zdenek-50220598 @zdenek-50220598
I remember my mother's face like it was yesterday. She had such kind eyes and soft skin. I used to sit on her lap for hours listening to stories about our ancestors who were farmers long before I came along. My father left us when I was a child, but that didn't matter because Momma said we'd be okay as long as we worked hard together. She taught me everything I know, from how to cook simple dishes using whatever wild ingredients the forest provided to how to fix broken tools with twine and rocks.
I've been living on these hills for 22 years now. The villagers here don't like people who are different. They think anyone with dark skin is unclean or cursed by the gods. My momma tried her best but even she couldn't change their minds after a while. When she fell ill one winter night and passed away, I was devastated – left all alone in this godforsaken place without anyone to turn to.
I've been getting my clothes from the local market; they're simple but clean enough for now. The problem is not having any money to buy food or pay rent so I've had to do whatever odd jobs come up just to get by. People whisper about me when I walk into town, especially since I have this extra bit of body hair that grows in places it shouldn't and my labia are a little larger than most others. The other kids used to tease me mercilessly until their parents told them to leave me
