Chapter 1 summary: Is Daddy Coming with Us?
Wes (author)
While playing a game with his sister Nikki, Wes caught her and not knowing what to do, punched her in the face. This of course upset Wes' mother, Joy, but she was far more furious than she should have been. While in his room Wes heard his father trying to calm his mother down saying that Wes didn't know what punching a girl like that meant. Wes' father came up to speak to Wes about his behavior. It was not until years later that Wes would understand why it affected his mother so much. Joy had emigrated to the U.S from Jamaica and had to learn how to fit in with the other kids and society. She experienced things that created a strong sense of justice in her. She had two husbands, Bill and Westly. She met Bill while attending an activist group. Although the relationship started well, it went downhill with Bill's alcohol passion turning into an addiction. Joy finally left Bill after he had beaten her. She met her second husband, Westly, while working as a writing assistant in his radio show. They married and had two children, Wes and Shani. The memory of his father speaking to him after he had punched his sister was only one of two memories he had of him. The other was of his death. Westly had not been feeling well, and eventually had to be taken to the hospital. Not knowing what to do with his symptoms, and sent him home to rest. Later he collapsed and passed away from an acute epiglottis. His death affected his entire family and confused young Wes.
"The Other" Wes
Wes had never met his father, and his mother Mary was his only provider. Her job as a secretary was just enough to keep her family provided, however she knew that this job would not last. Mary got pregnant with her first son at sixteen, and promised her mother that she would attend college. However her mother's kidneys were failing and she passed away from a failed kidney transplant. Mary's grandparents then moved in to help Mary and her siblings. Mary then got remarried and had one child, (Wes) but the relationship did not last and Mary was left alone to raise two children. Mary's second husband once tried to help, but he reeked of alcohol and was obviously drunk so Mary did not let him interfere.
While playing a game with his sister Nikki, Wes caught her and not knowing what to do, punched her in the face. This of course upset Wes' mother, Joy, but she was far more furious than she should have been. While in his room Wes heard his father trying to calm his mother down saying that Wes didn't know what punching a girl like that meant. Wes' father came up to speak to Wes about his behavior. It was not until years later that Wes would understand why it affected his mother so much. Joy had emigrated to the U.S from Jamaica and had to learn how to fit in with the other kids and society. She experienced things that created a strong sense of justice in her. She had two husbands, Bill and Westly. She met Bill while attending an activist group. Although the relationship started well, it went downhill with Bill's alcohol passion turning into an addiction. Joy finally left Bill after he had beaten her. She met her second husband, Westly, while working as a writing assistant in his radio show. They married and had two children, Wes and Shani. The memory of his father speaking to him after he had punched his sister was only one of two memories he had of him. The other was of his death. Westly had not been feeling well, and eventually had to be taken to the hospital. Not knowing what to do with his symptoms, and sent him home to rest. Later he collapsed and passed away from an acute epiglottis. His death affected his entire family and confused young Wes.
"The Other" Wes
Wes had never met his father, and his mother Mary was his only provider. Her job as a secretary was just enough to keep her family provided, however she knew that this job would not last. Mary got pregnant with her first son at sixteen, and promised her mother that she would attend college. However her mother's kidneys were failing and she passed away from a failed kidney transplant. Mary's grandparents then moved in to help Mary and her siblings. Mary then got remarried and had one child, (Wes) but the relationship did not last and Mary was left alone to raise two children. Mary's second husband once tried to help, but he reeked of alcohol and was obviously drunk so Mary did not let him interfere.