How Long 'Til Black Future Month?

Adele begins each day the same way: praying “to the Christian god” and the “orishas of her African ancestors,” then bathing in herbs, and layering herself in lucky talismans (362). Ever since a neighbor pointed out to her that somehow New York City’s luck drastically changed, she has been doing everything she can to capitalize on hers. No one knows why “only New York” has had this change in luck, but since the change, they have had to shut down the lottery because of “too many winners” (365).

Adele knows to avoid the “missionaries” from “out of town” who clog the New York streets, trying to help New Yorkers through what they are sure are the “End Times” (365). Still, she is stopped one day by a man with a flyer inviting her to “A Prayer for the Soul of the City” on August 8th (367). She can’t help but wonder if the massive prayer could make a difference. It makes her long for life before New York City got lucky.

At home, she tends to her blossoming garden and decides to head to the farmer’s market to trade what she has for some “fresh fruit” (368). On the way, she drops off one of her eggplants to her neighbor and offers to help him cook it later. At the farmer’s market, she finds some delicious fruit as well as confirmation that many people are planning on attending the mass prayer. They are all sick of living a life dictated by luck.

She returns to her neighbor’s home and helps him cook dinner. She asks if he will attend the giant prayer and he says no, he “like[s] the way things are now” and doesn’t really think they would be much different either way (370). They eat dinner and have “clumsy” sex bogged down by a bunch of luck-related rituals they both feel they must perform (371).

The city prepares several non-denominational events in concurrence with the Christian one. Walking home one day, feeling hopeful about her future with her neighbor, Adele is approached by another missionary carrying the same flyer announcing the mass prayer. Instead of keeping it this time, she lets it blow away.