Crenshaw

Jackson wakes up in the middle of the night and overhears his parents discussing “places we could go if we couldn’t pay the rent” (49). None of them seems plausible for a family of four with a large dog. Sara says they cannot “live in the minivan again,” and Tom agrees but does not have any realistic solutions (50). Sara suggests selling their television, which Tom is against it. She tells him there is no reason to not ask for assistance, but Tom snaps back that doing so means they have failed. Sara becomes frustrated, reminding Tom that he is not responsible for getting sick or for Sara getting laid off. Tom shouts back that they have to solve their own problems. Sara stalks off, slamming the door behind her. Jackson watches his father staring in silence at the television.

Jackson goes back to bed but cannot sleep. When he gets up for a glass of water, he notices the light on under the closed bathroom door. He hears humming and does not want to open the door. When he finally opens it, he sees Crenshaw “taking a bubble bath” (56).