The Darkest Child

by Delores Phillips

Mushy, Harvey, Sam, and Martha Jean were her white children.

Wow colorism

Tarabelle, Wallace, and Laura were Indians—Cherokee, no less.

Edna and I were ...

Mama had me screwing in every hayloft, field, and back room she could find. I never even knew what I was worth. One day I thought, screw you, Mama. I went out on my own and screwed my way right on outta Georgia.”

Mushy dropped to the porch, held onto the rail, closed her eyes, bowed her head.“She say Tara told her to take a rest from her long walk. She was tired, so she done it even though the bed was all tore up to pieces.” Mushy cried, pounded her thigh with a fist.“She saw Tara pouring gasoline all through the house, could smell it, so she got up, got the matches, and went to the front door. Says she lit a match and threw it. Just walked on out the damn house and left my sister in there to burn.”