Mockingbird Summer

Content Warning: This section discusses racism and racial violence.

Corky goes to the drugstore thinking about her parents’ fight and feeling frustrated. She remembers how after her fight with a school bully, her father was pleased she defended herself. He also tells her she can be anything she wants in life, which makes her wonder why her mother cannot.

Noah Boatwright IV—the oldest member of the Boatwright family—comes into the drugstore. He and Cal were classmates at school with a long history of enmity. Since much of their land has been sold over the years, the Boatwrights’ fortune is now purely monetary. Noah IV has two sons, Bubba and Tad. Noah IV previously struggled with an alcohol addiction and abused Bubba, but recently recovered and became a deacon of the Baptist church. Traumatized by his father’s violence, Bubba also developed an alcohol addiction and bullies other kids at school where he has a contentious rivalry with Mack. Corky feels alarmed overhearing Noah IV murmuring to her father that civil rights protests are causing trouble.

As Corky gets ready to leave, Tad appears on his bike. The two are friends despite their brothers’ rivalry, though adolescence has changed their friendship. Now Tad smiles at her and she looks at him differently.