S.H.O.W: Sisters Having Open Wounds

By Michelene Jones

All women suffer hurt, disappointment, and heartache in their lifetimes. The subsequent wounds left behind can be emotional, abusive, racial, and can negatively affect our souls, families, and self-esteem. Without the proper care, these wounds may be the obstacle that is preventing women from moving forward and becoming the best versions of themselves.

In an inspirational story, several troubled women facing various challenges share their opinions and reflections. Brought together by the program, Sisters Having Open Wounds (S.H.O.W.), the women begin examining their pasts and the hurts that have left behind ugly scars in order to remove the bandages layer by layer, uncover the core of their pain, and attain a brighter future and life. As they look deep within and rekindle their faith, the women soon discover that healing a wounded soul takes effort and time as they slowly transform spiritually into strong, capable, and confident females ready to take on the world.

S.H.O.W. is a powerful tale that chronicles the lives and challenges of troubled women as they embark on faith-filled journeys to find healing from their pasts and move forward into brighter futures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Jul 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781489740335

Michelene Jones

Michelene “Just Jazzy” Jones dealt with personal issues and life struggles for years, eventually realizing that the only way to move beyond her past was to take a close look at the heartaches and disappointments in her life and begin examining the causes of her hidden wounds. This is her first book.

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Copyright © 2022 MICHELENE JUST JAZZY JONES.

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-4034-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4035-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4033-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022902141

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 01/31/2022

CONTENTS

Chapter IMenosha Sung

Chapter IIRayne Ann Moore

Chapter IIICarmela Velez

Chapter IVDiamond Johnson

Chapter VSister J.

Chapter VIThe Present

Chapter VIIMenosha Sung I

Chapter VIIICarmela Velez II

Chapter IXDiamond Johnson II

Chapter XThe Present

Chapter XISister J. & S.H.O.W.

Note From The Author

CHAPTER I

Menosha Sung

M enosha and Kaitlin had been best friends since childhood, they were often referred to as the tag teamers, the inseparable duo.

Both played tennis since the age of 7, Menosha was considered a star player, since winning the Championship in Junior High School. Their families spent most holidays together.

It was Kaitlin that got them there. During the Double Match, both Menosha and Kaitlin were partners, playing against Brooklyn Finest Junior High School. Menosha had stumbled when the ball bounced over the net, Kaitlin stepped up, swung the racquet and scored the winning point. They won the Queens Academy of Sports and Fitness Junior High School Double Player Trophy, and moved along to the championship.

Menosha would be competing in the championship. Kaitlin would be there as a fan and supporter, since she had been disqualified early on during the play-offs. Winning the championship, could earn Menosha $5,000.00 dollars prize money with a golden trophy.

Menosha had every intention to win the championship. She and Kaitlin talked about the upcoming championship. They discussed tactics and different styles that would be needed to defeat the opponents. Since only Menosha would be competing, Kaitlin agreed to be her mentor and additional train partner.

Guys passing by stared at Menosha, who was not only a great tennis player, but extremely beautiful. Menosha was bi-racial, Korean and African American, with long jet black hair, chinky eyes and a wonderful caramel complexion, she was shaped like an hourglass.

Menosha was used to the stares she received, she ignored them, her only focus was tennis and tennis alone. She dedicated her time to her school studies and the game of tennis.

Menosha’s Father, David Sung was Korean and doted on his first born child, Menosha. Her mother, Minnie Sue, an African American career oriented mother of two. Menosha had a younger sister, Ming Lee, who she adored. Ming Lee was as equally beautiful as Menosha.

Menosha rarely found time to go out on dates or parties with her peers, her time was dedicated to the game of tennis and her dream was to one day become a professional tennis champion.

Kaitlin, her best friend in the world, lived two blocks away from where she lived, with her parents. Kaitlin was an only child and spent most time with Menosha and her family.

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Menosha had just finished practicing for the up-coming tournament and headed home. While walking she imagined what it would be like to become a superstar tennis pro. She was confident about the competition matches that would take her to the next level. She always reminded herself of what her father always told her, somebody had to win in order for somebody to lose.

She breathed deeply, knowing that she would win. She’d been closely studying the styles of her opponents, and she combined their methods with her own, creating a unique method of her own.

It was important to have a style, one that is unique and cannot be predicted by an opponent. She knew that studying her opponents style was crucial to the game and had an advantage to the game.

When she reached her house, she found the door opened, unlocked. She pushed into the house, not knowing what to expect. Her mother was sitting on the living room couch, staring into space.

Everything she wanted to tell her parents about how well her practice had gone, left her mind immediately. She knew something tragic had to have happened, she never saw her mother look so lost.

Normally her mother would ask about the practice and how her day had gone, but Minnie Sue sat saying nothing looking in space as if she was the only person left on the planet.

