This Tender Land

Two days later, as they arrive in St. Paul, Mose points out landmarks where White soldiers brutalized Native American people. That night, their first on the banks of the Mississippi, Odie observes Mose making a sound that he interprets as a kind of prayer.

The next day, they make their way downstream to the West Side Flats across the river from downtown St. Paul. While Albert goes to look for Gertie Hellman, the woman Forrest mentioned, Odie encounters three boys about his age. Albert returns and takes them half a mile downstream, where they leave their canoe with a man named Wooster Morgan after mentioning Gertie’s name. As they walk from the river to Gertie’s café, Odie observes that the people living in the Flats, while poor, are generally happy. Arriving at the café, they are greeted by Gertie, whom Odie briefly mistakes for a man.

Gertie introduces them to Flo, her partner, who feeds them. After eating, they shower in public baths before returning to the café, where they meet Forrest’s brother, Calvin, or “Cal,” as well as Flo’s brother, Truman “Tru” Waters, a towboat operator.