Can't Get Enough

“I can’t help but think of Mama tonight, the small figure in the back seat of that police car. It’s funny how the tables turn. […] The tables have turned, and now Mama’s the one counting on me.”

This quote solidifies The Emotional Complexity of Parent-Child Role Reversal as a central theme and establishes the connected motif of “how the tables turn” through repetition that underscores the cyclical nature of this life transition and Hendrix’s dawning acceptance of her new responsibilities. Her reflection moves from a general observation to a direct, personal acknowledgment of her new role, shifting the narrative from a moment of crisis to a statement of purpose.

“She is luminous with skin the color of rich cocoa. The flash of her pink tongue is delicately clenched between the boldness of a smile built from straight white teeth and absolute radiance. A cloud of coiling natural curls halos her striking face, the Afro dark and full and luxuriant. She’s tall, maybe matching Zere, but where Zere is slender, almost fragile, Hendrix has a homegrown thickness that is tight in some places and voluptuous in others. She is long lines and deep curves. Lush and ripe like summer fruit.”

Narrated from Maverick’s perspective, this passage uses lush, sensory imagery to establish his immediate and profound attraction to Hendrix. The description functions as characterization through contrast, juxtaposing Hendrix’s vibrant energy and “homegrown thickness” against the “slender, almost fragile” Zere. This initial assessment establishes the central romantic conflict and foreshadows Maverick’s preference for Hendrix’s perceived authenticity and vitality.

“‘Ma?’ my mother asks, her voice going breathless with hope and relief. ‘Is that you?’

I lick my lips and blink at the tears stinging the corners of my eyes. I had half hoped this wouldn’t work—that my mother wouldn’t be so lost in the dark corridor of her mind that she would immediately know I’m her daughter, but it’s the same as the last time she got this agitated. Over the phone, with only my voice for reference, she thinks I’m her mother, and it brings her peace.”

This moment of dialogue and internal monologue encapsulates the devastating reality of Alzheimer’s and the role reversal it forces upon Hendrix. By assuming the voice of her own grandmother, Hendrix accesses a part of Betty’s memory that provides comfort, illustrating the theme of