When she asked her mother the whereabouts of her sister and father, her mother only shook her head without saying a word. Menosha started to become alarmed, she started to panic. She had no idea what was going on.

Ming Lee must have heard her come in, she came skipping down the stairs, saying she was ready to eat. She ran up to Menosha, giving her a hug and telling her that she was hungry.

Menosha asked where was their father, Ming Lee, said he was probably in the garage. She told her that she hadn’t seen him since the school bus dropped her off.

Menosha headed to the garage with Ming Lee close on her heels, saying Daddy I’m home, to her dismay, she got no answer. Her father was not in the garage, nor was his car in there either.

Ming Lee asked Menosha what was wrong with their mother. Menosha didn’t have an answer for their mother’s strange behavior. She decided to call her father to see if he knew what was wrong with Minnie Sue.

He answered on the 5th ring, which was unusual, because he usually took her calls right away. She told her father that something was wrong with mommy and that he should hurry home to see what was going on.

He told her that he was very busy and would probably not be home until late, that she should make sure Ming Lee did her homework, ate dinner and to get her bathed and in bed.

Menosha was shocked that her father didn’t act as if whatever her mother was going through was important enough to drop whatever he was doing and head straight home. Just when she was about to ask him why he wasn’t in a hurry to see about her mother, he said he had to hang up the phone and that she had to make sure Ming Lee was fed and put to bed.

David hung the phone up, before Menosha had the chance to say another word. She immediately dialed back and got his voicemail.

Ming Lee stood staring at Menosha as she hung up the phone. The last thing Menosha wanted to do was to cause alarm in her little sister.

Menosha continued thinking how strange things were, her mother almost always had dinner fixed by this time, and her father hardly ever stayed at work past a certain hour.

She took Ming Lee by the hand and told her that she would fix her dinner. When they came into the house, Minnie Sue was in the kitchen attempting to prepare dinner, with a dazed look on her face.

She told her daughters that she was fine, that she just had a rough day, and needed to rest. She then told them to go upstairs and prepare for dinner. Menosha told her to go and get some rest and that she would take care of Ming Lee.

Minnie Sue handed the plate to her eldest child and went upstairs. Ming Lee began to ask questions about why mommy wasn’t talking or if she had done something to upset their mother? Menosha explained that mommy was tired and needed to get some rest.

She ordered Pizza for her and Ming Lee, made sure that Ming Lee’s homework was done, and put her to bed. After Menosha got her sister off to bed, she quietly went to her parents’ bedroom, knocking on the door. Minnie Sue did not answer, she assumed her mother was asleep. She dialed her dad’s number again, and got the voicemail only, she yelled into the phone Daddy why aren’t you picking up, something is wrong with mother, it’s 10:00 and you are still not home, where are you daddy? Menosha hung the phone up after three tries and reaching nothing but her father’s voicemail, she began to cry.

She went to clean up the mess in the kitchen. While in the kitchen, her cell phone rang, she snatched the phone up and without looking at who was calling she said Dad, what is going on, where the heck are you? She was ready to start firing questions about his whereabouts, when she heard Kaitlin ask her if everything was alright.

She started telling Kaitlin everything that happened since they had parted that her mother had been acting strange since she came through her front door. Kaitlin asked if she needed her to come over. Menosha told her no but if she needed her she would call. Kaitlin promised to call her in the morning, and hung up the phone.

Menosha cleaned the kitchen and went upstairs, stopping by her parents room, she knocked on the door, she got no answer. She turned the knob and walked in the room, without being invited.

Her mother was sitting on the bed holding papers in her hand, her eyes were swollen, it was obvious she had been crying. Menosha hurried to her mother’s side and hugged her mother, asking her what was wrong. Minnie Sue told her that everything would be alright and for her to not worry. She thanked her for making sure her sister ate, and told her to go get some rest.

As Menosha was heading out of her parents room, her phone rang, it was her dad calling. She asked him where he was and why he wasn’t home, he told her they would talk when he got home, he asked her how Minnie Sue was doing. She looked at her mother and her mother shook her head and waved her finger as if to say don’t mention anything. Menosha was a bit confused, but she said her mother was fine and asked her father when he would be home. He told her he would see her soon enough and to not worry about him, he was fine. He hung up the phone without even saying goodnight.

Menosha became angry and threw the phone across the room, looking at her mother, she asked her what was going on, and why dad wasn’t home. Minnie Sue looked at her child and told her that this was no longer his home. She told Menosha to go to her room and to not worry, that they would talk in the morning.

Menosha yelled go get some rest, he no longer lives here, what the hell is going on here and why does he no longer live here? I don’t think I should have to wait until the morning to find out what is going on in this house.

Minnie Sue with fresh tears in her eyes, told her that she and David were getting divorced, and that was all she needed to know. That what happened between her father and her did not concern Menohsa.

