Lark Telarana

Minerva: a Novel Lark Telarana

MINERVA BLEWETT lives by the Chavezian Theory, based on the ideas of her favorite writer, Denise Chavez: "Be secure with yourself (and your curves); show confidence when dealing with men, for men will come and go." Unfortunately, life for Minerva is not so simple. An educated professional (a high school Remedial Reading teacher and Community College Sociology Instructor), she sometimes doesn't relate to her African-American heritage; instead feeling more of a connection to the Latino community. Estranged from her own family, Minerva wishes to start a family of her own. Minerva regularly contemplates and dissects the broken relationship she has with her parents, and she questions her own ability to be a good mother. This seems even more farfetched because not only is she not in a relationship, but at thirty-five years old, she hasn't accepted her own sexuality. Minerva holds on to her virginity and it becomes her sword and shield to protect herself from her fear of heartache. It also becomes the crutch she leans on when forced to confront her sexual identity. As if things couldn't get any worse, Minerva has fallen in love with her best friend, Diego. His confidence and strikingly handsome features, makes him - to Minerva - the perfect Latino. There is one little setback. Diego is gay. While fighting her own feelings of cultural isolation, Minerva attempts to reach her students as she encourages discourse in her classes on controversial topics from sexuality to racism. Acting as the class facilitator and hand of justice and wisdom, Minerva must come to terms with her insecurities if she is to reach her true potential as an educator, a lover, and a friend.