But Miss Celia the way she stares at me with those big eyes like I’m the best thing since hairspray in a can, I almost rather she’d order me around like she supposed to.
The only way you’re going to keep sharp is to read and write every day.
I am looking for a future for myself. I like to hear about the possibilities of others.
Hilly raises her voice about three octaves higher when she talks to coloured people. Elizabeth smiles like she’s talking to a child, although certainly not her own. I am starting to notice things.
Be the prettiest book I ever seen. The cover is pale blue, color a the sky. And a big white bird – a peace dove – spreads its wings from end to end.
Because I long to feel nothing. I want to be frozen inside. I want the icy cold to blow directly on my heart.
Courage sometimes skips a generation. Thank you for bringing it back to our family.
Chicken’s been soaking in the buttermilk,” I say. “Now mix up the dry.” I pour flour, salt, more salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne into a doubled paper sack.
I am not spending my final days in a hospital, nor will I turn my own house into one.” Doctor.
You is kind,” she say, “you is smart. You is important.
There is so much you don’t know about a person. I wonder if I could’ve made her days a little bit easier, if I’d tried. If I’d treated her a little nicer. Wasn’t that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I’d thought.
They ain’t rich folk, that I know. Rich folk don’t try so hard. I.
I choke then. The tears roll down. It’s all them white peoples that breaks me, standing around the colored neighborhood. White peoples with guns, pointed at colored peoples. Cause who gone protect our peoples? Ain’t no colored policemans.
Cokes at Phi Delta Theta parties and.
I like telling my stories. It feels like I’m doing something about it. When I leave, the concrete in my chest has loosened, melted down so I can breathe for a few days.
Even though he is asking to be my husband, I don’t know him enough to trust him completely.
It’s mighty strange, without a doubt Nobody knows you when you’re down and out.
She smiling big now. She don’t have no teeth showing, just a lip smile, kind you got to watch.
If any white lady reads my story, that’s what I want them to know. Saying thank you, when you really mean it, when you remember what some done for you” – she shakes her head, stares down at the scratched table – “it’s so good.
Cat got on the porch this morning, bout give me a cadillac arrest.