Adversaries

In the book "The Mee Street Chronicles" by Frankie Lennon there is a story "Adversaries" which present many growing up themes, but two of the most important ones are facing death and religion. At the beginning of the story Frankie doesn't quite understand why grandmama is lying in a box. She asks "Why is Grandmama sleeping in the box, Mama?" In response to her question Mama said "She's not sleeping, honey. Grandmama has gone away." Frankie shared a deep relationship with her grandmama so it was difficult for her to understand, she kept thinking of ways to try and bring her back. Because she was really hurt by the death of grandmama she pushed all the memories away and began to tink of magic spells. She said "If I could make the right one, I would swoosh my magic wand, make Grandmama come back right now and Auntie disappear." Shortly after she remembered Evelyne telling her that she overheard her mother saying that grandmama has passed away and that you couldn't come back. This is when Frankie realized that magic spells won't work and that her grandmama is gone for good.

Another growing up theme apparent in this story is religion. Auntie didn't believe in games she said it was a "sinful idleness and a waste of time." She told Frankie "Lemme see what's in yo hand." When she saw that Frankie had been playing with marbles she was angry. On the contrary Frankie said that her dad let her play with marbles and Auntie said that she wasn't her daddy and that was the wrong answer. Auntie said "the Lord don't like a sassy-mouth child."

Personally, I don't think that there is anything wrong with playing games, it is part of the process that a child goes through as she grows up. When you are a child all you do is play and I didn't think it was fair of Auntie to not allow Frankie to play with marbles or with the other children.