Why did it matter so much for Hiram to know if his dad and grampa ever fished together?

It mattered a lot to Hiram to know if his father and grandfather ever fished together because he wanted to see what their relationship really was like. He could not understand why his father and grandfather don't seem to see eye to eye anymore, which make it difficult for him to understand his father. He wanted to establish the relationship of his father and grandfather to understand them and their conflicting interests.

Explanation:

The historical fiction novel Mississippi Trial by Chris Crowe revolves around the kidnapping and murder of a black boy named Emmett Till. The narrator of the story, Hiram had known and considered Till his friend, which complicated the plot further for the segregation issue was at large in the South.

Chapter 10 of the novel shows Grandpa telling Hiram about his father's (Hiram's) fishing days. This topic meant a lot to Hiram because he has a close relationship with his grandpa whereas he felt his father and grandfather no longer see eye to eye. He may not understand the cause of the conflict but he couldn't believe his father would be cold to his own father. He wondered how their relationship could have soured and what made them such conflicting characters whenever they are together.

- the heat nearly killed them that first summer.