Summary
Leonie wakes up on Michael’s lap, disoriented and unwell. She learns that he forced her to drink milk with charcoal in order for her to purge herself from the dosage of meth. Leonie falls back asleep, and she dreams of being on a sinking raft with Michael, Jojo, and Kayla. She wishes they could all go home to a new apartment, but they have no choice but to return to Mam and Pop’s house. Upon their arrival at the house, however, Jojo tells Michael and Leonie that Mam and Pop are not there.
With nowhere else to go, Michael takes the family to his parents' house. Leonie protests, since she knows she is unwelcome there. They drop Misty off, and Leonie lets Kayla sit on her lap in the front seat. While driving, a wild hog comes out in front of the car which causes Michael to swerve the vehicle. Kayla hits the dashboard violently, and she develops a large bruise on her forehead. Jojo watches the scene disapprovingly in the backseat before taking Kayla into his arms for consolation.
Although Big Joseph and Maggie are happy to see Michael, Big Joseph is angry that Leonie, Jojo, and Kayla are there. Big Joseph and Maggie have never seen Kayla before, but they quickly remark that she is “rude.” Joseph continues to verbally attack Leonie and her children, calling them a slew of racist names. Out of frustration, Michael headbutts his father. The two wrestle on the ground violently, and Leonie takes the children out to the car to avoid the scene.
The family returns to Mam and Pop’s house. There, Leonie finds that her mother’s health has deteriorated even further. Mam tells Leonie that it is “time for her to go,” and Leonie is deeply saddened. She begs for Mam to hold on longer and conjure healing powers, but Mam tells her that she has already opened her body to voodoo spirits of the dead. Mam asks Leonie to go to the bayou and collect some altar offerings, such as rum and cotton.
Jojo is relieved to see Pop at home. Richie tries to get Pop’s attention, but it seems that he is unable to see or hear him. Pop asks Jojo if he found the gris-gris bag, and Jojo divulges some of the unfortunate details of their trip. Richie begs Pop to tell him why he “left him,” but Pop remains unresponsive. Richie urges Jojo to ask Pop directly about how Richie died, but Jojo seems to think that a response is unlikely.
Jojo enters the other room to speak to Mam. On her deathbed, Mam tells Jojo that Leonie is not particularly maternal—she urges Jojo to continue fending for himself if he wants to be happy. Jojo asks what will happen to Mam after she dies. He is particularly curious about whether she will become a ghost. Mam says that ghosts come into being when people have died in violent, tragic ways. Mam asks Jojo if he has seen a ghost, and in response he lies, saying he hasn't.
Mam seems to be aware that Jojo is being dishonest, as she can sense a supernatural presence in the house. Meanwhile, Richie expresses that he feels envy when he sees Pop, Jojo, and Kayla interact as a family unit. Richie lays underneath the house and begins to sing. While singing, Richie is overcome by visions of land and water. Richie observes Leonie as she collects the items that Mam has requested. Richie also sees the ghost of Given, though the apparition appears and disappears quickly. Mam greets Leonie and her offerings with a sense of love and understanding, and Richie hears the song once more.
Analysis
Although Leonie is happy to be reunited with Michael, he enables some of her regressive behaviors. Despite their reunion, Leonie continues to struggle with addiction, poverty, and grief. The dream she has after overdosing reveals that she has unsettled feelings about her inability to provide for her family. The sinking raft symbolizes that Leonie is succumbing to the pressures in her life. She wishes that she could have her own home and live privately and independently, but she ultimately relies on her parents to provide her with a semblance of stability.
Upon their reunion, we learn more about the complicated dynamics of Leonie and Michael’s relationship. While the audience is aware that Michael’s family was responsible for covering up the murder of Given, Leonie must witness their bigotry firsthand. Ultimately, Leonie and her children are disliked by Michael’s parents because they believe that she has “tainted” their white lineage. Leonie is hurt by her in-laws' behavior, and Jojo and Kayla are forced to understand how their race is seen as “undesirable.” The brawl that occurs between Big Joseph and Michael underscores the viciousness and absurdity of the family’s prejudice.
Mam’s spirituality allows her to be mindful about her own death and to move forward without fear. As Leonie faces Mam on her deathbed, we see the clear differences between the two characters. While Mam has reached a kind of enlightenment, Leonie remains trapped by her earthly vices. Mam is aware of her daughter’s spiritual stagnation—she voices her concern that she hasn’t “taught Leonie enough.” Leonie becomes infantilized as she tends to Mam. She appears to finally recognize the impact Mam has had on her life, and she fears losing her.
As Mam lays dying, Leonie’s emotions can be perceived as “childish.” However, Leonie is simultaneously forced to put her own agenda aside and step into the role of caretaker. Leonie is asked to gather ancestral offerings to prepare for the death, and she tries to pass these duties to Pop. However, she soon realizes that she must be the one to execute these tasks, and she ultimately welcomes in the spirits that usher Mam into the afterlife. In this scene, we understand the function of the alternating narration. Jojo, who only sees Leonie from his emotionally damaged perspective, views Leonie’s actions as “ruining” Mam’s chances of survival. Leonie grows frustrated by Jojo’s perception of her, because he does not recognize the pain that it causes her to honor Mam’s dying wishes.
Mam’s death scene is a powerful testament to the family’s relationship with spirituality. Mam’s death is a gathering that welcomes other realms: Given, Richie, and other ghostly ancestors are present in and around the home at this time. However, we also learn how each of the family members has a different relationship with ghosts. Leonie is haunted by Given, Jojo seems to freely communicate with the spirits, and Mam is able to hear ghosts, but not see them. While the shared consciousness seems to imply a unification, we also understand the spiritual disconnects that continue to divide the family.
