Frenemies

by L. Divine

  “Good morning,” I say as Sarah and Alonzo join us, ready to start the day. Supreme, the opener for the store, is already in the back taking inventory. We’re ready to get it cracking. I’m going to call Jeremy at lunch just to see what’s up with him. It sucks that we won’t have time to kick it today. I really do miss our extended coffeeshop talks or just hanging out with him. I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to see him. He’s supposed to pick me up from my mom’s and take me to his house for dinner, but we’ll see. It’ll be the first time he takes me all the way home to Mama’s house.

  After this morning’s surprise call from Rah, I’ve been wondering if I should just go on and go to the session tonight. I can probably get a ride from Nigel or Mickey, if I really want to. But right now I want to talk to my man while I still have some time left on my lunch. Before I can dial, the phone rings, signaling a call from my dad. Here we go.

  “Hey, Daddy,” I say in a voice that lets him know I’m glad he’s alive and now we can hang up.

  “Hey, Jayd,” he says, sounding almost the same. At least the feeling’s mutual. I know I’m his least favorite kid because I’m different in his eyes. And he hates the fact that I show more loyalty to my mother’s folks than his. But what else am I supposed to do? I’ve lived with them all my life because my parents can’t get it together, and he’s the main reason why. I’m sure we could use some sort of counseling or something, but it’s not just anger. We’d need a whole exorcism to get rid of these family demons.

  “What’s up, Daddy? I’m just clocking in to work,” I say, literally taking my time card and punching it in. I put my wannabe-Coach bag under the register and grab my apron from the wall before washing my hands in the sink.

  “Yeah, I forgot today was a workday for you. Listen, did you still want to take driving lessons?” he says, like we just had this conversation yesterday. I asked him if he would pay for those lessons when I turned sixteen in March, and that was months ago. What the hell?

  “Uh, yeah. That was what I wanted for my sixteenth birthday present,” I remind him. “I thought you forgot.”

  “Nah, I didn’t forget. And you need to mind your sass, little girl,” he says, making me roll my eyes. I can’t wait until I don’t need money from my parents anymore. I wish I could start my own business now and just support myself. I’d move out of Mama’s, get my own spot and just work and go to school. That would be heaven. But who am I kidding? Mama will never let me move now. “Well, I set it up for the next month through the company I used to work for. So give them a call and give them your schedule,” he says, taking me off guard. That’s my daddy though. And, also like him, I’m sure there’s a price to be paid.

  “Why now? What’s the catch?” I say, suspicious of his good deeds, as usual. Mama taught me well.

  “Well, I just want you to get your license, that’s all. Then maybe we could see a little more of you over here.” I knew it. He wants to be able to tell his family he’s a great dad and that I owe him my driving freedom because he paid for it. I know it. But, whatever. If it’ll get me off the bus and keep me from being dependant on others for my ride, then so be it.

  “Cool. Thanks,” I say, trying to sound appreciative. “If you could just leave the info on my voice mail, I’ll call when I get off.”

  “Why can’t you write it down now?” he says, conveniently forgetting I’m at work, even if I am on my lunch.

  “Because I don’t have a pen right now,” I say, telling the truth. And, this barbecue veggie burger is too messy and damned good for me to stop eating and write anything.

  “Okay, Jayd. But you’re getting too spoiled,” he says before hanging up. I wish that were the case. If my dad only knew all the shit I do on a daily basis. And then I work all weekend, too. If this is spoiled, then I’d rather be ripe. I think I’ll call Rah for that ride after all.

  “Jayd, you plan on working today?” Marty says, ruining my whole vibe. Why does she have to sweat me so hard? They’re aren’t even any customers right now, and I still have five minutes left before clocking back in.

  “Yes, when it’s my time to work,” I say, returning to making my quick phone call to Rah.

  “Jayd,” she says, leaning up against the unstable metal table, making my smoothie tilt slightly, dripping on its side. “You’re going to have to learn to work as a team if you want to grow here.” Is this trick serious? Like it’s my life’s aspiration to be a cashier—please. Both Summer and Shahid want us all to rise above the norm.

  “Look, maybe this is the job you prayed for when you were a little girl,” I say, picking up the napkin next to my cup and wiping up her mess. “But not me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still have four more minutes left, and I have another call to make.” I push Rah’s name on my phone, ignoring Marty completely. She has no choice but to leave me alone now, or so I think.

  “We’re going to have to talk more about your attitude, Jayd,” she says, finally walking away and giving me some privacy. Damn, she makes my butt itch.

  “Jayd, what’s cracking?” Rah says, sounding like I woke him from a good nap.

  “I’m sorry. I was just taking you up on your offer, but if you’re asleep, it’s all good,” I say, feeling bad for calling. I know he’s a nocturnal being.