Minnie Sue told her to go to bed, that this was between her parents and had nothing to do with anyone else. Menosha asked how can you say that, aren’t I a part of this family?I want to know what is going on and I want to know now.

Minnie Sue stood up and pointed to the door and told Menosha goodnight. She said I have had enough for one day, and you will not question me, when I already said we will talk about this later, now get out of my bedroom now.

Menosha turned to leave and said I hate you, daddy probably left because he hates you too. Once I win this championship, I’m getting away from both of you. Minnie Sue said get out of this room now, don’t let me tell you again. Menosha picked her phone up off the floor and slammed the door shut.

She went into the bathroom, sat on the toilet and cried. She was angry and afraid. She dialed her dad’s number, his voicemail came on, she left him a message telling him that she hated him and didn’t care what happened, she didn’t care if she ever saw him again. She turned on the shower, making the temperature as hot as she could stand, she got into the shower and let her tears flow.

After her shower, she went into her bedroom and exercised on her treadmill. She stayed on the treadmill until she just couldn’t go any longer. She couldn’t believe that this house would no longer be her dad’s house, this had always been her mother’s home, her home, their family home.

She had always been close to her father, he never missed any of her tennis matches, always there rooting for her. She just couldn’t understand why her parents were splitting up, she wondered how it had reached this point. She hadn’t noticed any signs that her parents were having any marital problems. After 22 years of marriage to end so abruptly, was beyond her comprehension.

Minnie Sue and David Sung

Menosha’s Parents

Minnie Sue and David had met when Minnie Sue was 19 years old, they were friends, they attended the same college. Her father was an exchange student from Korea, they shared most of the same classes at Howard University.

They normally hung out and soon began dating. After graduating, David got a job in New York City with Medifacts as an engineer and consultant. Medifacts was a large Pharmaceutical laboratory, David had a promising career there.

Minnie Sue went on living in Washington D.C., until she located a job in Virginia with a legal Firm. She and David kept in touch, sometimes travelling to see one another whenever they could.

David wasn’t happy with this long distance relationship, he wanted Minnie Sue with him in New York. Minnie Sue was not ready to just leave her job and go to New York City. David, with his connections, found a company who was hiring. He believed that Minnie Sue would be a great asset.

Minnie Sue came to New York, but she wasn’t interested in the job which David had set up for her. She spent time with David and returned to Washington. She began looking for a job in NYC, which she felt would allow her room for advancement. She found a job in Virginia and moved there, working as a financial advisor and auditor.

Three months later she transferred within the company to New York City, taking a position as a financial analyst. She was excited about the new job, she knew that she could then spend more time with David.

She and David moved in together, she agreed to be his roommate, so told him that she was just his roommate, and once she was on her feet she would find a place of her own. Everywhere they went people would stop and stare at a black woman and oriental man. David was madly in love with Minnie Sue. Minnie Sue was unaware of David’s feelings for her.

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Minnie Sue had met a guy on her job and began dating this guy. David felt that if he didn’t share his feelings with her that he would lose her, his best friend. Minnie Sue invited David to come out with her and the guy, Jerry, who she had started seeing, for a celebration of her being promoted to head of her department.

David had too much to drink and blurted out to Jerry that he loved Minnie Sue and he didn’t want to have to compete for her love. Minnie Sue became embarrassed and asked David to leave, telling him that he had too much to drink, and should go home and sleep it off.

Jerry laughed and told David that he had no right being with a sister, that he needed to find a chink chick. Minnie Sue was angry that Jerry would offend David, calling him a chink and her a sister. She felt that Jerry was out of line, but she still told David to leave.

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A year later, Minnie Sue and David were married. He won her heart. Minnie Sue said it was no easy task for David, but he never gave up. They made vows to love eachother forever. They found a beautiful house in Queens, and shortly after Minnie Sue became pregnant with Menosha. David’s pride and joy.

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Menosha cried thinking of how her parents survived marriage for so long and were now giving up on one another. She got up from bed and went to her parents bedroom, turning the knob to find the door had been locked. Her mother said behind the closed door Please go away.

Kaitlin called the next morning, Menosha rejected the call. She did not feel like talking to anyone. She didn’t know how to tell her best friend that her parents were getting divorced.

She heard Ming Lee and their mother downstairs laughing. She wondered how her mother could dare laugh at a time like this. She felt that maybe it was all a dream about her parents splitting up. She hurriedly got dressed and headed down the stairs, wanting to join in the laughter.

Minnie Sue had cooked breakfast and asked if she wanted to eat before going to practice, Ming Lee hugged her sister and thanked her for ordering pizza. Her mother just looked at them and smiled, seeing two sisters love each other as much as Menosha and Ming Lee brought her great joy.

