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"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.