Study Guide

Autobiography of My Dead Brother Chapter 5

By Walter Dean Myers

Chapter 5

It's Saturday morning, high summer. Jesse's mom knocks on his door because Benny is on the phone.
Benny tells Jesse the bodega was firebombed the night before and he thinks two white cops are looking for Jesse.
Furthermore, a young black guy threatened the bodega owner with a gun. Boy, that bodega owner is having a terrible day.
Jesse's dad wants to know what's going on and whether he should call the family lawyer. Jesse tells him there's no need to, though, since he didn't do anything.
Now Jesse's mom is in on the conversation. She wants to know what's up, so Jesse tells his parents about Mason. His parents seem worried.
Jesse calls C.J.'s house, and when his mom answers, Jesse pitches the Cuban band idea.
Turns out C.J.'s mom has already heard about it; she asks to speak to Jesse's mom.
When Jesse's mom hangs up, she wants to talk about the bodega thing more. Jesse's like, if you think I did that, you don't even know me.
Jesse's dad is getting emotional—he wants to know what's going on in his son's life.
Jesse does some sketches and calls C.J., who comes over and says his mother is thinking about the Cuban band. He thinks that's a good sign.
The boys walk to the bodega. It's been burned to a crisp. Sidney asks Jesse and C.J. what they think about it.
Sidney wants to take Jesse and Rise over to see Mason in jail, and Jesse agrees even though he really doesn't want to.