The Season of Styx Malone

Caleb thinks Styx will appreciate a financial contribution toward the moped. He and Bobby Gene prepare to “slaughter” their piggy banks with a hammer but see rubber plugs on the bellies at the last minute. They empty the contents and count. Caleb is prepared to give Styx his total of just over $27, but Bobby Gene decides he should keep his total of over $75 to himself “as backup” for now (70). Caleb is angry and thinks Bobby Gene is overly cautious. Once Caleb calms, though, he is glad Bobby Gene is still there with him.

When Styx arrives to collect the boys, he is smooth and charming to Mom, but she does not look impressed. On the way to an undisclosed location where Styx is certain they can trade the fireworks, he suggests keeping some for their own fun, but Bobby Gene insists they get rid of all of them. Caleb is perturbed that Styx is now calling his brother “B.G.” and wishes for a Styx-given nickname of his own. After cutting through the woods, they come to a dirt road with an old pick-up truck and riding lawn mower parked nearby; both have “for sale” signs. Further on, they approach what Styx calls a “kind of a junk yard” (77)—a fenced-in collection of scraps, tires, filled garbage bags, and old car parts.