Fighting Words

Content Warning: This text contains graphic depictions of child sexual abuse, neglect, drug addiction, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.

Ten-year-old protagonist Della Roberts’s teacher, Ms. Davonte, notices her new tattoo and asks her if it is real. Della proudly holds up her wrist to show Ms. Davonte, explaining that the tattoo is an ampersand and that she loves it. Della explains that she is going write down her story and that some parts will be difficult. She says that her full name is Delicious Nevaeh Roberts, but that she prefers “Della” to “Delicious.” She recalls once when a boy in her class learned her name was Delicious and tried to lick her; she kicked him “right in the snow” (6), then explains that her sister, Suki, told her that she cannot write down bad words in her story or no one will want to read it.

Della explains her family structure: Her mother’s parental rights have been terminated, as she is incarcerated and has a meth addiction. Della’s 16-year-old sister, Suki, has been her primary caretaker all her life. Della and Suki have different fathers, whom they have not met. Della writes that she is grateful that Clifton, their mother’s boyfriend, is not either of their fathers.