  “Nah, girl. I just dozed off for a sec,” he says. “Yeah, I got you, girl. Call me right before you get off and I’ll be there.”

  “Thanks, boo. Now get back to sleep,” I say. I’m so thankful Rah’s back in my life, even if we can be only friends. The thing about staying friends is that there’s no danger in crossing over to the other side of love: hate. I never felt both emotions so strong until I met Rah. Besides, they say the grass is always greener, or in this case, the water’s bluer on the other side. But I don’t know. If Rah didn’t have a girlfriend and I wasn’t with Jeremy, who knows where we’d be.

  “Yeah, I’ll see you later, shawty. Peace,” he says, hanging up the phone. Now I have to get back to work. I can’t wait until my shift is over in a few hours so I can see Rah. It feels like it’s been forever. I hope he’s doesn’t try to kiss me again. I’ll try to resist, but I can’t make any promises.

  As I walk back into the restaurant, the line is very long, and Sarah looks like she’s about to snap. That’s Simply Wholesome. It’s never without customers for long, and that’s also what makes the day go by fast. Hopefully it’ll stay busy until I get off at five. That way, Marty won’t have a chance to get on me for stupid crap, and I won’t have a chance to think about Rah kissing me again.

  It’s a quarter to five, and I already sent Rah a text saying it’s time to wake up and get here soon. The rest of the day flew by, thank God. And now I’m ready to shower and chill for a while.

  “Jayd, can I speak to you for a minute?” Summer says. Shahid’s already gone for the day, and Summer’s on her way out with me. Alonzo and Sarah got off an hour ago.

  “Sure, Summer. Let me just grab my purse,” I say, removing my apron and hanging it back on the hook next to the time clock before following her into the small office between the restaurant and the store. I take a seat in the chair next to hers across from the desk.

  “Jayd, Marty says you have a problem with insubordination,” Summer begins. “And being that she’s your supervisor, you’re going to have to start showing her a little respect.”

  “Summer, I’ve been working here for over a year. Have I ever caused any problems?” I say, feeling my temperature rise. If it’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a trick starting some mess that could affect my money. I can’t afford those kinds of games.

  “No, Jayd, and we love you,” she says, speaking for both herself and Shahid. “But Marty’s going to be taking over the weekend shifts for us. We’ll still open, but she’ll come in at lunch and finish the day. So you’re going to have to find a way to get along with her,” she says, giving me a hug. “Just make it easy for yourself, girl. You don’t have to fight every battle.” As she releases my vexed frame,
my phone vibrates. It’s Rah saying he’s here.

  “Can I go now?” I say. I’m not really mad at her, just fed up for the day.

  “Sure sweetie,” Summer says, rising to leave the office with me. “See you in the morning.” Don’t remind me. I’m starting to hate this gig.

  As I walk outside, the warm evening air caresses my cheeks like a soft shawl. It feels good to be off and to have a ride home. My feet are barking, and I could use some loud music with lots of bass to get my troubles off my mind. The red Acura Legend’s speakers are blaring Alicia Keys and Cham’s “Ghetto Story,” calling me to be healed. Reggae always does the trick for me. I might have to make this my new ring tone. Or just use it as a personal one for Rah.

  “What’s up, Jayd?” Kamal says, jumping out of the passenger’s seat to get in the back.

  “Hey, boo,” I say, giving Kamal a bear hug before he squeezes into the backseat. I flip the passenger’s seat back up.

  “How was work?” Rah says, securing my chair before I sit down; I fully absorb the new-car-scented tree and listen to the music. I feel on top of the world right now.

  “Work,” I say, not wanting to bring myself down. “How was sleep?” I cut my eyes at him. He looks so good in his red Phat Farm polo shirt and jeans with his silver chain blinging against his chocolate skin. If it weren’t for his Muslim upbringing, he would probably be sporting platinum and diamonds like everyone else. But Rah’s father raised him to be more humble than that.

  “Sleep,” he says. “I wanted to know, if you had time, could you hook a brotha up with some braids?” He rubs his hands through his untamed Afro. “I told them we’re starting the session at eight. So that gives us a few hours to chill before.”

  “Yeah, but it’s going to cost you,” I say, locking my fingers in his thick hair and gently rubbing his head.

  “What?” Rah says, turning down the volume slightly to hear my price. He looks like he’s enjoying the impromptu massage. Mama likes the way I rub her hair when I braid it, too. She taught me that trick. It stimulates the scalp and relaxes the client before you start pulling the braids into place.

  “Y’all will have to wait while I change. I’ve been working all day, and I need a quick shower,” I say as we pull away from my job, heading toward Inglewood. The sun’s beginning to set, and all the freshly washed cars on the streets are starting to glisten.

