Felicia Wilfred Johnson is the oldest child of Pete and Sarah. From the moment she was born, she didn’t give her parents any trouble. She barely cried, slept through the night, and seemed to “use” the bathroom at the most convenient of times and with very little smell. Pete and Sarah doted on her. Of course, as more children were born, this meant that time had to be divided amongst the brood. She didn’t complain. Just accepted the situation.
As Felicia grew into a beautiful, young woman, her parents had insinuated what college to attend, who she should date, and what she should do with her life and in what timeframe. Felicia felt the pressure, but never said anything because she did not want to disappoint her parents. She was unhappy, but thought her parents knew best. At the age of 43, all of that changed.
Continue reading “Turning Point”
The year was 1961. Sarah Tate was entering the 9th grade. She wore a red, cream, and teal plaid skirt with an aqua Peter Pan collared shirt, teal cardigan, matching knee socks, and crimson loafers. Her hair was shoulder length with a swoop bang and slightly flipped on the ends. She was nervous because this would be her first day of high school. As she looked around, it appeared that the summer had been good to most of her female peers. At the sight, she clasped her books to her chest to keep anyone from noticing her lack of development. 
Kach Wilfred is the middle child and only son in the Wilfred family. Growing up he had to battle his sisters for toys, bathroom time, and attention. Being the only boy, one would think Kach was treated special or even spoiled. Well, think again. Life for Kach was quite the opposite – or at least in his eyes. Whenever his father noticed he was spending a lot of time around his mother and sisters, he’d yell derogatory phrases at Kach like “Get from around there. Do you want to grow up to be a sissy?” and “I guess you’ll be knitting and starting your period too.” Kach felt self-conscious and only hung around his female relatives when his father was not around, which was often. Since Pete Wilfred owned his own business, his time with the family was limited. But he tried to make dinner every night, and have family time after church on Sundays. He kept his word on most occasions, but there were times when he missed a dinner here or there because of something urgent. 
Monica Wilfred-Sullivan and her husband, Chay, live in a posh mini-mansion on the outskirts of Atlanta. They have no children, but adore their cherished tan and black Norfolk terrier named Toto (after Monica’s favorite movie the Wizard of Oz). Chay is a corporate executive for a major department store, while Monica is a hospital administrator. Time is often spent in offices or at home on conference calls in front of the computer. Quality time for the couple is a quick bit to eat at breakfast and a kiss before they hit the sheets at night. The routine has gone on for so many years that Monica has forgotten when it began. When the holidays roll around, it’s just like any ordinary day. This year, Monica wants something different for Christmas. She is still hyped about her reunion with her family at Thanksgiving and wants to carry that spirit through til….well she just didn’t want it to end. And why should it?
Melanie V. Logan 