Summary

The action from the end of the previous act is continuous.

Beverly calls upstairs for Mama to come down.

“Entrance music for a good-hearted black grandma. ‘Mama’ comes to the top of the stairs. It is Suze, one of the women who has been listening” (79). Suze (Mama) comes down the stairs grandly, accepts the family’s compliments, and sits down. As Beverly suggests the family says grace, she notices that Keisha is a bit odd. “Suze beams. She looks at all of them, and at us; she can’t help it, she’s just so happy to be here” (80). Beverly says grace, and the family starts to eat, Suze (Mama) remaining silent and Keisha feeling increasingly unwell as Beverly fusses, particularly over Suze (Mama). The family “pretends” to eat (82), enjoying the food enthusiastically. ‘

Keisha speaks to the audience in an aside about...