They Cage the Animals at Night

“They left me in the middle of what seemed to be a thousand staring eyes. […] The eyes kept staring while my mind raced: What’s wrong with Mom? Why did she push me away from her? Where is she? Where am I?” 

When Jennings’ mother abandons him, she does not explain why and she lies to him, saying that she will be right back, which only adds to Jennings’ isolation and confusion. This is the first of a series of abandonments that break down Jennings’ worldview and forces him to reevaluate whom he can trust and how he can emotionally connect with others.

“I couldn’t believe Mom didn’t want me anymore. I tried to remember what bad thing I did for Mom to leave me here.”

This is the first moment Jennings has to process that his mother has left him behind; he is now a child in foster care. Burch writes in an innocent, matter-of-fact voice that reflects both his shock and his childlike innocence. No one has explained to Jennings why he is in a foster home, so he is left to ponder that question alone.

“‘There are no friends in here. They just hang around him and laugh when he laughs. They don’t want him to pick on them.’

‘What do you mean there are no friends in here? Aren’t we friends?’

He didn’t answer me. He sat looking out across the floor at the kids playing and fighting.” 

This exchange between Jennings and Mark on Jennings’ first day in the home exemplifies the children’s constant isolation. Because their lives are regimented and some children come and go, they do not form lasting friendships. Tragically, the experienced children do not even seek to form friendships, knowing that there is no point.