Another current resident of Texas raising their hand here. Although I happen to live in a conservative community, there are plenty of non-bigots if you know where to look.
Other than the overly stereotypical characterizations, the chapter was packed with a lot of welcome information. Hurry up with the next chapter.
I'm thinking that this was your way of dealing with the strange relationship between Anton and his mother. The random snide comments and seemingly "happy" relationship that they had? I've always struggled to understand his lack of anger towards her abandoning him (and even her own father)!
Why did his mother just abandon both her father and her son? Seems strange she just started a new life and forgot about both of them. Also, how can both Gramps and Anton just accept her return?
Ok I think I'm confused. Did Andy lose ALL of his money or just what he was paid that day? I thought you wrote that he was leaving his backpack in the school, so he didn't have his summer money on him?