The Color of Water

After extricating herself from Rocky, Ruth gets a job at a diner and starts dating Dennis. After getting over the initial shock of seeing Dennis date a white woman, his family fully embraces Ruth, particularly his Aunt Candis in North Carolina. Dennis, however, remains uncomfortable with marrying Ruth. Instead, they live together as married partners, despite the fact that Dennis is a strict Christian in every other respect.

Ruth misses Mameh and Dee-Dee terribly. When she calls home, Tateh tells her she must return to Suffolk immediately to help run the store and take care of Mameh, whose health continues to worsen. Ruth agrees to visit but vows not to stay very long.

Upon returning to Suffolk, she finds that Tateh and Mameh’s marriage is on the verge of disintegration. Having all but abandoned his rabbinical customs and decorum, Tateh is dating a married white woman, taking her out on the Sabbath while Mameh and Dee-Dee stay home and light candles. Once Ruth returns, Tateh immediately badgers her to convince Mameh to grant him a divorce. But Mameh cannot divorce Tateh because she is sick and has no one else. Eventually, Tateh gets a “quickie divorce” in Reno (199).