How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony
VALERIE:
Not good. (She sighs) She stopped taking the chemotherapy. It was making her really sick. She
looked terrible. Throwing up. Lost her appetite. And her hair just all fell out one morning. It wasn’t
even gradual. It just all came out in her hand. I found her in the bathroom just sitting on the edge of
the tub with her hair in her hands crying. I was so scared, Claudette. I’ve only seen Mom cry twice.
The day Cloé died and then at Cloé’s funeral. Beat. And I think losing her hair, that was it for Mom.
She just said no more. Her body has had enough. And she said if anyone’s going to save her it’s
God. So she has her prayer meeting nearly three times a week and the pastor and the entire church
prays for her every Sunday, and also at the evening and weekly services.
She’s dying. She knows it. But she’s been great. She’s handling it. She’s made out her will and put
me on all her bank accounts. She’s got a dress and she’s been trying to find a nice hat.