Music in My Heart: My Journey with Melody

By nighttime, Melody and I have made a big decision. We’re going to the demonstration tomorrow. I’m still nervous, especially after Melody tells me why Yvonne’s wrist is in a cast. Yvonne broke it getting arrested in Mississippi, where she’d gone with other college students to help Black people register to vote and teach school. Some White people weren’t happy about it. A police officer arrested Yvonne for disturbing the peace while she talked with Black folks on a porch, and pulling her off it made her fall and hurt her wrist.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Yvonne seems even braver now, and I feel more scared than ever. What if we get arrested tomorrow too? Or hurt? But I don’t want to disappoint Melody, and Al and Josephine need our help.

Even with tomorrow so important, I have to admit something to Melody. I’m homesick and need to go home after the demonstration. Melody looks surprised, asking if I need the choir bus, but I can get home on my own. Staying with Melody and her family has been fun, but now I want to see my own family.

Melody’s face falls, but she squeezes my hand, and I know she understands. She’s glad I’m coming to the demonstration in the morning. She wouldn’t want to go without me.