" Chil', there things in this world you don't know about yet. We your family, that never change. Even when you find a white boy and gets married, we still your family. Mama always your mama, Belle always your Belle."

I stopped crying. "What about Papa and Ben?" I asked hopefully.

"They watch out for you just like now. Abinia" - Mama looked into my eyes - "you on the winnin' side. One day might be you lookin' out for us. "

― Kathleen Grissom , The Kitchen House