Has anyone read Raymond's Run?

Question

How would you explain the conflicts between Squeaky and Cynthia Procter and Squeaky and Gretchen?

How do Squeaky's feeling's about Raymond change?

How does her view of Gretchen change?

How does her view of herself change?

Answer 1

Raymond's run is a short story written by Toni Cade Barbara. Hazel is a black girl who is really good at running and Raymond is his older brother, though he is mentally younger, their life changes all of a sudden, once they  come face-to face with Gretchen and her followers. Gretchen is a newcomer to the neighborhood and a potential rival of Hazel’s for the fifty-yard dash. She is a rival in other ways as well: Gretchen’s followers Mary Louise and Rosie were once friends of Hazel. Mary Louise attempts to tease Raymond, but is no match for Hazel’s razor-sharp wit. Hazel and Gretchen size each other up, but decide against a confrontation. Hazel notes that Gretchen’s smile at her is ‘‘really not a smile’’ because ‘‘girls never really smile at each other.’’