Summary

In "When We All Get to Heaven," Ed Phelps and his wife, Isaline, visit New York City for the National Baptist Convention. While Isaline is in meetings, Ed wanders Manhattan. He cannot remember if it has been 20 or 30 years since he has been to the city. He is surprised by the noise and liveliness around him, feeling "happy and dandy and fine" (6). At 60, Ed is proud of his life, career, and children.

When he reaches 53rd Street, he sees "a large group of young people...gathering" (8). He approaches the crowd, watching a man exit a limousine. The crowd shouts his name: "Billy! Billy" (9). Ed accidentally gets swept into the crowd. Billy looks at him and calls out: "Deacon" (10). Inside the building, Billy introduces Ed to his publicist, Francesca. Francesca...