Same Sun Here

Meena learned the dance moves to a song River likes: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé. Her friend Carlos from Drama Club knows all the steps, too, so she thinks River should learn them. She wishes she hadn’t fought with her mum and wishes she could relive that moment to avoid hurting her mum’s feelings. 

On the bus ride to the capital, everyone sings old mountain songs that River has grown up with. He talks to Chandra, Dr. Patel’s wife, for most of the ride, and when he recounts the events of the rock fall to her, she starts crying. Chandra tells River his story reminds her of something that happened to her brother in Mumbai.

When they arrive at the capitol building, the entire road is filled with 10,000 people holding signs who came to march with them. River carries a sign along with a jar of the orange water from the creek, and he feels defiant as he silently marches to the capitol steps in the cold. The governor comes out to answer questions, but River notices he avoids the questions, rather than answering them directly. Mawmaw asks about the water pollution, and the governor responds that he would “drink out of any stream in Eastern Kentucky” (238).