This is the autumn of wonders, yet every day, every single day, I go back to that burned afternoon in August when T. Ray left. I go back to that one moment when I stood in the driveway with small rocks and clumps of dirt around my feet and looked back at the porch. And there they were. All these mothers. I have more mothers than any eight girls off the street. They are the moons shining over me.
The narrator reflects on a pivotal moment in her life during a beautiful autumn, yet her thoughts are consumed by a painful memory from August when T. Ray left. This moment stands out amid her experiences, and she visualizes herself standing in the driveway surrounded by debris while looking back toward the porch. The memory carries a heavy emotional weight for her.
In that moment, she realizes the support she has from a network of mother figures in her life. While she may not have a traditional family, the love and guidance from these maternal figures symbolize hope and strength for her. They represent a comforting presence, illuminating her life like moons in the night sky, emphasizing the power of chosen family and community.
