Chapter 1: 'EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE'

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3 Years Later. Birmingham, Alabama

I gradually placed all of the offering envelopes into their assigned arrangement in each pugh, as I always do every Sunday morning before church. Walking around every pugh and aisle in the sanctuary on the ground floor and balcony, then I finished placing fans in the seats where the Mothers of the house sat. I've been doing this routine for almost 3 months so, It just comes natural to me. Once everything was completed I tried my luck to see if I could make it to the local mini mart to grab a bite to eat. So I proceeded to my father's office to ask his permission. 

Exiting the sanctuary I made my short travel to my father's pastoral office. Approaching the open door I could hear him preparing the word he was going to bring forth on today. I smiled and turned the corner into the burgundy and gold decorated room. Going unnoticed I gently knocked on the mahogany door.  

"Hey daddy" I greeted with a smile. He pivoted his head in my direction and returned my smile with an even bigger one. 

"Hey baby girl," He walked over to me as if we hadn't seen each other in decades bringing me into a tight embrace. He smelled of a strong autumn musk as he always did. Pulling away from his over exagerated hug I went to sit in his office chair and propped my feet on his desk. 

"So what brings you here?" he asked with his rough down south Albama accent 

"What, I can't just come give you a visit before Sunday school?" I joked 

"Well yeah of course baby girl but this is the first you've done it since the day you got here" 

"I know, but usually Natasha and I  go to McDonalds or something to get a bite to eat but she had to leave" I said referring to my step mother 

"Leave? and go where?" 

"I don't know she just left, and I'm hungry so can I please go to the mini mart around the corner?" 

My dad's smiling face was gone in an instant. He looked at me with the most worried yet disappointed eyes 

"Now, Bambi you know how I feel about you walking around the neighborhoods, especially on your own" 

"I know daddy but I haven't ate and I'm so hungry. How about you give me the keys to the Escalade and I'll be safe and quick." I suggested  

"Oh no. Sorry baby girl but you're not even,18 yet" 

"But I will be in less than a month please Daddy I'm so hungry" 

He gave me a side glare and I could tell he was considering my offer, even though he didn't want to. He sighed heavily and began speaking again 

"Fine. But you only get to walk from here to the store. No short cuts and take all the main streets. Cross at all the street lights and no giving money to hobos. They're like cats, once you feed them they'll never leave you alone"  

"Yes daddy, but we're Christians, aren't we supposed to be the ones helping the needy" 

"Of course but not when you're by yourself" he stated 

"Okay. Well I will be back in 20 minutes. Thirty tops" 

"I'll be counting" he said in a joking tone but I knew all to well that he wasn't joking. I hurried and left out of the building before he could change his mind, waving hi to the deacons and incoming congregation. 

I walked up the street making my way to Martin Luther King BLVD. Since I've made it to Birhmingham I've never walked anywhere. My daddy's over protective side comes out everytime I'm mentioned. It's different from what I was used to in New York but I've been getting used to it for almost 3 years.  

I placed in my earbuds and put my iPhone on shuffle. Recently all my music had been erased due to the "saving of my soul" Or whatever else these Christians call it. Oh how I wished and longed to hear the flowing lyrics of Lil Wayne or the beautiful voice in which belonged to the even more beautiful Beyonce. But now I'm reduced to a gospel only playlist which includes Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, Mary Mary and many other legendary gospel singers.  

Paying attention to my surroundings I disobeyingly J-walked across the empty road. I know I was supposed to cross at the light but if I do I would have passed the store. Getting safely across I mentally tell my dad 'I told you so, nothing to worry about' 

I got to the mini mart and walked into the deeply cooled air. I had been in the store many times before with Natasha so I knew where everything was. I walked straight to the food aisle and grabbed a bag of Honey Bar-b-que flavored chips and a pineapple watermelon faygo pop. I went up to the sales clerk and took my place in line. 

As I waited I decided to look at a magazine. I just picked up the first one I saw and flipped through the page stopping randomly at a picture of an African beauty.  

I automactically began to feel myself becoming enticed by the woman. 

She was standing, nude, between two other nude females. Each of a different shade of brown. The caption read in bold letter 'EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE'. Although it was an ad for make-up and other various beauty products I still felt my hormones rush. I uncontrollably licked my lips and glazed over the 3 beautiful women. I stared in their eyes and looked at her smile as my mind rushed back to my time in New York. From my first get together with a female to the last. I remembered the way I felt when a female touched me where it felt nice. Then I remembered her. The only female that brought joy to my life. Who made me feel free and alive. Since I moved here I have not been with a girl. Although being down south makes me want them even more. There are so many voluptuous females here. I've tried to contain how I feel and I've kept it from everyone but every so often I can feel myself wanting to be with a girl very badly.

"Next" said the sales clerk. I returned from my memory and back to reality. That life is now over, it's behind me.  

I put the magazine back and walked forward smiling at the older woman. I gave her my things and she rang them up. Violently chewing her gum she told me the cost of my groceries. I payed and made my way out the door but before I could make it out I heard a familiar tune being whistled past me. I stopped in my spot and listened as the girl whistled a song dear to my heart. It was Fly by Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. The tune sent me back to the same female that woed my life and won my heart. I turned to find the person as they had reverted to singing. She sounded so beautiful and familiar.  

"It can't be" I told myself. I followed the voice as it grew louder "It's not possible" 

I found myself down an aisle and walking up to a female. She had on a pink and blue outfit As she was rocking out loud to the song. The swaying of her hips and arms and the big voice let me know that it was her. Her big curly golden brown hair stopping in the middle of her back. As I approached her the scent of strawberry cream filled my nose. I began singing with her.  

"I came to win, To fly, To conquer..." the girl stopped singing as I continued. She paused for a moment then whipped her head towards me. 

"Bambi?"

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Hi Guys!!!

So hows the first chapter? is it good? Tell me.

Love yhu guys!!!

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