How does Ishmael’s uncle fit into the story?

In Chapter 18, Beah recalls to Leslie an Uncle Tommy whom his father had sometimes spoken of, but whom he has never met. It happens that Uncle Tommy lives in the city. Leslie takes the information Beah has given him to continue his search, despite the fact that Beah is not optimistic that he will find a living relative.

Later, Leslie brings Beah’s uncle to visit him at the center. The older man greets Beah with great affection and even begins to weep. Despite Beah’s protest that he does not know the man, Uncle Tommy replies “…we cannot go back. but we can start from here. I am your family and that is enough for us to begin liking each other”(p. 172). Beah’s uncle promises to visit every weekend and anticipates the day when Beah can return with him to his home to meet his aunt and their children. Beah is pleasantly surprised that his uncle keeps his word and visits every week; the two go on long walks and get to know one another.

One weekend, Uncle Tommy takes Beah to visit his wife and children. Beah’s greets the boy as her “son,” just as his uncle had, and introduces him to their children - actually the children of family members whom the couple has raised as their own. Beah later learns that his grandfather had had many wives and that he has many more relatives than he had ever known about.