Secret Agent Mother
- On the ground, Vonetta feels more comfortable than Fern and asks the million-dollar question that's on everybody's minds: What do they call Cecile?
- Mom? Ma? Cecile? Hey, you?
- Delphine has an answer of course: Cecile is "Cecile" and when they describe her to other people, they call her "Mother," a plain, dry, factual word.
- The girls wait with a stewardess for Cecile to pick them up, but it takes a bit longer than expected.
- While they wait, a large white woman comes by and praises them for being adorable and well-behaved.
- The lady even offers them money for being good. Delphine thinks this has more to do with race than anything else—in other words, the lady is surprised black children are behaving so well, which is super racist.
- The girls finally spot Cecile over at the cigarette machine (you know, since it's the 1960s so cigarette machines are all over the place, including inside airports).
- Delphine doesn't actually know what Cecile looks like, but she just has a sense that the woman lurking behind the smokes is her mother.
- Delphine is right; it is Cecile. No hugs or fuss from her, though—Cecile looks a little intimidating, especially because she's dressed like a secret agent. Or at least that's how Delphine describes it.
- Cecile doesn't offer to carry bags, or even slow down her walking to let the girls keep up. Not the warmest or most helpful of mothers…
- Cecile selects a cab whose driver is wearing a black beret. This is the standard garb for the Black Panthers.
- The driver even seems to know her, and calls her something like "Zilla." Wait a minute… We thought her name was Cecile.
- A short, silent ride later they get out and start walking.
- It seems like Cecile doesn't want to be seen with her daughters. Cue the sad awkward silence.
- Then they get on the bus.
- Cecile orders them to go sit in the back while she bargains with the bus driver over the rate.
- They have to spend a whole month with this lady, and already Delphine can't stand her.