Ways to Make Sunshine

On Saturday, Ryan rehearses her Easter speech over and over again in order to calm her nerves. Ryan explains that every year at church, all the kids in Sunday school recite a speech in front of the entire congregation. Every year, Ryan struggles with the speech, forgetting a word or freezing up in front of the crowd. This year, Ryan is determined to successfully recite her speech: “I have read my speech so many times, I can say it in my sleep” (54). Ryan envisions her successful speech as her Grandma arrives to do her hair.

Ryan’s Grandma used to be a beautician, and sets Ryan up in the kitchen, placing her pressing comb on the low flicker of flames at the stovetop. Ryan explains that she only gets her hair straightened for special occasions, and that she usually wears her hair in a “big puffy ponytail” (56) or in twists. Grandma compliments Ryan’s thick hair as she runs the comb through it, reminding her that Ryan will need to keep her hair dry in order to preserve the setting.

When Grandma finishes Ryan’s hair, Ryan stands in front of the bathroom mirror admiring herself.