Waterproof

Tyree Battle is told over the phone at merchant Eli Zeal's store her son Thaniel has played truancy. Thaniel, under the influence of two thugs, shoots Eli in the arm after a failed robbery. Tyree discovers him next to a wounded Eli and decides to drive them to the store for supplies to help Eli. After asking if Eli has any relatives to notify, to which he denies, she calls her mother Viola and briefly tells her she'll be arriving in Waterproof, Louisiana, her hometown. When they reach Waterproof, she tells Viola she wants Thaniel to stay and that he needs schooling. Though happy of their arrival, Viola is annoyed by Eli and disheartened that Tyree is only staying one day. Sugar, a centenarian; and Natty Battle, the brother of Tyree who is a mentally challenged man, converse with Thaniel while Viola argues with Tyree on why she didn't write. 'Brother Big' Battle, a proud alcoholic, walks in and talks with Tyree, and sees Eli sleeping in the house.