It weren’t too loo long before I seen something in me, had changed. A bitter seed was planted inside of me. And I just didn’t feel so, accepting, anymore.

No one tells us, girls who don't go on dates, that remembering can be almost as good as what actually happens.

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

I'm sorry, but were you dropped on your head as an infant?

Miss Celia stares down into the pot like she's looking for her future. "Are you happy, Minny?" "Why you ask me funny questions like that?" "But are you?" "Course I's happy. You happy too. Big house, big yard, husband looking after you." I frown at Miss Celia and I make sure she can see it. Because ain't that white people for you, wondering if they are happy ENOUGH.

That's the way prayer do. It's like electricity, it keeps things going.

This woman talk like she from so deep in the country she got corn growing in her shoes.