The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

Because Momma grew up in the South, she feels the need to dress Kenny and Joetta in many layers of clothes for their trip to school in Flint’s cold winter weather. Kenny has the job of helping Joey out of her layers once they arrive at school. She complains about having to wear so many articles of clothing, and she is always wet from sweat and “kind of drowsy-looking” by the time they arrive (48). Momma won’t relent, and one morning Kenny tells Byron he wishes Momma wouldn’t overdress them. First Byron reminds Kenny that he, Byron, used to be the one to help Kenny undress once at school. Then he promises to help. Kenny is wary.

On the way to the bus stop, Byron makes Kenny and Joetta practice a shocked reaction, telling them that he will explain why they have to wear all the layers, but that they have to act surprised when they eventually hear it from Momma. He tells them that every cold morning, garbage trucks go around and pick up all “them folks from down South who got that thin, down-home blood who freeze so quick” (54). Since Kenny and Joey have half-Southern blood, Byron says, Momma worries they might freeze.