ALMA: Odelia’s doing most of the talking–getting drunker and stupider by the minute holding this champagne glass–(ODELIA) “Ain’t this gloriable like?” (ALMA) She downs the champagne quickly, wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, grinning–grinning a Stephin Fetchit grin. She then reaches for the gin glass. In my head I pray, “God, let me disappear.”

EUGENE: Daddy keeps staring hard at Odelia but he keeps filling her gin glass. He fills his and Momma’s bourbon glasses as well. He can see that she’s far gone but keeps filling her glass. I try to make a joke of it. “Well, I guess Odelia is feeling pretty fine”–

ALMA: I’m looking at Thelma who’s also drunk. Her light skin is now ruddy from bourbon. She says,

EUGENE: (THELMA) “You look nice tonight Alma.”

ALMA: “Thank you.” (ODELIA) “Thelma, you know you a little tipsy. You just as red as you can be.” (To Alma) “Alma, maybe you and Gene can make some purty yella babies.”

(Silence)

EUGENE: The silence is loud, piercing at the table–

ALMA: I get up–I have to–I have to get up and shake that room. I get up and say “I would like very much to make an announcement.” I take a sip of champagne. I look over at Odelia who’s grinning that ridiculous grin. I look at her with this fake flower in her hair which is now lopsided–I look at her with her legs now spread wide apart and know she thinks I’m going to announce that me and Gene are getting married. I look her in the face and say “I’ve been accepted to Hunter College in New York City in the fall with full financial aid and I’m going.”

EUGENE: I feel my mouth going dry. I turn to Daddy. “Excuse me sir. I know that drinking age isn’t until you’re twenty-one but I really could use a shot of bourbon right now.”

ALMA: I look over at Gene–he avoids my eyes–

EUGENE: Daddy says, (ROBERT) “Alma you are really going places–you’re taking the bull by the horns–good for you.”

ALMA: Thelma looks at me–

EUGENE: (THELMA) “Oh how nice”–

ALMA: She looks at me thin-lipped/tight-lipped–glad I’m going–

EUGENE: Daddy looks at me and says, (ROBERT) “Well, Gene. Wyce is joining the service and Alma’s going up north. It seems like everybody is passing you by.”

ALMA: Mr. Gaines says, (ROBERT) “Alma, you’re just like me–you’re making something of yourself. You and I know what it’s like to struggle.” (ALMA) He goes to the bar and gets more bottles of bourbon and gin and puts them on the table. He refills his glass yet again and he pats my knee. His hand lingers–I push his hand away–