Just when her mother was about to say something, the bus arrived, blowing the horn. Ming Lee jumped up, gathered her school belongings and ran out the door. Saying goodbye to both her mother and sister. She stopped, turned around and gave them both a kiss, then ran out the house to get on the bus, she had also blown a kiss saying this one is for daddy, be sure to give it to him when he wakes up.

Menosha looked at her mother asking if her father was really upstairs sleeping. Her mother patted the empty seat next to her for her to sit down. Menosha quickly sat down next to her mother, telling her mother that she knew it wasn’t real and that she was glad daddy was home.

Minnie Sue looked at her and told her that her father was not home, and that this was no longer his home. She told her that she and her father no longer saw eye to eye, and they hadn’t shared the same views for quite some time. She said David had decided it would be best for him to leave and possibly end their marriage.

Menosha didn’t believe her mother, she knew her father would never ask for a divorce. She had so many questions she wanted answers to. Her mother told her that all of her questions would soon be answered, that her father was supposed to come by to pick up some of his things and she could ask all the questions she needed to ask once he got there. Minnie Sue got up and went upstairs without looking back at her daughter sitting at the kitchen table.

Menosha sat with her mouth hanging open, staring at nothing in particular. She sat in disbelief, anger, fear and uncertainty. The doorbell rang, she hurried to the door, snatching it open, only to find Kaitlin standing there. Kaitlin knew something was wrong the moment she saw Menosha’s face, she knew something drastic had to have happened. She came into the house and hugged Menosha as the tears rolled down her cheeks

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Eight Weeks Later

Menosha did not win the championship, she came in as the third runner-up. Everyone was shocked to see her playing below average. Her zest for winning had diminished. David had missed a few of the games, only showing up for the last two. The final game she lost by two balls. Her coach knew that she didn’t give the game her best.

Her dream of becoming a professional super-star tennis player was shattered. She no longer wanted to play tennis, she cared less if she won or lost anymore. Her love for the game vanished just as her parents’ love had vanished for one another.

Menosha hadn’t seen Kaitlin for a couple weeks since she lost the championship; she hardly answered any of her best friends’ phone calls. Kaitlin came to see Menosha one morning with news that there would be another upcoming competition. The competition would be held at Flushing Meadow Park, and there would be try-outs for the next three days. The prizes included $1,000.00, a trip to Wimbleton, a year of Nike tennis clothing.

Kaitlin convinced her to come out for the tryout. They were both selected to be in the competition. Menosha decided to give this competition her all and do nothing but her best. She was looking forward to getting back to the old Menosha, filled with confidence and ambition,

Kaitlin’s Aunt, her mother’s sister, had been diagnosed with cancer, and was very ill. Her and her family were going to be going to Maryland to care for her ailing aunt. Kaitlin had no choice in the matter, and was made to go along with her family.

The news of Kaitlin leaving almost put Menosha back in that desolate, despondent mood, she had been struggling to get away from. She pushed herself, becoming determined to not go back there ever again.

She met a girl named Lola, who was also in the competition, and who was a great tennis player. She and Lola began to spend time together, working out, practicing their plays and often going out for a bite to eat.

Lola was from the West Indies, she was one great tennis player. She was dark skinned, skinny and she always wore her hair in the most creative braided designs. Lola and Menosha thought they could better their game by learning each other’s styles and moves. They began to spend more than enough time practicing, shopping and enhancing their skills.

Lola lived in Lefrak City, Queens, on the other side of town from where Menosha lived. Lola lived mostly around housing developments and projects while Menosha lived in a suburban side of Queens.

Menosha had never visited any projects or housing complexes before, but she was both anxious and curious to know about how people who lived in them interacted with one another. When Lola invited her to come around to meet some of her friends, Menosha excitedly accepted the invite.

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Menosha and Ming Lee often visited with their father on weekends, the three of them usually went to the movies, out to eat or to the mall. They were finally adjusting to their parents’ separation. Menosha had finally accepted the fact and forgiven her father for leaving her mother and their family. She spoke to her dad on the phone regularly, and he always showed up to watch her practice for the tennis competition.

Menosha had introduced Lola to her father. David was happy to meet Lola, he liked her instantly, he was happy to see Menosha getting out of the funk she was in after he and Minnie Sue had separated. It pleased him immensely that she was socializing and meeting new people.

He found Lola to be outgoing, funny, polite and very skilled in the game of tennis. Minnie Sue on the other hand didn’t particularly care for Menosha hanging out with Lola. She didn’t like Menosha going to Lefrak City at all.

Menosha and her mom got into many arguments over her associating with Lola. Menosha knew it was because Lola was black, and her and her family were from a different part of Queens then where they lived. Minnie Sue believed that Lola was a bad influence for Menosha, and often tried to dissuade Menosha from having a friendship with Lola. If Lola wasn’t such a good tennis player, Minnie Sue would not even be cordial to Lola, she only tolerated the friendship because she felt that she’d be the encouragement Menosha needed to win the competition.

