Rhonda was a pretty thing. Light skinned and her hair was fine and didn't need much processing to look good. She was brought here from her island at thirteen in 1959 by an uncle. Her parents back home thought she would have a good American life so they tearfully let her go. What they didn't know was her uncle Lewis had made a deal with another man to sell Rhonda to him for a wife. By 1961, at fifteen, Rhonda was married to a man named Henry who was 45 years old. Needless to say there was no love between the two. Rhonda's purpose was to keep Henry's house and receive his sex whenever he wanted which was often and brutish. The women of the neighborhood were irate at the whole situation. Lewis was ostrasized from community doings but he didn't care. He got good money for Rhonda and threatened her that if she tried to run off her family would be disgraced. Never being allowed to go to school Rhonda was easily manipulated.
So all the neighborhood woman could do was to try to look after Rhonda as best they could. They taught her the skills to keep a good house so at least Henry wouldn't beat her for being slovenly. And they gave her their remedies so she would not become pregnant too young. Henry didn't even think to question her not getting pregnant because he wasn't interested in having any children. He just wanted sex. The women taught Rhonda what reading and writing and figuring they collectively knew. She actually was very bright, especially with numbers. All this kept her content enough to not be totally crushed in spirit by her situation. By 1966 when Rhonda turned twenty Henry was easy enough in mind to think Rhonda had no desire anymore to leave him. So he let her take a little job up the street at the Bomb Shelter doing the books.
By 1968 the world was an exciting place. Women's rolls were changing and free love was in the air. As Rhonda was blooming Henry was well on the decline.
Rhonda would go to the club every other afternoon to do the books for the previous couple of days. On the weekends Henry would take her there for the sociability of other couples and puff himself up over having a pretty young wife. The club had started having a group come in to play the new music on the weekends. Something different from the old folkloric stuff. Times were changing.
One Saturday afternoon Rhonda went by the Bomb to return some bookwork. Henry was at a neighbors playing cards, so she felt she had a little free time. Walking down the stairs she heard music playing. A new group, The Ebony Brothers, was rehersing for the Saturday night gig. Rhonda took a stool at the bar and swung around to face them. That's when she first saw Lemar. He was tall and thin and light skinned like herself. He was beautiful. He was playing the sax and Rhonda fell in love right there on that stool, for the first time in her life. She could not take her eyes off him. When Mozel looked at Lemar she saw he was returning the gaze to Rhonda. "Oh no" Mozel muttered to no one.
At the break Mozel had no choice but to introduce Rhonda to everyone. The band was from a nearby city, just coming up in the world. Playing local clubs for exposure.
That night Rhonda dressed and did her hair with extra care. Henry didn't notice.
So all the neighborhood woman could do was to try to look after Rhonda as best they could. They taught her the skills to keep a good house so at least Henry wouldn't beat her for being slovenly. And they gave her their remedies so she would not become pregnant too young. Henry didn't even think to question her not getting pregnant because he wasn't interested in having any children. He just wanted sex. The women taught Rhonda what reading and writing and figuring they collectively knew. She actually was very bright, especially with numbers. All this kept her content enough to not be totally crushed in spirit by her situation. By 1966 when Rhonda turned twenty Henry was easy enough in mind to think Rhonda had no desire anymore to leave him. So he let her take a little job up the street at the Bomb Shelter doing the books.
By 1968 the world was an exciting place. Women's rolls were changing and free love was in the air. As Rhonda was blooming Henry was well on the decline.
Rhonda would go to the club every other afternoon to do the books for the previous couple of days. On the weekends Henry would take her there for the sociability of other couples and puff himself up over having a pretty young wife. The club had started having a group come in to play the new music on the weekends. Something different from the old folkloric stuff. Times were changing.
One Saturday afternoon Rhonda went by the Bomb to return some bookwork. Henry was at a neighbors playing cards, so she felt she had a little free time. Walking down the stairs she heard music playing. A new group, The Ebony Brothers, was rehersing for the Saturday night gig. Rhonda took a stool at the bar and swung around to face them. That's when she first saw Lemar. He was tall and thin and light skinned like herself. He was beautiful. He was playing the sax and Rhonda fell in love right there on that stool, for the first time in her life. She could not take her eyes off him. When Mozel looked at Lemar she saw he was returning the gaze to Rhonda. "Oh no" Mozel muttered to no one.
At the break Mozel had no choice but to introduce Rhonda to everyone. The band was from a nearby city, just coming up in the world. Playing local clubs for exposure.
That night Rhonda dressed and did her hair with extra care. Henry didn't notice.
posted by minniepeckham at 10:53 AM
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