Music in My Heart: My Journey with Melody

By nighttime, Melody and I have made a big decision. We are going to the demonstration tomorrow. I’m still nervous, especially when Melody tells me why Yvonne’s wrist is in a cast. Melody explains to me that she broke it when she was arrested in Mississippi. She went down with other college students to help black people register to vote and to teach school to kids. Some white people in the area weren’t happy about it. Yvonne was talking to some black folks when she was arrested for disturbing the peace. A police officer pulled her off their porch, and she tripped and hurt herself.

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

Even though tomorrow is important, there’s something I have to admit to Melody. It’s too big to keep inside. I tell her that I feel homesick. I think I need to go home tomorrow after the demonstration. Melody looks surprised and asks if I have to wait for the choir bus. I shake my head and say I can get home on my own. I haven’t left yet because it’s been really fun to stay with Melody and her family. But now I want to see my own family.

Melody’s face falls, but she squeezes my hand and I know she understands. She says she’s glad that I will be at the demonstration in the morning. She wouldn’t want to be there without me.