CHAPTER 29 -ENOUGH

During one parent's weekend, my dad noticed how much fun I was having with Tony

and André who were dating pretty girls from basketball. He took me aside to mention that he wouldn't pay for my college if I dated a black man.

"That's so prejudiced!" I yelled. "And those guys are taken! Can't I even joke around with them?"

My mother tried to soften what Dad said.

"It's just that your father and I don't want you to have such a hard time in life. And your children. Mulato babies have such a hard time."

This was the kind of cover-up that made me want to call 'bullshit' on my parents and their values, and all parents and all values and all authority, especially white authority. My hatred for their values would drive my explorations for the next few years.

The wrestlers worked out in the boiler room under the mansion, sucking on candy and spitting into cups until they could wrestle in a lighter class.