Mom & Me & Mom

Angelou is in Stockholm at the film production of one of her screenplays; she also wrote music for the film. The story is about an African American nightclub singer. Angelou wanted to meet the film crew and Swedish director. She visits the set daily to braid the lead actress’s hair. She develops an ambition to become a film director—however, the lead actress demands that she leave the set. Days later, an actor decides to leave. Angelou explains that his departure will hurt the production and that it is the first major production of a screenplay by a Black woman. She falls on her knees and begs the man to stay. The man dismisses her, and she decides to become her mother: Angelou threatens to remove his role, so he stays.

Angelou calls Vivian and says she needs “mothering,” asking her to come to Stockholm. She meets Vivian at the airport, and they go to a bar. Vivian encourages her to continue working, as those who treat her badly will come to her in the end. Angelou struggles daily, but her mother’s presence sustains her. Vivian regularly invites some of Angelou’s castmates for dinner, and everyone loves her. The crew starts changing their behavior around Angelou, and the director invites her to remain on set. She understands this change is due to her mother and realizes a mother’s role is to “[stand] between the unknown and the known” (170). Vivian reiterates that Angelou is “[her] own woman” (170). After filming is completed, Angelou invites her mother to travel. They spend time in Paris and London before flying back to New York.

Angelou notes that her mother’s courage has become part of her own psyche. She travels to Africa with her son and lives with a South African freedom fighter for a while. Vivian is prepared to visit Africa whenever her daughter needs her. Angelou eventually accepts a position as a professor of American studies at Wake Forest University. Realizing she is inherently a teacher, she decides to accept the role for life.

Vivian is now 74 and lives in California with her fourth husband, who is recovering from a stroke. Angelou states that he is her favorite stepfather. One day, Vivian calls her about her stepfather’s sexual issues, as he fears for his health. She asks Angelou to speak to him. Angelou makes a nervous phone call to her stepfather, and the next day, Vivian thanks her.

Angelou notes that her mother died four years later. She still wants to be like her, and Bailey remains “lonely […] for her presence” (182). He struggled with drug addiction and left the Navy. Once, Angelou found him in an infamous neighborhood, but he told her not to worry. Later, Bailey married a woman who resembled Vivian and recovered from addiction; however, she suddenly died. Bailey was devastated and returned to drugs. Angelou notes that he disappointed Vivian, who believed that since the siblings’ father was absent, she would “guide [Bailey’s] manhood”—but Angelou offered to assume the role of guide (186). 

Vivian is in the hospital, and Angelou rushes to her side. She has lung cancer, and the doctors estimate three months of life. Angelou decides to take her home. Vivian continues with radiology therapy and improves. Mother and daughter laugh together, and Angelou notes Vivian “[chose] to be better” (191). Angelou leaves for work, and her aunt takes care of Vivian. Vivian tells her to have a good time and return soon, saying, “[Mother] needs you” (192).

Angelou is invited by Exeter University in England to teach for three weeks. She refuses because of her mother’s illness. However, Vivian insists she goes. Upon Angelou’s return, Vivian is in a coma in the hospital. Angelou hires three nurses. Days later, she speaks to her mother, holding her hand. She praises her hard work, saying she helped many women and that many people love her. Angelou admits Vivian was not a great mother for children but was the greatest mother for young adults. Vivian squeezes her hand, and Angelou kisses her and goes home.

Angelou drives back to the hospital at dawn, and a nurse informs her that Vivian just died. Angelou notes that her mother “deserved a daughter who loved her and had a good memory, and she got one” (197).