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Lola had never invited Menosha to her house to meet her family; they often went to a park nearby in Lola’s apartment complex. Lola had texted Menosha inviting her to a party that was being thrown for her brother, Calvin. Calvin would be turning 21, and the party was being held in a community room center.

Menosha was thrilled to be going to a party, especially in Lefrak City, she enjoyed being around Lola and her friends. She wanted to fit in, she had no idea on what to wear to the party. She had gone shopping on Jamaica Avenue, to find herself an outfit. She called and asked Lola if she knew a place where she could get her hair braided.

She wanted to look nice, this would be the first time she would be meeting any of Lola’s family members and she wanted to look her very best. Lola took her to get her hair braided. Menosha loved the way her hair looked braided. She had to get herself a pair of gold hooped earrings and a gold bracelet. She was out to look like the girls whom she’d met from Lefrak, she didn’t want them to think she was a nerd or anything like that because she looked different from them culturally.

She was so busy getting her outfit and accessories together that she almost forgot to buy a present for the birthday boy. She asked Lola what type of things her brother liked in order to get an ideal of what type of gift would be appropriate. Lola told her to not worry about a gift. Menosha had never gone to a party and not brought a gift for the birthday person.

Lola explained that the party was considered to be a get together in celebration of a person celebrating another year of life. Menosha felt that all parties were for celebrating a person reaching a new age, a new year. The way Lola put it sounded like it was more than just that but as a matter of luck that a person made it to their next birthday.

Menosha was having trouble finding a gift for Lola’s brother, she didn’t really have many male friends, except for those whom she played tennis with. Knowing that most guys liked one sport or another, she purchased a gift card from Foot Locker, feeling that most guys like to wear sneakers.

Minnie Sue didn’t like the ideal of Menosha going to this party. She did everything she could to talk Menosha out of going to the party at all. Menosha wanted to go to the party, she wanted to meet Lola’s family, since Lola had met hers. She was curious. Minnie Sue hated the fact that she had gotten her hair braided. Menosha ignored her mother and her badgering. She knew that her mother was prejudiced against her own people, her mother felt as if she was above and better than most black people.

Menosha and her mother had a big argument, she told her mother that she was a racist against her own people, Minnie Sue told her that they were not her people, and they would never be her people. She said that most black people were uncivilized and acted like wild animals.

Menohsa told her mother that she was wrong for feeling like that about her own people and that she now understood why Minnie Sue didn’t have any friends and why her father had gotten as far away from her as he could. She felt her mother was jealous that her children were mixed, and she wished she herself could be anything other than black. She told her mother that she would always be black and that she would die black and she should know by now that nothing or no one could ever change that fact. Minnie Sue really got angry when Menosha said that and told her that she would wind up like the rest of those black girls young and dumb with a wasted life.

Menosha said that she’d rather end up any other way than the way her mother ended up being, bitter and miserable, a life spent believing that by marrying an asian man that her life and race could be transformed to being a asian woman.

Her mother walked away from her after hearing all the ugly but true things her daughter accused her of being. They hadn’t spoken for days after that argument.

Menosha had begun to resent her mother, she rebelled against anything her mother said or asked her to do. They no longer did the things they once did when her father lived with them. They were growing further and further apart.

Minnie Sue offered to drive Menosha to the party, Menosha turned down her offer and said she would take a taxi cab to the party and back from the party. Since she rejected her mother’s offer, Minnie Sue told her to be home before 1:00 am and not a minute later or she would find herself grounded. Menosha told her that she would keep her cell phone turned on and that if she needed her she could call her on the phone. She knew that she would turn her phone off, just so her mother could not reach her or interrupt the fun she was looking toward having.

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The Night of The Party

The cab pulled up to the Rego Community Center, Menosha paid for the cab, and waited for Lola in front of the center. When Lola saw her, she was mesmerized at just how good Menosha was looking, all jazzed up with her braided hair, she complimented her on her outfit and arm in arm they went inside the center.

The Rego Center was a very large center, the decorations were beautifully done. Menosha had never attended a party in such a place as this. Balloons were hung everywhere, with a large inflated number 21 hanging in the center of the room. The table and chairs were aligned against one of the walls, there were more than five tables connected, lots of food on every table. So many people were there, that one person would never be able to count them all. Four large speakers were in each corner of the room and the music was blasting. Menosha stopped and stared for a while, before Lola took her hand and told her to come meet her mother.

They made their way through the crowd. The guys were staring at Menosha, asking her for her name and number. Lola pushed past them. They could hardly get to the other side of the room without some random guy asking to meet her, or for a dance. Menosha was flattered by all the attention she was getting, she was also nervous and excited as well to be invited and experience such a party.

Lola stopped in front of one of the tables, where a large woman with dreadlocks stood with a serving spoon in her hand. The lady said come now, bring da girl so me must meet this fine tennis player, me hear you talk so much about.

