"I'm Still a Woman" (Excerpt #3)

Karen’s the next oldest, she’s thirty and owns a string of beauty salons in the ghetto. She doesn’t have any children and thinks anyone who does is a complete loser--excluding Tricia of course. But I believe she secretly wishes she had children of her own, I see how she looks at Tricia’s kids. But if the Lord’s willing, we’ll all have families of our own…one day. Anywho back to reality, Karen’s been dating a lovely woman by the name of Melinda. They met about three years ago in a wedding of a mutual friend and have been inseparable every since. Melinda wasn’t Karen’s first lover, she’s had her share--not calling my sister horeish or anything. I just want everyone to know this isn’t a fad, this is who she is; and I admire her courage to be how she really is. Yes, my sister’s gay. And it’s not a problem…well, for us it isn’t, but you know momma wasn’t feeling it at all… “What do you mean, you’re gay!” Exclaimed momma as she clutched her chest and feel backward onto the couch. “I’ve been gay, momma.” Karen tried explaining to both our parents and had all of us there merely as support, because we already knew, I think we always knew. “I can’t believe this!” Declared daddy as he walked away. “Daddy, come back!” Called Karen with eyes full of tears. “Dad, come back and listen.” Added Kylyn as he guided daddy back towards the living room. “Karen, when did this happen? Did I not show you enough love--perhaps I showed you too much love!” Questioned momma as she searched her memory for hidden clues of her child’s homosexuality. “Momma, it had nothing to do with you…or dad. I was born this way.” “Ok, it must have been something I did during my pregnancy.” “No, momma. I didn’t mean it like that…it’s just the way I was made…formed in your womb.” “You all knew about this?” Questioned daddy as he slowly sat back down next to momma, clutching her hand. “I think we all kind of knew…yes, we knew.” Answered Kylyn as he placed a comforting arm around Karen. “And you all are ok with this?” Continued dad. “Karen’s our sister, dad. If she wanted to be a dog, a cat, a house…or gay…we still love her and accept her for who she is…that’s what family does.” I answered. “You’re right…Karen, this isn’t easy for your mom and I, but we love you…and always will. Just bare with us, we’ll work this out together.” And he hugged his daughter and she cried in his arms like she were that little girl he once picked up when she fell from riding her bike. “Ain’t that right, baby?” Turning to question momma. Everyone, especially Karen was waiting for momma to respond…she never did. She just got up and went into the other room. This only made Karen cried even more. “There, there little girl,” Consoled daddy, “Your mother is just going to need a little time is all. Don’t fret…it’ll work out.” And it did work out, momma accepts Karen for who she is…her daughter. Plain and simple. Now Karen does own salons in the ghetto, however that doesn’t mean she’s ghetto, that would be my baby sister, Renee’, Jr. That’s right, I said junior, momma named her after herself! Now how vain can ya be! ========================== Here's a peek at the next excerpt...

But anywho about Renee’, Jr.. She works as the district manager for Karen’s salons, but she’s not good at it--at all! But to keep momma’s mouth shut Karen keeps her on payroll, which I don‘t think is going to last too much longer. To make sure her business remains in the black, Karen has Rhonda, a stylist and the assistant manager of her salon on the northwest side ‘assist’ Junior. That’s right, Rhonda rides from store to store with Junior making sure everything’s so-so--of course Karen has to compensate her greatly for the missed clientle, but to keep momma‘s mouth shut…well, you know how it is.