She moved, so that they were now standing arm in arm: two ladies, she thought, a brown lady from Botswana and a white lady from somewhere far away, America perhaps, somewhere like that, some place of neatly cut lawns and air conditioning and shining buildings, some place where people wanted to love others if only given the chance.
In this excerpt from "Blue Shoes and Happiness," the characters share a moment of connection, standing arm in arm. The brown lady from Botswana reflects on their differences, highlighting her own background in contrast to her companion's likely origins in America. This moment illustrates the beauty of friendship that transcends cultural and racial boundaries.
The reference to America evokes images of polished urban life, where ideals of love and compassion are present. This juxtaposition between the two women emphasizes the longing for universal love and understanding, suggesting that despite their diverse backgrounds, there is hope for mutual affection and bonding among people from different walks of life.