Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK Literary Cafe 2018 Mother's Day Issue | Page 13

Angelia Vernon Menchan
Mama always found the funds for me to attend field
trips, camps, and anything that would help me grow and
make sure I was the best-dressed kid and the most well-
rounded. I’m sure that’s why the incident that day in the
nightclub haunted her. My well being and appearance
was so important to her.
More than anything, I think she taught me fearlessness.
One night we were walking home from somewhere, I
think I was eight or nine. It was late, and as we passed
the cemetery, I moved to the other side.
“What’s wrong with you?” Mama asked.
“I’m scared.”
Grabbing my hand, she turned to the cemetery and
walked me through. Her point was to show me that dead
people couldn’t harm me. Because I was with her, I felt
brave, but once our tour was over, I felt fearless. That
was a turning point for me.
In her later years, and I returned home after more than
twenty years away, we became extremely close. She
shared her life story with me and listened as I spoke. She
also became my biggest advocate and the way she said,
“My daughter ...” filled me with joy. When she died, the
one thing I knew for sure was how much she loved her
Angel.
My godmother was where I went for peace. I started
working at thirteen and work, school, and her home was
my sanctuary. Once, she asked if my mother’s husband
ever tried to ‘mess’ with me. I know she meant sex. He
was a mean man, but that wasn’t in him. Thank God.
For most of my high school years, I was with her.
When I turned sixteen, she asked me if I were sexual.
“No, ma’am. I’m a Virgin.” She quickly told me about
birth control, hygiene, and pleasure. She warned me
not to fool with young boys and only end up with a wet
behind. She told me my pleasure was as important as his.
A few years later I took her advice. Thank you, godma.
She remained a part of my life even when I lived
abroad and in other states. When I moved to Jacksonville
in 1999, she resided there with her only daughter. She
lived until 2004 at age 102 and is still part of my daily
thanksgiving. She was a non-blood mother.
I had three aunts who were also instrumental in my
growth. THE ELDEST was a gentle spirit who gave
me homemade fudge, introduced me to magazines, and
always gave me money when I visited. We didn’t talk
much, but read together and that was a beautiful thing.
THE MIDDLE AUNT was stern but taught me to
save, handle my business, and to want a man and not
The woman who loved me most, other than my mother, need one. She also loved movies and we often went on
was MY GODMOTHER. She was a doula or midwife Sunday drives and for meals in her later years. Before
assistant and was there with mom and me from birth. she died at 86, she thanked me for valuing her and the
She also became my safe place. I often stayed with her elders.
Finally, my YOUNGEST AUNTIE was my friend. She
weekends when mom was away and during the summer.
She taught me practical, common sense things. We read was a homebody and everyone thought she was helpless.
books and newspapers and often went to the movies. She Ironically, at 85, she’s a thirty-year cancer survivor and
has proven to be elegant and resilient. I visit her at least
took the time to listen to me.
During my teens, my home life was tumultuous. My twice a month to take her to appointments, shop for her,
mom had married a man who didn’t care for me at all. and just be there for her to talk to. We are both benefiting
The feeling was mutual. In my mind, he was a big, dumb from the experience.
I was raised by women. POWEFUL WOMEN who
handsome oaf who stole my mom’s free spirit and I
resented him. He resented my smart mouth and the fact taught me the meaning of beauty, life, love, self-care,
I wouldn’t accept his largesse as my younger sister had. self-awareness, and to know how to #JustLOVE
Angelia Vernon Menchan is an avid serial writer. Her goal is to engage readers in ongoing stories
filled with people like them, who they can grow to know. Some will inspire love and devotion,
others rage and ridicule, perhaps. They will all inspire feelings and generate conversation .
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