I'm grown!

People like to poke me.

Not in a sexual way, oh no. More like, say, you poke a ticklish child, or a fat kid. In the stomach, or more likely, my ribs, because one coworker I have thinks my stomach is really long maybe, and consistently pokes me above-elbow on my side, which is surely my ribs and awfully close to my breast.

I've taken to yelling out, "I'm grown!" and then asking them why they are touching me as if I am 5. For instance, my buddy, who I call Walter Lee, was stroking my hair. I'd just washed it and it was extra wavy. He's all, "ooh your hair is so soft, it smells like white girls' hair." I assume this is because I use suave strawberry shampoo? Anyway, "I'm grown Walter Lee, why are you caressing my hair?" But I can't get too mad at him because he's my friend and I really like when people play in my hair. It was just so out of the blue.

What I don't like is people presuming I'm not as old as I am. Someone I work with asked me what high school I go too. What?! Stop the madness! I'm in my mid-20s! I'm grown! And we been working together for years! Why do you think I'm class of 07?

Yes, I think I have a "baby face." I have big, high cheeks, and I don't wear make up. Sometimes I go a minute without arching my brows, and as breezy says, "that uniform does you no justice." but damn, I'm grown! I tell people I've lived in Atlanta for 12 years and they ask if I was too young to remember CT. Stop it! And sometimes my opinion is dismissed because I'm "young." Shit, I'm not naïve. Try me.

The name doesn't help, I'm sure. Joy. Its innocent and happy. Its no Veronica or Louise or Teresa. No sexy in my name. No adult or poised in my name. People see my name and think "aw!"

I wouldn't change my looks for anything. I feel like once I get 50 or so maybe I'll look 30? That's a nice thought. My dad doesn't look 46. Maybe that's why his girlfriend is younger than me, but I digress. Right now, I continue to yell.

I'M GROWN!!!
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