I give in and light another cigarette even though last night the surgeon general came on the television set and shook his finger at everybody, trying to convince us that smoking will kill us. But Mother once told me tongue kissing would turn me blind and I'm starting to think it's all just a big plot between the surgeon general and Mother to make sure no one ever has any fun.

Sorry is the fool who ever underestimates my mother.

Frying chicken always makes me feel a little better about life.

She dumb.” I sigh. “But she ain’t stupid.

All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries.

...and that's when I get to wondering, what would happen if I told her she something good, ever day?

Only three things them ladies talk about: they kids, they clothes, and they friends. I hear the word Kennedy, I know they ain’t discussing no politic. They talking about what Miss Jackie done wore on the tee-vee.