Melba’s grandmother says that ”the women of this family don’t break down in the face of trouble. We act with courage and with God’s help we ship trouble right on out”(Excerpt 1). Melba is crying because of the sudden changes in her life. She couldn’t do regular things like hangout with friends because it was dangerous. On page 97, Melba states, “As I felt hot tears stinging my eyes, I heard grandma India’s voice say “”you’re on the battlefield for your lord.”” She wishes she could see Danny because he gives her a sense of security. This is when she realizes that she can’t depend on him forever and will have learn to survive on her own which she feels is an impossible task. Beals states, “Still, on the pages of my diary, there was no real life anymore. It was as if my days consisted of only one thing - enduring pain in my mind and on my body.” Melba goes through a lot everyday for integration. She takes pain so that they can all have freedom in the future. By having faith, Melba gets herself through situations that she didn’t believe she