Ku qor sii wadida cutubkan - Johnny Jack Nounes wuxuu ku dhashay John Louis Nonus magaalada Galveston, Texas, Emanuel iyo Angelica (Pinto) Nonus, oo labaduba ah muhaajiriin ka yimid Portugal. Labaduba waxay u haajireen New Orleans, Louisiana sanadkii 1872, markii dambena waxay ku guursadeen Galveston wax yar ka dib markii ay kulmeen. Qoyska Nonus waxay lahaayeen shan iyo toban carruur ah, laakiin lix ayaa ku dhintay carruurnimadii; sagaalka kale waxay ahaayeen Mary, Lyda, Annie, Mellie, Lily, Beatrice, Mabel, Johnny, iyo Francis. Sanadkii 1900, duufaantii Galveston ee 1900
wuxuu ku dhuftay jasiirada. Intii lagu guda jiray duufaankan burburka ah, Emanuel wuxuu ku guuleystay inuu dalool ka sameeyo saqafka guriga si uu u badbaadiyo dhammaan carruurta; Johnny wuxuu ahaa toban jir.