Lola introduced Menosha to her mother, who they called Marmaduke, Marmaduke grabbed Menosha and hugged her tightly, telling her that she was so happy to finally meet her. She asked Lola had Menosha yet met Calvin, Lola’s brother. Lola said she didn’t know where Calvin was, but as soon as she saw him she would introduce the two of them.

Marmaduke had a very thick accent, Menosha had a hard time understanding what she said. Lola’s mother told her that everyone called her Mamadoo, and she should call her that too. She told Lola to go and find Calvin, so he could meet Menosha.

Lola walked off looking for her brother amongst the crowd. Mamadoo told Menosha how beautiful she looked. Mamadoo and her started talking about tennis and the upcoming competition. She said she needed Lola to win the competition, so they could move from Lefrak City and put down some money for their own home, or move closer to her sisters who lived in Kew Gardens.

A tall light skinned guy came over to where they were talking and asked who Menosha was. Mamadoo introduced the two of them. His name was Doug. Mamadoo said this ere be Lola friend dat play de tennis, she mixed with chinese. Menosha didn’t bother to correct her. She told her that Doug lived next door to them.

Menosha and Doug exchanged pleasantries. He asked her for a dance. Mamadoo pushed her forward and told her gal go have fun. Menosha really didn’t know much about dancing, she watched what the other girls were doing on the dance floor, putting their hands on their knees, sticking their butts in the air, with their tongues hanging out their mouths. Before her and Doug made it to the dance floor, Lola came snatching Menosha away from Doug, telling him to get lost. Doug asked for her phone number, but Lola told him no, she didn’t want no scrub. Doug told Lola that she was foul and grabbed the hand of a girl passing by and they went on the dance floor.

Lola told her that she couldn’t find Calvin, and that they should grab something to drink. Signals went off in Menosha’s head. She thought about the last time she drank, when Kaitlin and her went to the Shamrock Pub and had gotten so drunk that her father had to come and pick them up. Her father was angry with both her and Kaitlin, he never told Minnie Sue about the incident. He parked the car and let them throw up until their heads were clear. Menosha didn’t want that episode to repeat itself.

Lola suggested that they eat before drinking. They went to get something to eat, there was so much carribean food, food Menosha had never eaten before, but she was willing to try the delicious looking food on the tables.

They sat eating their food, watching the people dance. Menosha asked Lola if Mamadoo allowed her to drink. Lola said heck no, that Mamadoo wouldn’t know a thing, that someone had made a punch out of Four Loco and other mixtures of drinks. Lola called a guy over to their table and told him to bring them something to drink. While they were waiting for him to return with their drinks, two girls came over to sit with them, they were girls Menosha had met while hanging out with Lola. They complimented each other on their outfits, and started snapping their fingers and tapping their toes to the music.

When the guy returned with the drinks, Menosha drank her down so fast, Lola told her that she was not supposed to drink a drink so fast, that she needed to get herself another cup and to sip it rather than slurp it down. They began laughing at how inexperienced Menosha was with drinking.

People came to their table asking for Calvin, the birthday guy, and Lola told them he was probably somewhere on the dance floor. Menosha decided to get up and walk around, looking to get herself another drink. The music was getting to her, she started snapping her fingers to the beat.

While Menosha walked towards where the drinks were being served, she heard someone call out miss, she turned and looked to see if they were speaking to her, she saw the darkest, most handsome guy she had ever seen, it wasn’t that he was as dark as his teeth were pearly white, and he had an amazing smile.

Menosha took a deep breath and asked him if he was speaking to her. He approached her with his hand outstretched and told her that he was Calvin, she introduced herself, telling him that she played tennis with his sister, Lola. He took her hand and kissed it, telling her that it was a pleasure to finally meet her, and that he was happy she was able to make it. Calvin asked her where she was heading and she told him that she was going to grab herself a drink. He took her by the hand and led the way to where the drinks were being served.

She got her drink and he was still holding onto her hand, she tried to pull her hand away. Calvin took the cup out of her hand, and led her to the dance floor. Menosha was nervous, she didn’t really know much about dancing, Only the dancing she’d seen on videos. She told Calvin that she didn’t dance much and that she would be embarrassing the birthday boy with her inability to keep up with him.

Step In the Name of Love, by R. Kelly was playing, he told her that it would be easy to keep up, to just listen to the words of the song and she would have no problem. Menosha was feeling light headed from the sips of punch she had drank, but she was also excited to be in the company of such a handsome guy.

Step, step side to side, round and round, now bring it down, Menosha thought about playing tennis, how she moved on the court. She soon had the steps down packed. Lola saw the two of them dancing, she began laughing because Menosha looked like she had a racquet in her hand, although she was doing fine on the dance floor. Calvin was a great dancer, the two of them looked good dancing together.

