"Where, Mama?" I asked, wide-eyed with
expectation. What secrets about my future did Mama
know?
"I don't know right off," she said. "but I know it
will be a wonderful place where people are dressed
fancy and live in big mansions and have beautiful
things like pianos and gardens and nice cars." "Bentatha's going too, isn't she. Mama?" I
asked looking back at my sister squatting on the floor
by the dollhouse. She wasn't really listening. "I hope so," Mama said. "I hope you're all
going."
"What about you. Mama?"
"I'll be there, too." she promised. "Just leave the
door open."
"What's that mean. Mama? Leave the door
open?"
She laughed.
"I'm just funning with you, child. Come here,"
she said and held out her arms for me to run to. She
held me close and kissed my forehead and stroked my
hair.
"You're the coolness after the hot, burning sun.
Rain. You're the hope."
She let me go and turned back to the
preparations for dinner. When I looked toward Roy's
room. I saw him peering out at me, his face locked in
a soft smile.
Why was I so special? I wondered. In my house
I felt like a star. Mama and Roy made me believe I
could sparkle when I walked and talked. They made
me think I was blessed and protected.