Ike and Buddy Lee talk about their fathers. Then Ike tells him about how he joined Luther’s crew, and how Luther turned him into a weapon. Buddy Lee talks about their sons, and says that he finally understands that “[w]hat’s normal ain’t up to me. That it don’t fucking matter who he wanted to wake up next to as long as he was waking up” (204).

Ike remembers beating Romello to death, then realizing he was alone in prison. He had to affiliate with a new gang inside to avoid four men from the East Coast Crips who tried to assault him. He tells Buddy Lee about flipping the grill at the barbecue when Isiah introduced him to Derek. He understands now that Isiah told him about Derek because he wanted Ike to know he was happy.

They stop to get gas in Bowling Green. Buddy Lee asks the cashier if she knows Tangerine. She gives him the address of Lunette Frederickson, Tangerine’s mother. As they approach the house, a woman comes out onto the porch with a shotgun.