Chunk at Risk "Chunk" as James is known among his friends, cleans the family car every weekend even though he cannot drive it. The family cannot afford car insurance, thus no license. Like many teens, Chunk is dissatisfied with his family life. He is more at ease and finds more comfort with friends, particularly outside of the house. Cynthia gives Chunk a stern lecture after he came home and mouthed off to her. She tries to keep a tight leash on her son and has strict rules, particularly when it comes to curfew. The 31-year-old mother recently gave birth to twins alone because their father, Chunk's stepfather, is in jail for drug possession. She divorced his first father when he was six. Because his grades were not high enough the year before, Chunk was cut from the football team. He has worked to raise his marks, but often resorts to cheating. A classmate passes him a crib note during a biology quiz. "Every test I get his answers, but change them a little so the teacher won't know," he said. The Hemp Kings, Chunk's party crew, gather for lunch each day at the high school. Usually without enough money on hand to buy his own meal, Chunk gets food or money from the others. With the bedroom window his only way into the apartment after getting locked out, Chunk manages to get in after forgetting his keys and wallet. He did not get far with his friends before realizing he did not have the two items. Chunk does not realize his own strength as he plays or horses around with friends. This is evident as he chokes friend Benito too tightly. Being stoned, Chunk says, is the only time he forgets his troubles. He and his friends get high when the marijuana is available. That means when they have enough money. After smoking $20 worth of weed in celebration of a friend's birthday, each of the boys takes turns hitting her on the leg sixteen times-once for each of her years. Home after spending a Friday night searching for a party never found, Chunk' sister Christina curls up with him in his bedroom as his friends play Nintendo.
