CHAPTER 3
YOU KNOW ME
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"Prior to this story your work has usually surrounded about the good side of love, of community, of friendship specifically within POC space. This book not only had a cis white male love interest but is also certainly more depressing that your other books. So what inspired you to write your latest novel, Avocado Underwear? Why the change?"
Julie nodded her head, taking in the question. "Honestly, I think since my last birthday, I've been reminiscing about my youth, something I never thought I'd do. It was hard, late 90s, growing up as a black child in a place like Virginia. My mom never wanted me to loose my blackness so it only made me stick out that much more. The character is a lot like me even if her circumstances are different. I also know what it feels like to fight for your respect, to be the best, and to meet someone in that space who makes you feel seen, and wanted. I think I wrote Avocado Underwear to thank my blackness, but also to thank that person, to yell at him. To relive a first love in a way. He was a white cis male, and it was a depressing kinda unrequited love."
The interviewer smiled and touched his heart. "The readers certainly felt the yearn of first love, the rejection and hopelessness. I know I did."
"Yeah." She chuckled, her mind spiraled into memories of him, his touch. Her head was spinning, she couldn't tell if it was from the memories or something more concerning.
"So what is next for you, Ms. Jones? What are you planning to do now?"
"Well, I'm a very work oriented person, I plan on focusing on my writing right now and... focus on... sorry..." Julie paused, pressing her lips tightly. "I plan..." the room began dancing and she couldn't hear the interviewers voice anymore, nothing more than incoherent noise in her ears.
"Ms. Jones?"
"I..." She shook her head trying to focus her attention, but all she could feel was a lump growing in the back of her neck and her stomach convulsing.
"Julie?!" The interviewer repeated, his formal pleasantries dropped and concern took its place. "Someone call an ambulance!" He yelled out, but by then, Julie had already dropped to the ground, seemingly lifeless.
When she finally came too again, she was bombarded by a bright light, the fluorescents burned her sensitive corneas. Everything felt cold, unfamiliar. She squeezed her lids tightly in an attempt to smooth the burning pain.
"Ahh, Ms. Jones, you're finally awake." The voice of a woman suddenly flooded her ears.
Shocked, Julie opened her eyes decisively this time and fought against the light to see who was talking to her. "What's going on? Where am I?"
"I'm Doctor Avery, you are at Sentara Virginia Hospital."
"Hospital? Oh my god, what happened?"
"You took quite a spill Ms. Jones. It wouldn't have been that bad but you hit your head pretty hard when you went down. Lucky, it doesn't seem too bad, a little rest and gentle care should get you back on your feet."
Suddenly the back of Julie's head throbbed. A sharp pain shot right through her back, swerving around her spine. "Ow." She hissed.
"Sorry, there's not much we can give for the pain. You're still early, we don't want it conflicting with this trimester."
Julie tilted her head confused. "Trimester?"
YOU ARE READING
Skinny Love
Roman d'amour𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 can refer to two people who have very strong feelings for each other, but are too shy to show it. It can also refer to an existing relationship in which there's no love or emotional fulfillment, but only a codependent need for...
