Well Cypress, I am so glad you are studying so hard again. I was concerned while you were in California that you would do only the dances the Negroes have always done; all that jumping around and backside movement. I know you’ve never believed me, but it’s on account of all that hip swinging that we colored women have such large rear ends. It has something to do with muscle development and gravity. That’s all I know about it, but you remember what a hard time you had in the ballet . . . (smile). Anyway, if you keep going to classes that build up your technique, something good is bound to happen.

Your new friends, Idrina and Ixchell, sound very nice, but don’t forget how I told all my girls that close women friends are always more trouble than they are pleasure. You can’t ever keep your business to yourself, or be certain that your very own beau isn’t the light of their life. Really, this is how women act. Seems we can’t be true to anyone who isn’t family.

So you be careful around all those women. Don’t tell them too much. And don’t introduce them to any of your fellas . . .’less you want to learn the hard way. Remember Mrs. Buchanan; well, she got to be Mrs. Buchanan by seducing her very best friend’s fiancé during choir practice. That should be a lesson to you. Women will use you ’til you get some sense and keep to yourself, while being just as sociable and polite as a lady can be.

Sweetheart, you didn’t mention whether you were taking any advanced ballet; I mean, do you still use your toe shoes? If you need some new ones, maybe I can contribute to that! Take real good care of yourself. Mind, you keep your distance from women with so little to do they stay around each other all the time, and pray that God’ll see his way to placing you with a fine ballet company in New York City.

Lovingly,
Mama

Chapter 14

Usually drinking made Cypress witty and lovey or terribly sleepy and lovey. Now it only made her quiet. And she drank all night, coming in as Celine and Ixchell were going to rehearsal. She slept all day. Around eight or nine she got up and dressed to go out drinking until the next day. She never said anything, not “how ya doin” or “see ya,” she just stared and smiled to herself when someone spoke to her.