Summary

“When Eddie Levert Comes” (155) is narrated in the third person. It opens with “Mama” (156) telling “Daughter” (156), “Today is the day” (156). Mama became distressed at items of clothing that she seemed to be missing, accusing Daughter of stealing from her and saying, “He’s coming today, you know” (156). Mama was having memory problems and believed it to be a different time period than it was. Daughter became irritated as she watched Mother eat breakfast and spill ketchup on her nightgown, but she also found this current version of her mother to be kinder and simpler to care for. Mother praised the food and repeated her declaration that an unnamed visitor was coming that day. Daughter left the room.

As a child, Mother had not called Daughter by her real name, but only “Daughter,” though Daughter’s brothers Rico and Bruce were always...