In The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, who is Mr. Robert?

In The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis, the Watson family goes to Alabama to visit Grandma Sands, Momma’s mother. When the family arrives, Grandma Sands says she is glad that they are there, because she could use a little help; Mr. Robert cannot do all of the things he used to do. No one, however, including Momma, knows who Mr. Robert is.

Later, after meeting Mr. Robert, Momma begins asking Grandma Sands questions about him. Momma likes Mr. Robert, but she is concerned about his relationship with Grandma Sands. Grandma Sands does not appreciate Momma’s intrusion into her life. She reminds Momma that she has been alone for almost twenty years since her husband died. Mr. Robert is her closest friend and companion. Kenny, the narrator, hears this interchange between his mother and Grandma Sands and thinks his mother is behaving like a child who has been reprimanded.