The black and white photo is loosely tucked into an old photo album of my late aunt. Two little girls sit side by side on a chair in someone’s front yard. The dark-skinned toddler seated on the right with the poofy braids and shy smile is me. I love her black Mary Janes with the grosgrain bows across the instep, her dress with the white Peter Pan collar and white insets. I vaguely remember that the steps in the background were painted red. I want the dress to be red, too. I hold this moment in time and I cry.
Donna Williams is a self-published author who still struggles with the nakedness of sharing what she writes. She is currently working on a memoir about her upbringing in the Jim Crow South. Find Donna at lifepainlaughter.com and on Twitter and Instagram @donnanotdiva.