Teresa is portrayed as a troubled youth who had to face the issue of her mother's imprisonment for the death of her younger sister, Kenya. Throughout the novel a maturation process takes place with Teresa. She is becoming a woman and dealing with her fear of forgiving her mother for the death of her sister. Ma'Adele is Lena's mother and Teresa's grandmother, and in my eyes she is the strongest character in the novel. Ma'Adele fit the description of most grandmothers in African-American families.

Ma'Adele seems flawless; she was a beautiful woman, Teresa states in

Each time I looked at my grandmother's face I saw the shadow and the promise of my mother and myself. My grandmother had aged with staunch dignity. Each year her high cheekbones, Cherokee nose, and dark skin grew persistent, more right. I took refuge in her that face...(4)

Ma' Adele was also seen as a rescuer during Teresa's younger years. Teresa states that: "Ma'Adele came to see us often during those months, sometimes two or three times a week, and her visits always had the feel of a rescue mission (183). She always showed up when times were at its worst. This also refers to "Mom" when couples in the family had there differences she would always take the children to her house and it seemed like a safe haven for that short period of time. One could lose themselves in her affection and her cooking. Southern hospitality.

In comparison, Ma'Adele is in many ways like my own great-grandmother, Kitty Mom. Mary Wessels, which is formal, names my great-grandmother, but t

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ma'Adele Lena's, Lena Teresa, Teresa Ma'Adele, Mom Mom, Washington DC, Kenya Throughout, Ma'Adele African-Americas, Marita Golden, Teresa Teresa, Mary Wessels, death sister, marita golden, african-american families,
Approximate Word count = 656
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)