Adult Dean: I never knew the role Mama played at work. I knew she had a job, but I just pictured her grocery shopping and running errands all day. She ran that place. People listened to her. People had to listen to her. Her job was just as cool as Dad's... maybe cooler. And I don't even think you had to be a woman to do it.
Lillian: [answers phone] This is Lillian Williams from the State Treasury Department. Yes, I need to...
Adult Dean: Before now, I'd only heard Mama use her White voice on the phone with the bank. Now I knew where she'd honed it.