Part I: Two funerals. Losing the brother I hardly knew ; Losing the mother I thought I knew

Part II: The parents who raised me. My mother: gentle hands and foul moods ; My father: joy, wonder, and self-hate

Part III: Our world. The kingdom of the rich ; The people in the big house

Part IV: The lie. Original shame ; On her own ; Polly and Roy ; Freaky little bastard ; Truth at the kitchen stove

Part V: Finding and losing Ronnie. I walk into his barbershop ; We get acquainted ; What was wrong ; Trying to help ; Losses, gains, losses

Part VI: Learning still. Unearthing Ronnie ; Our family shrivels

Part VII: A finer sifting. I draw closer ; Walking with them