Chinney Tells A Story

In this sidebar, episodes 21 and 22 are discussed. Ron has created a physically unsafe envioronment for Shelonda. But this episode explains why she has been mentally, physically, and emotionally unsafe all along.

Shelonda has OBVIOUS issues with Mom after the hospital confession, but their relationship takes a drastic new turn after Shelonda's secret gets exposed.

KEN is incarcerated, and Ron makes good on his promise to ensure that he and Shelonda both pay for the attack. Life is physically difficult for Shelonda, but an unexpected discovery is about to make it emotionally grueling as well.

In this extended sidebar, Chinney breaks down the relationship between Shelonda and KEN. Also included are some real life sidebars and moments of transparency. 

Well, I think we can all reasonably assume that we know what happened to KEN. But we're not the only ones, and someone is about to pay for that.

KEN and Shelonda move forward after the "incident", and they get closer than ever. She has managed to avoid telling him about some of the troubling aspects of her life, but she soon learns that things have a way of escaping from the boxes that she struggles to keep closed.

KEN has some explaining to do....AGAIN! But this time, it's much bigger than cheating. Knowing that he has to go above and beyond, KEN introduces some things that will follow them both for a very long time--literally and figuratively.

After "Operation Melonie", Shelonda extends a courtesy to KEN that ends up blowing up in her face. But the fallout is nearly as consequential as the actual event. She has questions about it. And the fact that she has questions means that she is willing to accept an answer....

After Shelonda's fellowship day discovery, she's faced with the realization that she has to confront KEN. And while he does his "due diligence", he also creates an unhealthy set of circumstances that start the process of Shelonda sharing the blame with him. 

Once again, Shelonda is out of school for the summer. As a result, she is unable to keep up with her regular schedule with KEN. Shelonda is perfectly fine with the arrangement until a chance encounter muddies the waters.

After the "Accidental O", Shelonda decides to make a play and up the ante. She soon finds out, however, that her expectations for the experience are....unrealistic.

After KEN comes back to school, he and Shelonda start a new routine that changes the dynamics of their relationship. Shelonda learns something that they DID NOT teach her in family life.

Things take another turn between Shelonda and Ron as she makes it through her 8th grade year. When she enters the 9th grade, she meets KEN, the guy who changes everything.

In this sidebar, episodes 6-11 are discussed. At the conclusion of the last sidebar, Shelonda had quite a disdain for Ron. So how, after all of those ill feelings, did they get THERE? In this sidebar, Chinney breaks it down.

Out of school for the summer, Shelonda has lots of time to spend with Ron--which isn't a good thing. Three big things happen by the end of that summer.

Shelonda shows up to school with her new look and makes a big impression. She also makes  a confession that puts her into hot water..

After taking Shelonda out to eat and getting her hair done, Ron continues to win Shelonda over by helping her tackle an issue that she has been facing at school--her attire. That Saturday becomes the beginning of Ron smudging some familial lines--which is confusing, yet comforting to Shelonda. Shelonda is also becoming more annoyed with Mom's antics, a fact that works in Ron's favor.

After the "dance disaster", Ron pacifies Shelonda by deviatiating from the normal Saturday antics to take a trip downtown. It ends up being the best day, in the worst of ways, as it starts to lay the foundation for some things that will alter the course of Shelonda's life. 

After keeping silent about being kissed by Ron in the shack, Shelonda is rewarded with the opportunity to attend a school dance. But the reward becomes problematic when she uncovers the disbenefit of being out of the loop. And as a result, her self esteem takes another hit. 

After Ron learns that he has been given the full-time preaching position at the church, he tells Shelonda that a celebration is in order. But his idea of a celebration leads to more questions than answers, and starts to change the way he is viewed by Shelonda. Also, Shelonda starts to realize that she is harboring some resentment towards Mom.

Welcome to the very first Sidebar With Chinney! Sidebar with Chinney are special bonus episodes that have been created to discuss content related to the Keepsake Box. In these episodes, I'll be giving insight into the content, and maybe even having some special guests! As always, thanks for helping me to create the world that I want to see! 

Although not comfortably, Shelonda has settled into a routine. Realizing that her mom is struggling quite a bit with the pregnancy, she takes on more responsibility around the house. Shelonda is cooking, cleaning, and quickly becoming overwhelmed--which has no effect on anyone else in the household. Meanwhile, Ron becomes more active in the church.

And the changes just keep on coming. Shelonda is already dealing with her mother's relationship, and a sudden move that she is less than enthusiastic about. But things become bigger than mere "discomfort" when she realizes that Ron will be allowed to become her disciplinarian. That, coupled with the fact that she is being punished for expressing discomfort, is the beginning of a problematic situat...

Shelonda has only known a life with her mother and grandmother. And while it has been....problematic in some areas, she has found comfort in the familiarity of it all. But during her 7th grade year of school, Shelonda's mother decides to move them in with her boyfriend--a decision that Shelonda certainly finds no comfort in. Making matters worse, Shelonda is confronted with the understanding that...

Now in full reflection mode, Shelonda goes back to some of her earliest memories. Being raised by a single mother and a single grandmother in the 80's, Shelonda is in the "sit down" era of life. She's subtly being taught that there's "shame" attached to body development. Simultaneously, her family and peers are letting her know that she's not the preferred shade of brown. Very early on, Shelonda i...