Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun: A Personal History of Violence

Canada makes the acquaintance of a kindly, street-smart older boy named Mike, who becomes an important figure in his life. He shows Canada how to conduct himself on the street while also talking to him about books: “He read books and he was proud of it” (55). Canada is also protected by his association with Mike, who is known around the neighborhood as a tough, cool character.

Mike also shows Canada how to be a better basketball player, and one day this leads to a frightening misadventure. Canada is waiting for Mike on the sidewalk, holding Mike’s basketball, while Mike gets ready in his apartment. He is absently bouncing the ball against a stop sign while he is waiting, when he misses the sign and hits a car instead. A large, angry man suddenly appears, demanding that Canada give him the ball; he is the owner of the car that has been hit. As Canada is hesitating, wanting neither to fight the man nor to surrender Mike’s ball, Mike and his friend Junior come to his rescue. Mike first asks the man politely to give him back the ball, suggesting that there has been a misunderstanding; in this way, he gives the man an opportunity to save face while also avoiding a fight.