This Boy's Life Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary

  • One day, Roy asks Jack what he thinks about a little brother. Jack thinks it stinks, but lies… and he's getting pretty good at lying.
  • The next day, Roy packs up his semi-abusive little circus tent and drives away, never to be seen again. No one mentions this to Jack until after Roy is gone.
  • Jack comes home from school to find mom singing and packing again. They're gonna move! Where? Who knows? Phoenix, maybe, or Seattle. It's a mystery!
  • Jack asks if he can take his rifle. Mom says no, then makes the fatal mistake of saying it won't fit. Jack shows it can fit, thus trapping her with her own fiendish logic.
  • They get to the bus station, and endure the stoic stares of the local Indians. The Phoenix bus has left, but there's one bound for Portland, so they're off to the Pacific Northwest.