The Rock and The River

As Sam walks home, it begins to rain harder, and Father drives up next to him and offers him a ride. Sam refuses, and they meet at home. Sam spends the entire next day working with Father. Father tells Sam that Maxie is welcome to come over to the house to help them but that he doesn’t want Sam out in the streets as much as he has been. Stick taps on the bedroom window several nights later, but he needs help getting in because he is hurt. Sam helps him and is stunned by his swollen and cut face. As Sam helps tend to Stick’s wounds, Mama knocks on the door. Sam helps Stick get in the closet and answers the door. When Mama leaves, Sam finishes tending to Stick and puts him in his bed. Stick sneaks out again while Sam is asleep. Sam finds a note from stick that reads: “Where is it? I need it.” Sam knows that he is talking about the gun.

Sam tries to approach Maxie in the schoolyard, but she runs away. Raheem sees this and gives Sam attitude when he asks about Stick. Raheem tells Sam to fix his relationship with Maxie.