Chapter 3 Summary

"I love my man; I'm a lie if I say I don't . . . But I'll quit my man; I'm a lie if I say I won't . . ." Etta Mae Johnson never forgot the words to this song. Songs seemed to speak of her life. "But I'm going to do just what I want to, anyway . . . Ain' nobody's business if I do . . ." That is Etta Mae and she arrives at Brewster Place in an apple green Cadillac with a while vinyl roof and Florida plates. She carries a half dozen albums in her arms right passed all the staring eyes and gawking children straight to Mattie's door. Mattie is sitting in an old frayed armchair by the window and watches her arrival. Their friendship goes "way back," claiming all the important knowledge of all the events in their lives. She is surprised to see Etta driving...