Calvin wouldn’t let go of Menosha, they danced to the next song. Just Fine, by Mary J. Blige. Menosha began to relax, she enjoyed being in Calvin’s company. After the song ended, they went to the table where Lola was sitting. Lola told Menosha `` So you finally met the birthday fellow, so I take it no introductions are needed.

Lola leaned over and kissed her brother on the cheek, wishing him a happy birthday. Calvin couldn’t stop staring at Menosha, and she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off him. He asked her to come sit with him at a different table, taking her by the hand and leading the way.

They sat three tables away from where Lola and her friends were sitting. He asked her to tell him about herself. She told him about her parents, her little sister, Ming Lee, her love for the game of tennis, and that she had never been to such a party where everyone seemed to be so connected. Calvin smiled the smile that seemed to light up the room, and told her how happy he was to have met her.

A guy came over to where they were sitting, he told Calvin that he had been looking all over for him. He asked who Menosha was, Calvin introduced them to one another, telling Menosha that this is Frog, his best friend. Frog was pretty strange looking, he wore thick glasses and his lips appeared to be like frog lips. Frog shook her hand, and sat down at the table. He asked her what her nationality was, she told him she was bi-racially Black and Korean.

Someone was waving to Calvin, telling him to come to the other side of the room. Calvin got up, told her he would be right back, and to please wait for him. While Menosha sat waiting, talking with Frog, Lola and her friends came over and told her to come on and that everyone was going to be doing the electric slide dance. Menosha had never heard of such a dance, but she was willing to give it a try.

She was feeling good from the punch and felt like she could take on the mere task of following a dance act. She really wanted another drink, but she passed on the drink when she saw the people gathering in the center of the dance floor, even Mamadoo was in the line preparing to do this electric slide dance.

Once she got the hang of the dance, she liked it, Calvin found himself next to her giving her more confidence. She felt exhilarated being next to Calvin. She watched as other girls looked at the two of them with envy. She wondered where his girlfriend was or if he even had one.

Mamadoo had got off the dance floor, turned the music down and picked up the microphone. She announced that it was time to sing Happy Birthday. The crowd began to sing a different Happy Birthday song then Menosha was used to hearing.

Calvin left her side and went to the front of the center, taking the microphone, thanking all his guests for attending his party. Menosha had decided to get her last drink after all. Frog had come up behind her, asking if she wanted to dance. She declined and told him that she was going to get her last drink for the night, before heading home.

He walked with her to the punch table, while talking about the game of tennis. Frog said that he used to play tennis. She didn’t know if he was just pulling her leg or telling the truth. She told him that she had over fifteen trophies, and that she had been the key player in Queens Academy School, beating Brooklyn’s Fitness. He said that she must be a very good player, because Brooklyn Fitness had gone undefeated for a long time. The school was recognized once as the best tennis school in the triboro area. She reminded him that it was a long time ago. They begin to laugh, and he confessed to not really ever playing tennis, but that he liked the game, he especially liked to watch Lola play on the courts. Menosha began to laugh extra hard, she didn’t know what had come over her, she figured it was the punch.

She poured the rest of her drink out, knowing she had to travel back to Rosedale. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, she pulled the phone out and saw that it was her mother calling, she hit reject and put the phone back into her pocket. She knew she better be going, before her mother came looking for her.

Calvin was announcing Lola’s upcoming tennis competition, asking all to come out and support his sister. He thanked his mother for being the best mother anyone could ever hope for. After he finished speaking, the music began to play again. The song, Before I let go, by Frankie Beverly and Maze was playing as people prepared to leave.

Menosha knew she better call a cab to come pick her up, she put nothing past her mother, she was capable of doing the unthinkable at times. She was not prepared to be embarrassed by her mother showing up, spoiling her night.

She asked Frog if he knew a taxi-cab number, he told her that a cab stand was only a block away and that he would walk her to get a taxi. She went to find Lola, but didn’t see her. She hugged Mamadoo, thanked her for inviting her, and told her she wished to see her again soon.

Menosha’s phone continued to vibrate in her pocket, she took the phone out and texted her mother that she was on her way home. Calvin came to where she and Frog were standing and said that he would walk her to the taxi stand.

She thanked Frog, telling him she was happy to meet him and looked forward to seeing him again at the competition. He said he’d be there, that he wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Her and Calvin started walking toward the taxi stand, when her phone vibrated once again, she told her mother that she was in the cab on her way home. She hated lying to her mother, but she knew it was the only way to get her to stop calling her. She thought it would be best if she put the phone in her purse, that way she wouldn’t have to feel the vibrations or answer the calls. As she was putting the phone away, she noticed that she hadn’t given Calvin his birthday card and gift. She removed the card and handed it to him. He told her that she didn’t have to do that, but he took the envelopes anyway, thanking her for her thoughtfulness.

