The Boy from Willow Bemd Chapters one to six

The Boy from Willow Bend by Joanne C. Hillhouse

Chapter 1: Dead end – Introduction to Vere Joseph Carmino – the main character, his playmates Kim and Kendell Buckley and his Tanty. Vere is seen as a story teller who may have been afraid of his own stories. There is mention of his retired police offer grandfather who would drink his pension check before it made it home.

Chapter 2: Stranger in the house – Vere is woken up by an argument between Tanty and Franklyn. He was an abusive alcoholic who was unfaithful to his wife. June was one of his teenage children who he had. Tanty unwilling welcomes the girl. Tanty lets us know that she cannot have children of her own. June shares a room with Vere and they get off on the wrong foot. Vere does not want to accept another woman in life. Here is where we also see what pushed Vere’s mother to leave in the first place.

Chapter 3: Marking his territory – A typical Antiguan Saturday. The women went to the market and the children played in the community. We are told about Dead End Alley and Dead End Pond. Kendall played rough with Kim and was disciplined by his grandfather Mr. Buckley. His discipline was nowhere near as harsh as Franklyn. Vere still did not want to share his bed with June. He kicked her off the bed which landed them into a scuffle. Eventually Franklyn came in and beat them both.

Chapter 4: June – Tanty put June and Vere to shell peas. We learned that June’s mother was in Chicago and that she had been living his different people ever since. Vere also figures out that June is indeed his aunt. We learn that Vere is very affectionate with Tanty even if he does not want to admit or show it.

Chapter 5: School de dwoy – School had started by for Vere. Education was very important for Vere’s mother and Tanty. His mother sends money so that he can go to a private Catholic primary school. Vere’s grandfather is against it. He even let Vere’s mother drop out of school at 13. Even June wanted him to go to school since she was also a dropout.

Chapter 6: The forking incident – We are introduced to Franklyn’s wrath. June brought his Sunday dinner. She slopped some gravy onto his vest and it burnt his skin. Franklyn lashed out by pushing her and instructing her to clean it up. June was stubborn and did not move. This pushed Franklyn to stab her with a fork. He would have done more if Tanty did not step in. Tanty asked Mr. Buckley to take them to the hospital. Later that night we see Vere’s concern for June.