassure him but fails and ends up telling him it’s time to go.