The story "The Kool-Aid Wino" is being told through the eyes of the friend of the Kool-Aid kid. I believe that even though the story is being told positively, the boy who makes the Kool-Aid is a negative character. The narrator is looking at this boy through rose-colored glasses. Since he is a friend who's injured and poor, the narrator doesn't see that his friend could be using him and the Kool-Aid as an escape. The word 'Wino' in the title implies someone who drinks a cheap watered-down wine and leaches off of others to support their habit.

   Who is this friend who supplies the kid with the nickel; what does he get out of the situation? There is never an indication that the Kool-Aid kid is going to share his drink. This friend may see the whole ceremony as something wonderful. He may feel that he is helping his friend get a moment of enjoyment in his miserable life. Maybe its a deal that they have and the nickel is just his part of the bargain. Or maybe its just curiosity as to what this whole Kool-Aid ceremony will lead up to. Whatever the reason, he supplies the nickel, and it sounds like that this supplying of money is a repetitive occurrence. If the friend really wants to help the Kool-Aid kid, he should help save up money for a possible operation in the future.

   The Kool-Aid kid comes from a very large and poor family. They weren't even able to afford an operation and coming from a large family he may feel neglected. Because of this, I get a sense of resentment and uncaring attitude about what happens with his family. He ignores the fact that there are younger children sitting in the kitchen in wet diapers, which is a very unhealthy environment and can get everyone sick. Maybe because of bis rupture, he can't bend down to pick up the heavy wet diapers, or maybe it's not his responsibility to take care of these children because they aren't his siblings or it's not his job. These are examples that could be used to dismiss his lack of reaction to the unhealthy situation but from the story he clearly just steps around the problem. This shows a lack of self-motivation and self-preservation. He could very well get sick and die from all of this filth in close proximity to his food.

   The Kool-Aid kid may use this Kool-Aid ceremony as an escape from the depressing life life he has to lead. In this sense it is good: it brings out his imagination and it seems to make him feel better. What is really going to harm him, though, is closing himself off from reality, responsibility, and his family. In the long run, these could far better benefit him tghan the making of Kool-Aid. The fact that picking beans only brings in two-and-one half cents per pound proves he's wasting whatever and whoever's money he can get on a frivolous thing. He could be saving up this money so that he could eventually get the operation, or he could use the money to contribute to his family. He ignores his mother and puts off his duties; these simple things such as the dishes he can do even with his injury . Where is the respect that his mother deserves?  I understand how kids tend to ignore their parents when they are concentrating. But, "it was as if she had never been there at all" is like the kid heard a noise coming from his mother and he said "Sure, whatever" and then completely blanked out the conversation or lack of one. Maybe he'll do them later, but who knows? Did he even hear her?

   This kid who makes the Kool-Aid has created his own reality at the expense of others: he is a user and avoids reality and responsibility. Unless he comes back to reality, he sounds like he will never be a productive part of society; instead, he will become a burden. And, who knows, maybe he will move from being Kool-Aid Wino to being a real one?