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The main character in the novel is Buck Rawlins who is a Catholic High School teenager living in Williston Park, NY, a small Long Island town in the early 1960's. Buck is planning to take his new friend, Rhea Schwartz (also a teenager), from Old Brookville, NY, another small Long Island town, as his guest to Jones Beach for a high school beach party. Rhea is Jewish, and Buck met her the week before in Chapter 10 "The Party At Sand's Point".
Buck's Mom (Christine Rawlins) is trying to warn Buck about dating a girl of a different religion than him. Buck's nine year old brother, Michael, is at the kitchen table listening to the conversation and he is obviously confused about these issues. Buck's sister, Carole, also a teenager, is with them in the kitchen.
"Will The Laughter Stop? BABY BOOMER CHRONICLES" by James J. Brown c. 2007. An excerpt from Chapter 11 "A Day At Jones Beach"
[Excerpt of conversations from the novel starting at page 142 and going to page 143.]
Buck: [To his mother] " Yes, Mom, I believe she is. [Jewish] But who cares? .... She's pretty and fun to be with. That's all. I don't care if she's Jewish or Presbyterian," I added.
Michael [Buck's nine year old brother]: "Will somebody tell me what 'Jewish' is," queried Michael. "And what is 'Presleytareian'?", said Michael looking confused.
Buck: "Michael, Jewish and Presbyterian are other people who have different religious beliefs than Catholics.", I said.
Michael: "What are 'beliefs'?" questioned Michael.
Buck: "I give up. Nine year olds just have too many questions about life." I said to Michael.
Christine Rawlins [Buck's mom]: "Well, dear, I'm just a little surprised. After all, our family is Catholic, and has been as long as I can remember, both on my side and on your Father's side," said Christine Rawlins firmly.
Michael: "Are people who aren't Catholic on a different side than us?" asked Michael pondering.
Buck: "Mom, be real, I'm only taking her to the beach. We're not walking down the aisle at St. Aidan's tomorrow." I replied quickly.
Christine Rawlins: "You'd better not be! Why, your Uncle, Father O'Brien, would roll over in his grave!" said my mom, kind of raising her voice.
Michael: "Was Father O'Brien my uncle too?" asked Michael.
Carole Rawlins [Buck's sister, a year younger than Buck] "No, not really, Michael, he died before you were born."
Buck: "Mom, he's been dead now for several years. Why are you bringing him up?" I asked.
Carole: "If he ever saw the body on that Rhea Schwartz, it might bring him up, even in his condition, " whispered Carole to Buck with cupped hands over her mouth.
Buck thinking: I smiled back at her, thinking to myself that sometimes sisters are okay.
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