The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

Ernie’s mother invites Sam to play at their house. He is worried his old bicycle will be an embarrassment. Max leaves for work and returns shortly after with a present for Sam: “[H]e slid out the most glorious, fire-engine-red Schwinn bicycle I had ever seen” (94). Sam rides his new bike to Ernie’s where they have lunch and go to the local park to play baseball. Sam is in awe of Ernie’s baseball skills. After a few failed attempts, Sam hits the ball, and it shatters a window. Ernie takes off, leaving Sam to find his own way home. Just as Sam gets his bearings, David Bateman and two friends, O’Reilly and Leftkowitz appear. They chase Sam until he crashes his bike. The two others hold Sam while David smashes the bike with the baseball bat and then begins beating Sam with his fists. Tommy Leftkowitz tells David to stop. Seeing Sam’s blood on his shirt, David finally relents. Sam hobbles toward home pushing his bike. His eyes are swollen so badly he struggles to see. His mother has been driving around with Ernie and his mother looking for Sam. When Madeline sees his condition, she weeps and cries out to God.