In the bustling multicultural city of Paterson, New Jersey, a young Puerto Rican girl nicknamed Skinny Bones navigates the complexities of adolescence amidst cultural and social challenges. Surrounded by a patchwork community of Puerto Ricans and African Americans, she finds herself drawn to those who, like her, feel out of place. Her journey intersects with that of Eugene, a recent arrival from Georgia, leading to a tender, yet tumultuous, friendship.

Finding Kindred Spirits

Skinny Bones lives in a multifamily apartment building once home to a vibrant Jewish community, now predominantly occupied by Puerto Rican and African American families. As an introverted teen, she feels an affinity for those who seem to exist on society's fringes. It's this sense of being an outsider that draws her to Eugene, a soft-spoken newcomer from the South. Eugene's Southern drawl earns him the nickname "the Hick," marking him as different and making him a target for the school's bullies, just like Skinny Bones. Despite their distinct cultural backgrounds, the two find solace in each other's company, forming a close bond. Eugene, a diligent student, assists Skinny Bones with her academic studies; however, she finds herself barred from advanced classes because her native language is not English, even though her academic abilities are strong.

An Invitation and a Turbulent Time

The narrative reaches its turning point when Eugene invites Skinny Bones to a study session at his home, located directly opposite her apartment building. She eagerly accepts the invitation, driven by a curiosity about Eugene's family dynamics and a desire to meet his mother, whom she's observed from afar. The timing of this visit coincides with a momentous event—the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Skinny Bones finds herself having to persuade her grieving mother to let her visit Eugene's home rather than join in the communal mourning at church.

Encountering Prejudice

Upon arriving at Eugene's house, Skinny Bones is met with an unforeseen challenge. Eugene's mother, answering the door, immediately categorizes her as part of the "people" from across the street—an assumption steeped in prejudice. Unfazed by Skinny Bones' academic prowess, she dismisses the need for her son to study with her, asserting that Eugene is already clever enough without external help.

Adolescent Anguish

Heartbroken by this rejection, Skinny Bones returns to her apartment, grappling with the emotional turmoil of her first romantic disappointment. In the solemn atmosphere following the president's death, she attempts to summon the appropriate feelings of grief. Her tears flow freely, yet she comes to a poignant realization—these tears are born from her own personal sorrow rather than the collective mourning for the country's loss.