Queen Sugar

by Natalie Baszile

Charley put her hand to her mouth, and for a moment, she could have sworn her heart would burst through her chest. She looked down at her hand and was surprised to discover that her fingers were wet from crying. But who cared? Because how often, really, do you get to see someone’s dream come true? How often, on this great spinning ball where we’re all just struggling to lead our tiny lives, do you get to see evidence of God’s grace and know, the way you know your name, that at least for a little while, maybe just a few seconds, you can stop worrying, and take a deep breath, because things are all right? The float approached and Charley yelled Micah’s name. Beside her, Violet waved and screamed, and Blue jumped up and down while Miss Honey, Coke in hand, looking proud and slightly amused, watched it all from the comfort of her folding chair. As the float approached, Micah looked down and saw Charley. She waved and grinned and blew a kiss. And then the float passed by and glided down the street, and it was just another small-town parade.