Whenever Mike flew into town, Audrey and her momma Coo-ooked! Barbecued ribs, stewed greens, sweet potato soufflé, and Audrey’s favorite hot rolls baptized in butter.
Other folks knew Mike as Martin or Dr. King. The Hendrickses used his nickname. They did the same with other ministers too like Fred Shuttlesworth and Jim Bevel.
After Mike blessed the feast, Momma expected Audrey to keep still during supper. But when grown-ups talked about wiping out the segregation laws that kept black and white people apart in Birmingham, she just had to speak up. Audrey intended to go places and do things like anybody else.
I want to eat my ice cream inside Newberry’s!
I want to sit downstairs at the Alabama!
I don’t want hand-me-down schoolbooks!
But stools at the counter, plush movie theater seats, books so fresh they’d crackle when you open them those were for white children.
Hush! hissed Momma. Nine-year-old children should not speak in front of company, especially ministers like Mike, Fred, and Jim, who were bringing dreams of justice.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is Audrey's favorite dish?
A. Stewed greens
B. Hot rolls baptized in butter
C. Barbecued ribs
A. She is saying some rude things to the guests
B. She is being too loud and disrupting their conversation
C. Nine-year-old children should not speak in front of company
Your Thoughts
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.