He told her that he really wanted to see her again, that he was digging her, and asked for her telephone number. Menosha and him exchanged numbers. He kissed her on the mouth and told her to get home safely as she got into the taxi-cab.

That was the first time a guy had ever kissed her. She never thought it would be so fast, she smiled, she couldn’t believe that she had actually allowed him to kiss her. It was so unexpected, the kiss made her feel a swelling in the head. She smiled, blushing as she closed the cab door. Again, wishing him a Happy Birthday.

The cab pulled off, she sat back in the cab, closing her eyes, daydreaming about Calvin, and what it would be like to be his girlfriend. Her phone beeped indicating that she had a text message, she took the phone out of her purse and read a text from Lola, telling her that she was sorry she missed her, and asking that she call her when she reached home.

She drove in silence as the cab rode on the Cross Island Parkway. The ride would only take 20 minutes, and she would be home. It was just a little after 1am, she would be home before 1:30 am.

When she reached home her mother was sitting in the living room waiting. The feelings from the punch disappeared. Her mother asked her how the party went. She told her mother that she enjoyed herself, had a good time. She told her the events of the night, leaving out the part about Calvin kissing her.

Minnie Sue told her that she really appreciated her coming home at a decent time, even though she was half an hour late. Her mother told her how beautiful she looked. Menosha thanked her mother for letting her go to the party, bent down to kiss her mother on the forehead before heading upstairs to her room.

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The next morning, Menosha woke to a ringing phone, Kaitlin was calling to see how things were going for her. She told Kaitlin all about the party, and Lola’s brother, Calvin. She brightened up each time she mentioned his name. Kaitlin told Menosha that her aunt’s condition was only getting worse, and she didn’t think she would be home anytime soon. She said she would more than likely miss the tennis competition. She asked about Lola and how Menosha’s practice was coming along.

Menosha hated that Kaitlin would not be at the competition, she never played a competition match without Kaitlin being there to cheer her on. They stayed on the phone talking for more than an hour. Menosha told her all about Calvin and how handsome he was, how she wished to be his girlfriend.

She forced herself out of bed, jumped into the shower and got on her treadmill, with her headphones on, the music only made her think of the night before and how much she enjoyed herself dancing and having fun. Her mind kept going back to Calvin, his lovely smile, him kissing her on the mouth. She wanted to kiss him again, this time hoping the kiss would last longer than the first kiss.

Menosha had finally found something besides tennis that could possibly bring her as much joy. Calvin.

She and her father had a lunch date for the day, she hurriedly finished her work-out so that she could get ready to meet David for their Sunday lunch date.

Ming Lee and Minnie Sue had already left the house, they were going to the zoo, after they shopped for a new pair of sneakers for Ming Lee.

When Menosha and her dad arrived at the Cordon Le Bleu restaurant, they were seated at their reserved table. David complimented her on the braids, saying that he really liked the look. He told her that she was a ravishing beauty. She blushed. David asked about her tennis practice and told her that if she did well in the competition, he would get her a car of her own. Menosha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had been asking to get her permit for over a year now. He told her that she needed to not only get her permit exam done, but she had to also get her license. He said he would buy the car and keep it in his garage until she got her license.

They traveled to Queens Boulevard at one of the car dealerships to look at some cars. Menosha found the ideal car. She jumped on her dad thanking him, telling him how much she loved him, and appreciated him. David purchased the car, handled all the paperwork and arranged to have the car delivered to his address.

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Menosha was excited to soon have a car of her own. No more public transportation, or taxi-cabs. She couldn’t wait to tell her friends about her car. She called Lola, but she was practicing and couldn’t talk. Lola usually practiced seven days a week. Kaitlin didn’t answer, she left a message, asking Kaitlin to call her back as soon as she could.

Minnie Sue and Ming Lee were just getting home, just walking into the house, Menosha ran down the stairs saying Ma, guess what you’ll never believe it, daddy bought me a car, a car of my own. Minnie Sue looked at her and asked, what did you just say? Why would he buy you a car, you have no license? Menosha saw that her mother was not happy at all. Minnie Sue went on talking about how her father never asked her if it would be alright for him to buy a car for their daughter, he never discussed buying a car at all.

Menosha felt that her mother was way too upset, when she never intended to drive the car until she had her license. She just couldn’t understand where the anger was coming from. Her mother appeared to be jealous, jealous of her and her fathers’ relationship. Ming Lee on the other hand was happy. She jumped around singing Nosha gonna get a car.

Minnie Sue told Ming Lee to go upstairs and do some homework. She then turned and told Menosha that she didn’t want her focusing on driving, that she had an upcoming tournament and that is where her focus should lie, and that she was going to call David and set him straight. Menosha went to say something, but Minnie Sue stopped her, telling her that she didn’t want to