Betty Before X: Chapters 19–23

Suesetta pours her concoction into both pitchers. We each get to sample it just before she puts it in the refrigerator to chill.

“Good afternoon, ladies. As you know, Mrs. Peck is not aware of this meeting today because we have secretly gathered here to finish planning her appreciation service. All of the Housewives’ League chapters from around the nation will join us next month to celebrate the accomplishments of the League and honor our fearless leader.”

“Good afternoon, ladies. As you know, Mrs. Peck is not aware of this meeting today because we have secretly gathered here to finish planning her appreciation service. All of the Housewives’ League chapters from around the nation will join us next month to celebrate the accomplishments of the League and honor our fearless leader.”

One of the women adds, “It’s a wonder he’s making the time to visit with us, with all the advocating he’s doing with President Truman to put an end to the lynching of people all over the South. Doesn’t look like it’s working, but at least he’s trying.”

The woman sitting next to her shakes her head, says, “How in the world is Truman going to say he upholds the Constitution when he won’t pass legislation to end lynching?”

The woman sitting next to her shakes her head, says, “How in the world is Truman going to say he upholds the Constitution when he won’t pass legislation to end lynching?”

Then, “This is Loretta.” Suesetta is talking higher than normal, mimicking Loretta's birdlike voice. “Yes, ma’am, Loretta,” she repeats.

Finally, she says, “We have to do something else. We can't just mope around all night. Wanna play a game?”

I hesitate, then pick up the phone. I dial the first random numbers that come to my mind. An elderly man answers the phone. His voice is feeble and low. “Hello?”

I put on the most adult-sounding, sophisticated voice I can fake.

“What are you girls doing in there?” Mrs. Malloy asks.
I don’t know why the question gets us laughing even more. “Nothing,” we say in unison.

I point to a light-blue dress with red flowers and the pleated navy-blue one trimmed with ivory ribbon around the edges.

When he talks, he speaks about power and peace, and he gets the church all excited. “As an American citizen, I speak against injustice. I will always speak for peace. No one can silence me. Because the Lord is on the side of the righteous, and I am on the side of the Lord.”

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home.

“What I admire the most about Mrs. Peck is her strength and determination. I’ve spent time canvassing neighborhoods with her to get as many women as possible to sign up, and it requires a lot of hard work. Mrs. Peck takes the time to teach us girls so we can make sure everybody understands that Negroes are human beings, too. And as human beings we have feelings and we have power.”

“Sometimes people don't even open their doors because they are scared and don’t know that they have the power and the right to make change. So, for Mrs. Peck to have started this organization with no guarantee that people would support her or that white business owners would change their minds and agree with her, I think that’s a testament to her faith and determination.”

“What I like most about Mrs. Peck is her resilience. I know what it’s like to have someone you love more than anything in the world die and go to heaven. I know that emptiness hurts so much, but Mrs. Peck keeps her joy. She teaches us not to wallow in any misery, but to grow from it.”

“What I like most about Mrs. Peck is her resilience. I know what it’s like to have someone you love more than anything in the world die and go to heaven. I know that emptiness hurts so much, but Mrs. Peck keeps her joy. She teaches us not to wallow in any misery, but to grow from it.”

Suesetta says, “On behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethel, we thank you for being a role model to us and a pillar of hope to the nation.”

The Housewives’ League is about investing in ourselves and in our children.

The audience gives her another standing ovation.

After service, the adults linger, talking while we play and run around until Deacon Boyd tells us to stop playing in the Lord’s house.

I miss her laugh, the way it starts like a pianist's solo, soft and low and then crescendoing and filling the room.

She also says that sometimes change comes reluctantly and out of dire necessity, not from true goodwill or pure values.

She also says that sometimes change comes reluctantly and out of dire necessity, not from true goodwill or pure values.

She also says that sometimes change comes reluctantly and out of dire necessity, not from true goodwill or pure values.

She also says that sometimes change comes reluctantly and out of dire necessity, not from true goodwill or pure values.

“Some people have to feel the pain in order to believe in the medicine. And that’s just fine. They are going to hurt in their pockets when they have more merchandise coming in than they have going out. And that’s when they'll realize they should start listening to their Negro customers,” I say, like Mother taught me.

Mother is consoling Aunt Nina, saying over and over, “He's going to be all right. Just trust the Lord, dearheart. Trust the Lord.”