March Literature Circle Letter #1

My book, Bastard out of Carolina, is about a girl named Ruth Anne, nicknamed Bone. She has a father, which abandoned her eight days after she was born. He did come back to see Bone, although she peed on him and drove him away. Her mom, Anney, had a second child with another man named Lyly. He died while he was working, on the pavement of a street. Their child together was another girl, named Reese. The family, aunts, uncles, and grandma go out for dinner at the White Horse Cafe. Uncle Earle brought his new workmate, Glen Waddell. In time, Anney, Bone's mother begins to date Glen. He is nice to both Anney and Reese, although things change too fast. Within two years, Anney and Glen become married, and go on their honeymoon together without Reese and Bone. Everything goes down from here.

Anney discovers she is pregnant Glen's child. Glen always wanted, a son, and if it were a girl, then he wouldn't love her. Glen only wanted a son. Anney goes into labor, and Glen, Reese, and Bone go back to the car. Reese falls asleep, leaving only Bone and Glen awake. Glen begins to smile at Bone, and puts his hand on her neck. Soon after, Glen begins to rape Bone. Bone, at a young age, does not know what Glen is doing to her. She's too young, and begins to cry, saying her thighs hurt. The next day, Glen comes out of the emergency room with terrible news. The baby, Glen Junior, was still-born. (Meaning the baby came out dead.) Glen cries with Anney.

The rest of the book talks about Glen and Anney not being able to pay their bills. Anney tells the children about being really poor, like fighting over the last bacon. She feeds her children ketchup and crackers for a snack. Glen keeps telling Anney that things would be different soon, and that they'd live in a big house. Then, Reese and Bone go to the Aunt's house to stay for a while.