Music in My Heart: My Journey with Melody

When Melody and I decide to stay home, Big Momma pulls us into a hug, saying it’s hard to celebrate when people we care about are hurting, but church and family dinner will help our hearts. Melody asks if Yvonne is coming, since we need to talk to her about the performance hall, and Big Momma says all of Melody’s siblings will be there.

An hour later in church, all I can think about is Al and Josephine. While the pastor talks about helping others, I wonder what two girls could possibly do against a whole city.

I can’t wait for Sunday dinner, mostly to meet Melody’s big sister Yvonne, who Melody says will know what to do. Once I meet everyone, I like all of Melody’s siblings: quiet Lila, who reads constantly and even sneaks a book under the table before dinner starts (I’ve done that too). Dwayne, tapping a rhythm on the table with his spoon and winking at me, though I still feel shy knowing he’s sort of famous. And Yvonne, rushing in a minute before the food is served, a colorful scarf over her Afro and a cast on her wrist, before Poppa starts carrying in steaming bowls of food.

Surrounded by Melody’s family, I feel a wave of homesickness for Mom and Dad, until Melody tells Yvonne about Al and Josephine’s. Yvonne says we should stage a demonstration. She can rally her friends in the Student Walk to Freedom Club, and if enough people surround the building, they can’t tear it down. Melody’s dad says that sounds dangerous, and Mrs. Ellison points out the Fieldston’s protest Melody marched in was carefully organized, not thrown together. Mr. Ellison adds there weren’t bulldozers there, either.

Yvonne argues moving quickly doesn’t mean being unorganized. Big Momma, setting a bowl of potatoes on the table, says there are other ways to raise our voices too. I catch Yvonne and Melody exchange a determined look. Yvonne offers to bring us along and look out for us, since it’d be good experience standing up for something we believe in.

Melody’s parents look doubtful, and honestly, standing in front of a construction crew sounds dangerous. What would my own parents think? My stomach flutters with nerves and homesickness as Melody gives me that look again. What do you think we should do?