Cheri's Reviews > Calling Me Home

4.5 Stars

”It’s funny how sometimes you find a friend—in the likely places—and almost immediately, you can talk about anything.” - Miss Isabelle, Present Day

”When I met Miss Isabelle, she acted more like Miss Miserabelle, and that’s a fact.” - Dorrie, Present Day

As this story begins, Miss Isabelle, a white woman who is in her 90’s, has been going to Dorrie, a black woman in her 30’s, for at least a decade to have her hair done. Over the years they have bonded, shared some of their personal stories, and a bond, a friendship, has been built. It still surprises Dorrie when Isabelle asks if her could drive her from the eastern side of Texas to a funeral in Cincinnati, Ohio, but ultimately agrees to drive her, despite her concerns about how or if it will affect her own budding relationship with a man she’s recently begun dating.

After stopping for some crossword puzzle books to keep them entertained, isn’t long before Isabelle’s story begins to unfold, a story of a young girl who grew up in a neighborhood in Shalerville, Kentucky, a white, privileged neighborhood. A time and place where blacks were persecuted if they were found outside after the sun went down. Isabelle’s mother, who grew up in poverty, wants to maintain her station in life, and she hovers over Isabelle as she grows, trying to ensure her place in life, and seems intent on steering her toward the “right” boys. Isabelle’s father is a doctor, and believes that with privilege comes the responsibility to enrich the lives of others, and tutors both Isabelle along with the family’s housekeeper’s son, Robert, whose family is African American. Robert hopes to go into medicine, and Isabelle’s father is glad for that. Not many of the local, white, doctors are willing to treat those on that side of town. Over time, after years spent being together, Isabelle and Robert become closer.

Dorrie has a lot of things on her mind, as well. A son whose actions are questionable, and her relationship that she can’t quite bring herself to believe will last.

The story alternates through the voices of Dorrie and Isabelle, and alternates between the then present and the past, which is slowly being unveiled.

A heartbreaking story, with an ending that was both perfect, and unforeseen.