Fabulous Women, Southern Discomfort -Rhonda

Next to be introduced is Rhonda the saint of the group. Rhonda was old-fashioned, honest true and steadfast. You could always count on her in any situation. No matter what her problems were, she always put her friends' problems first and tried to help in any way she could. She lived in an all black neigborhood and didn't have a prejudiced thought in her mind. She loved her neighbors and always paid them a visit in their homes as most of them were home bound due to one malady or another. She always remembered their birthdays without ever having to write them down. She would take a modest present to them even though she lived on modest means herself.

Her husband, Herbert (who was always referred to as Emperor as he was alpha male at the local VFW). Rhonda also called him Emperor but always with her tongue firmly held in cheek. Sarcasm being one of her specialties even when it was done in a passive-aggressive way. She wouldn't berate him for being late for dinner, but she would "accidently" burn it. She got revenge in her own way and that was just fine with the rest of her friends who admired everything she did.

How would one describe Herbert? Let's start by describing his physiche before describing his demeanor. He was tall. About 6 foot 1 and not classicly handsome. He looked a little like Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden and reminded all who knew him as such as well as how he behaved. Although the caveat was that Herbert had a far nastier disposition and never visibally showed remose of any kind. His treatment of him wife was deplorable. He bellowed often and cursed every breath Rhonda took. He never struck Rhonda but caused phsycological damage that sometimes was worse and deeper than the physical kind. And it lasted longer. He would scream for his breakfast, lunch and dinner even if it were to his liking or not. Rhonda took his abuse in stride and how she tolerated that or why boggles the mind. He wasnot considered a decent person except with the boys at the VMW of course.

Herbert and Rhonda's children were terrified of him and would cower when he came home from work at the local ice factory. The ice factory being conveniently located adjascent to the VFW where he always had his after work libations before returning home to torture the wife and kids.

Their children were Morton and Vanda. Very sweet people in theri own right having inheirited their mother's goodness and mild temperment. Morton had been born with the ambilical chord wrapped around his throat which signficntally cut the oxygen to his brain causing hinderences that would define his life until the end. Rhonda would never say the words retarded or challenged. No, those terms would never be acceptable and were regarded as slurs against him. Which no one would ever do. Instead she called him a "blue baby" blue being the color of his scunched face when he emerged from the birth canal. He had his mother's love in a special way as was her nature. He had jet black hair just like his father and unfortunately looked like his father too. If Rhonda's friends could venture an opinion, they would guess Morton was her favorite. He needed more love , care and attention and this he received from Rhonda.

Vanda was a sweet child with a disposition much like her mother's. She was born beautiful with delicate features and curly blond hair that would draw oohs and aahs from everyone who gazed upon her. She was regarded all through childhood and adulthood as the prettiest girl in their small town.

Rough draft;;more about child abuse, pogo stick and such. Also about her having to get a "peace bond" on him late at night.