Road Home: List 2

by Rex Ogle
In this final chapter of his memoir trilogy, Rex is forced out of his family home by his father and travels to New Orleans, trying to find somewhere he belongs.

This list covers vocabulary from "miles between"–"first date."

Here are links to our lists for the book: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8
25 words 38 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. segregation
    a social system that provides different facilities for minority groups
    It’s a state of segregation and homophobia.
  2. swarm
    move in large numbers
    I have no idea what a beignet is, but people are swarming in droves to get them.
  3. retrieve
    get or find back; recover the use of
    At a pay phone, I get out my wallet and retrieve the page with Russell’s number on it.
  4. reschedule
    assign a new time and place for an event
    “Well, you’re here now. Look, I can’t reschedule tonight. I’m on my way out the door. But let’s grab dinner tomorrow night if you’re free.”
  5. wander
    move about aimlessly or without any destination
    I wander the streets on foot.
  6. banishment
    exclusion or rejection from a place or group
    But there is no banishment here.
  7. motive
    the reason that arouses action toward a desired goal
    Cause he’ll question my motives in our friendship, question whether I ever checked him out.
  8. convincing
    causing one to believe the truth of something
    Though I don’t know how convincing my own voice is.
  9. oppressive
    weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
    Away from the crowds, the night seems more oppressive.
  10. contract
    become smaller or draw together
    Then the world contracts, closing in on me.
  11. smear
    smudge or soil by smudging
    A footprint smears a flyer for a jazz band next to a rat lying dead on the bricked sidewalk.
  12. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
    Then, without buying anything, I walk outside, back into the sweltering heat.
  13. pang
    a mental pain or distress
    I ignore the pang in my heart.
  14. adjacent
    having a common boundary or edge
    Adjacent is a kitchen, with a humming fridge, a sink, a small table in the center of the room.
  15. cologne
    a perfumed liquid made of essential oils and alcohol
    He wears a polo shirt, khaki shorts, and a spray of cologne.
  16. soulful
    filled with or expressing deep emotion
    Smooth and soulful jazz music flutters down lightly from a speaker overhead.
  17. classy
    elegant and fashionable
    “Bring your own beer. Or in this case, wine. Cause I’m classy like that.”
  18. chortle
    laugh quietly or with restraint
    Russell chortles.
  19. progressive
    favoring or promoting modern or innovative ideas
    Then he leans in too, whispering, “Sorry, we gotta hold hands under the table, but as progressive as this city is, we’re still in the South.”
  20. justify
    defend, explain, or make excuses for by reasoning
    But I justify it, reminding myself I haven’t eaten all day.
  21. effeminate
    lacking traits typically associated with men or masculinity
    Guess I was kind of effeminate when I was little.
  22. aroma
    a distinctive odor that is pleasant
    I inhale the aroma of my dish.
  23. mischievous
    naughtily or annoyingly playful
    “I bet you are,” Russell says with a mischievous grin.
  24. snicker
    laugh quietly
    Russell snickers.
  25. sobering
    tending to make someone serious and thoughtful
    It’s sobering, but not enough.
Created on Thu May 22 08:17:46 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Jun 10 15:12:22 EDT 2025)

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