What Do Fish Have to Do With Anything?

Every day, Mrs. Markham walks her son Willie home from school. Willie has found his mother to be distant and preoccupied ever since Willie’s father abandoned them. One day, they pass an unhoused man begging on the street. Willie asks questions about the man, and Mrs. Markham explains that the man is sick and unhappy. At home, Mrs. Markham carefully measures a portion of pound cake for Willie. Willie notices his mom staring sadly at the cake box and asks her what the cure for unhappiness is. Mrs. Markham says that money will cure unhappiness. Willie watches the man begging on the street, and when his mom is napping, he goes outside and gives the man a nickel.

When Willie’s mom goes to work her evening shift at the convenience store, Willie thinks about fish that live in dark caves and have evolved to have no eyes. Over the next few days, Willie continues to notice the man begging, but his mom advises him not to look at the man at all. Willie remembers how his father lost his job, started drinking, and eventually left the family. Mrs. Markham claims to believe that Willie’s father will come back eventually.