Study Guide

Autobiography of My Dead Brother Chapter 23

By Walter Dean Myers

Chapter 23

Another day, another funeral. Pastor Loving is giving another eulogy, and this one's for Rise. Once again, C.J.'s on the organ.
Jesse's feeling sad. It has been the worst week of his life, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Seeing Rise in the casket is not helping matters.
Everyone leaves except for Jesse, C.J., and Elder Smitty. C.J. starts playing organ again; it's really pretty.
Eventually, C.J. and Jesse leave. When they see a kid, Jesse thinks about Little Man, who's already been arrested for Rise's murder.
C.J. admits that he feels sort of relieved that they won't be involved with gangs anymore. He feels guilty for saying it, but it's true.
They walk on, both thinking about Rise. Jesse realizes he's never going to understand what was going on with his dead friend. All he has is his sadness.
Eventually, C.J. changes the subject. Jesse gets it—he understands the impulse to move on.