Finding Fish

Antwone Fisher dedicates his autobiography to his father, Eddie Elkins. Industry is thriving in Cleveland in 1959 when the story starts. Horace Elkins is a respected part of the Glenville community. Horace’s surname was taken from a slave plantation owner the previous generation. An educated man, he is married to Emma, who caretakes both her own nine children and other local kids. After much debate, Horace quits his oppressive job at the hospital.

Horace’s son, Eddie, also walks away from military service. He is gifted and attractive, charming the local girls, but also has a temper. Eddie has two children by Frances, whose stepfather molests her and will shortly be released from prison. Concerned for his children’s welfare, Eddie pressures Frances to take them to his sister’s. A month previously, he even threatened Frances with a gun. Emma and Horace both have strange premonitions on the hot day that Eddie leaves the family’s house in a suit and high spirits.

Meanwhile, Jess Fisher is elated after taking a job at the union office. The oldest of six children, he has recently returned from the war in Japan. After his mother’s death, his siblings were scattered, unable to cohabit with their alcoholic father. The youngest, Eva, entered foster care at the age of twelve. Imprisoned for three years for truancy and other misdemeanors, Eva is pregnant with Eddie Elkins’ child at 17.

Eva and Eddie share a love of music, and though she knows about his other women, she also knows he is from a good family. Eddie tells her that they aren’t a couple, but Eva plans to have the child, which she hopes will bring them together. Eddie arrives outside Frances’ house, shouting for her to come out. Frances loves Eddie but knows that he is fiery, as he has beaten her before. Eddie tries to kick the door down, and Frances grabs a shotgun. She aims it at Eddie, but he ignores her. She fires, killing him.

Emma Elkins hears of the murder and prays for the boy and his family before discovering she has prayed for herself. After the funeral, none of the Elkinses speak of the death. Two months later, Antwone Fisher is born, entering the foster home of Nellie Strange, since his mother, Eva Fisher, cannot provide for him. At two, he is placed in the care of Reverend and Mrs. Pickett. Their house is home to several other foster children. Antwone is confused about who his parents are and tries to find them wherever he goes. As he gets older, Antwone fantasizes less about his mother and more about having a father who is proud of him.