Last Encounter

Throughout the novel “Little Altars Everywhere”, written by Rebecca wells, there are changes between the relationships of its characters. Viviane, the mother of Siddalee, Baylor and Little Shep, is one of the main characters, and most of the changes revolve around her. Throughout the novel, it is portrayed that Viviane has a closer relationship with her eldest daughter, Siddalee. Viviane has always been a distant mother, who is more worried with social things such as her “Yaya sisterhood”, than developing a close relationship between her and her family. Viviane is not only distant with her children, but she does not have a solid relationship with her husband, Big Shep.

Siddalee, who can also be seen as the main character, is a lonely girl, who often looked for the attention that lacked from her mother, in other people around her. She is very close with her brothers and maintains a good relationship. Throughout the novel, Siddalee is often put down and punished by her mother, who does not have much of a patience for any of her children. Sidd of course, never had a choice but to obey and not confront her mother although she always had thoughts of it.

In the last chapter it is seen how years later, Siddalee has changed drastically. She was able to complete one of her dreams, to move away from her home town, and to become independent. She now has a job and is happy, although still lonely. In the last chapter, “The First Imperfect Divine Compassion Baptism Video”, Siddalee returns to Louisiana for the baptism of her goddaughter Lee, Baylor’s daughter. All the family is there for the event. It has been a while since Viv and Sidda have seen each other. On their first encounter they try to act as normal as possible, while complementing eachother. “Mother, I reply, you’ve got to be kidding! Aqua was made for this time of the year. You will be the belle of the baptism.”(215) This happened when Viv called Baylor’s house to speak to Siddalee so she could ask her about what to wear for the baptism. Viviane then mentions how she had no one else to call, as her Yaya’s were all unavailable. Viv made It seem like Sidda was her last choice.

At the ceremony, as a godmother Sidda is carrying the child around, while everyone is looking at her, and Viviane is trying to film at her and take pictures. Siddalee believes that this is what is making the baby cry and she tries to avoid the flashes. When Viv tries again to film her granddaughter, Siddalee, for the first time “stood up” to her mother and turned away with the baby. “Mama makes a frantic gesture for me to turn Lee back around to face the camara,