Augustown: A Novel

Ma Taffy paces on her porch, feeling the day will be long and uncertain of what is to come. She looks at Kaia, sad knowing that his “mulatto” hair will grow back straight, like white people’s hair, due to his mixed heritage and his father’s identity, which Kaia himself does not yet know. She decides to resume telling him the story of the Flying Preacherman.

Augustown stunk as crowds poured in to witness the miracle. Ma Taffy’s Aunt Mathilda arrived to see the Flying Preacherman. Another miracle had already taken place in Augustown when Bedward declared the Mona River a healing river. People were healed, and when the government investigated, they found the river contained minerals that could help with some ailments. This increased Bedward’s reputation, adding to people’s desire to see his flying miracle. 

Aunt Mathilda told Norah, Bilby, and Ma Taffy that she heard of flying people before, specifically flying Africans. She said that back during the time of slavery, Black people could fly but the salty diet given to them by slaveholders suppressed their abilities. Through fasting, they regained their ability to fly. The story was interrupted by the announcement that Bedward had left his house.