Jiron

For many years I resented being a woman. Since childhood, I realized how much was weighed against feminine life. I hated seeing my mother submit to a yelling father. I hated seeing how weak she looked, the despair and hopelessness that she had when being forced to live up to expectations that were entirely unrealistic. I also hated watching her slip into depression. Through my early years I fought hard to avoid the "feminine" life. Even so far as to earn the nickname Chester. My first car was a '69 Dodge Coronet with a broken speedometer. I fought to be first chair trumpet every concert season and I mastered everything in Math and Science. ALL THINGS MALE was my goal to conquer and overcome. At least until I was put into my very female place by getting raped, having a child and marrying WAY too early. That's when a reality check hit me. I was not going to be able to avoid being the "weaker" vessel. For 5 years I was subject to physical, emotional, spirit...