The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

Cassie lives with her parents, Hattie and August, and has a young daughter named Sala. She also has voices in her head that speak so “naturally” (220) she could mistake them for her own thoughts. One voice—the “Voice” (221) —speaks soothingly and lets Cassie rest. The other voices—the “Banshees” (221)—urge her to do terrible things, like neglect Sala or accuse her mother of never loving anyone.

When Cassie was a child, her mother was always angry but also beautiful. Cassie’s father, who had a weakness for women in tight dresses, was often out amusing himself while her “[m]other was at home doing what needed to be done” (221). One afternoon Cassie noticed Hattie wore an uncommonly “soft and restless” (221) expression, like she yearned to put on a tight dress herself and leave the house forever. As her mother nodded to a remembered song, it occurred to Cassie that Hattie “had an inner life that didn’t have anything to do with” (221) her children.

Cassie’s parents claim they are driving her to a doctor’s appointment, but she doesn’t believe them. Gazing out the window in the back seat of August’s car, Cassie admires the autumn afternoon light.