As Walter Lee's agonizing conflicts tear at the family's roots, Lena demonstrates trust in him by making a small down payment on the house and then giving him the rest of the money on the promise that he'll save some for his sister's education. But when he risks it all on the liquor store, only to have his partner run off with the money, Walter Lee is faced with the ugly job of selling the house to a neighborhood home owners association that is determined to keep African-Americans out. Yet, at the last moment, he rejects their offer and begins moving the family into their new home.
