The Medicine Woman of Galveston

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual violence, substance use, sexual content, physical abuse, ableism, and racism.

The next morning, Darl heads over to Tucia’s wagon to fix her window. Darl allows Toby to help, so Tucia stays inside the entire time, watching them work. Darl also offers to fix all the other broken things in the wagon. Tucia says she mentioned them to Huey, but Darl suggests she ought to come to him directly.

In response to Tucia’s questions, Darl reveals he learned how to use tools and fix things on his father’s farm in Tennessee, though not from his father. Darl asserts that his father “was a drunkard who never taught [Darl] a damned thing” (239). Darl’s mother died giving birth to him, and for some years he was raised by his grandmother. However, his father came looking for him one day, asserting that a boy who could “pass” shouldn’t live with people of color.

Tucia, who hadn’t realized Darl was Black, realizes this is why, unlike other medicine shows, theirs didn’t have anyone dressing in “blackface.” She apologizes to Darl for laughing at the “blackface” comedian in the Kickapoos’ show. Darl accepts her apology and promises Toby to return the next day so they can fix a broken chair together.