Auntie Cleo (she/her) lives on the southern coast, about a 3 hour drive from Edentown. She always has a small bottle of Palmer’s coconut lotion in the depths of her purse–her skin glows with coconut nutrients. She is the sister-in-law to Jo and Mary, long since divorced from Jo’s brother but her love so deep for the holy family, you can’t keep her away…nor do you want to. She is true chosen family.
Her laugh travels all the way from her hips, thick and rooted…a current of mirth. Terrible gift giver (always remembers your birthday…a week late) but excellent listener. Spends most of her time lounging when visiting…doesn’t worry about taking up space or not helping with meals, simply wants to be with you, connect with you, make you feel at ease.
Loves her nibbling Jesus SO MUCH. Calls them every Friday to catch up on the latest hot gos, celebrate their growing business and nosily inquire about their romantic life. They spend most of the calls laughing, and both of them feel brighter, more alive and full after hanging up. They are each other’s biggest fans.
She is tall—like, 6ft tall. Her hair is usually in braids, lots of times piled on top of her head in a bun. She wears bright, clashing colors, both on her body and on her face. Lots of patterned jumpsuits, purple eyeliners, maxi dresses, feather earrings, orange lipsticks and oversized blazers. She has never remarried, but loves to go on dates. Her latest sexual identity is “everyone everywhere all at once” (huge fan of Stephanie Hsu). She is a Gemini sun, Cancer moon, and Leo rising.
“She is the most free person I have ever met,” Jo says to Mary after a recent Cleo visit, wiping orange lipstick from his cheek.
“And the messiest,” notes Mary slightly exasperated, mostly charmed, as she swipes lollipop wrappers from the family room coffee table into a trash bag.
In their bedroom, Jesus is busy on their laptop, typing up this week’s “Jesus Died for our Fash-sins” blog post:
“Hey Fash-sinners! Welcome back to another post about all things STYLE. This week, Imma gush about one of my fashion–and life–icons…my Auntie Cleo. The purple DENIM jumpsuit she wore this week, oh my gosh let me tell you…”
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