  “No problem, Queen Jayd,” Rah says, giving me a sly wink. “What happened to your arm?” The burn’s physical mark is almost gone. But the psychological pain is still with me.

  “I had a dream,” I say, removing my hand from his head and staring out my window, allowing the bass to massage my forehead.

  “Oh,” Rah says, not pushing me further. There’s no need to; he already has a vivid idea of what I’m going through. He’s always been so patient and understanding, almost making me forget how much he hurt me back in the day. But he’s always been a good friend.

  After a quick shower and change, Rah takes us back to his house for our braid session before the real one begins. I miss braiding his soft hair. It shines like granite with the coconut oil Mama and I made some time ago. I love the way it smells, and it’s the perfect texture for braiding. I use it for my cornrows all the time.

  “I miss being in between your legs,” he says, being a little too descriptive for me.

  “Shut up, fool. Why you gotta be nasty about it?” I say, smacking Rah in the head and making him laugh. But he can feel I miss braiding his hair, too.

  “Rah, Trish is here,” Kamal says. Before Rah can get up, Trish is through the door with Nigel’s girlfriend, Tasha, right behind her. I saw a picture of all them together in last year’s yearbook.

  “What’s up, Jayd?” Trish says, sounding hella faded. She smells like she’s been drinking all day, and she’s got a blunt in her hand. This can’t be good. It’s almost eight, and Mickey and Nigel should be rolling up soon, adding more shit to the mix. I need to call and warn Mickey.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Rah says, answering for me. “I told you I was busy tonight, Trish.” He doesn’t move from his cozy spot on the floor, his now completely cornrowed head between my thighs. I know these bourgie-ass girls don’t know how to braid.

  “I came to see what was so important you couldn’t pick me up from my nail appointment. And now I know,” Trish says, flinging her long, curly black hair over her shoulder and giving me hella attitude. Why are there heffas everywhere I go?

  “Jayd’s braiding my hair before the session. So what?” Rah says. One thing about Rah is that he never breaks his cool. Getting caught ain’t no big deal to him, because he rarely gets caught in a full lie. He’s a professional at evading the truth without incriminating himself. Speaking of criminal activity, I need to warn Mickey before she and Nigel walk in, setting Trish and Tasha completely off.

  “What’s the big deal?” Trish says, raising her drunken voice, making Kamal run for cover. I guess he’s used to her going off. She actually reminds me a lot of Rah’s mom, who’s rarely here. “The big deal is this bitch is your ex-girlfriend, and I’m tired of seeing her ghetto ass over here, that’s what.” Oh, no, this bitch didn’t just call me a bitch.

  “Why you gotta go there, Trish? Jayd, I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere,” he says, pointing toward the back door and marching Trish out of the studio with Tasha right behind her before I have a chance to go off. It’s probably for the best. How can I get out of here now? Let me call Mickey. But before I can dial her number, the commotion outside gets louder. I have to see what’s going on.

  “What are y’all doing here together?” Tasha says to a stunned Nigel and Mickey, who are walking up the front porch as we are all headed out. Aw, hell, no. It’s about to be on, and I still have oil on my hands. I can’t get my earrings off like this. I need to think fast. I don’t feel like being in a fight with these tipsy broads right now. It wouldn’t be fair. And if I ever do whip Trish’s ass, I want her to know it was an even win.

  “Mickey, girl, thank you for picking me up,” I say, even though Mickey looks like she’s ready to throw down. Nigel’s got my girl sprung. I know her man’s getting suspicious. “They need to get started on the session. You’re just in time,” I say, passing up Rah, Trish and Tasha to grab Mickey’s arm and head back down the driveway. “Rah, I’ll get my twenty dollars next time. Peace, Nigel,” I say, leading us toward the car. Everyone’s shell-shocked at how I’m handling the tense situation. But I just don’t have time for all this. I’d rather be at home getting some work done if the session’s not going to be productive. And Mickey’s the one who’ll have to get me there.

  “Jayd, what are you doing?” Mickey whispers, walking quickly beside me toward the pink Regal parked next to the curb. “We can take those skanks.”

  “That’s not the point,” I say, opening the passenger’s door and getting in. “This isn’t our battle.” I look over my shoulder at the scene through her tinted windows. Everyone’s going back inside except for Rah, who turns around and catches my eye. As we pull off, he mouths “call me” and looks regretful as he turns around to go back inside and deal with his drama.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Mickey says, instinctively turning her car toward Compton. Noticing her arm glistening, she takes a napkin out of her armrest to wipe it off. “And what’s that on your hands?”

  “Coconut oil. I’m sorry I got it on your arm, but you can rub it in like lotion. It won’t hurt you,” I say, laughing at her silly self.

  “I already have some on, and it’s making my skin tingle,” she says, now looking for another napkin in her pink fur-covered glove compartment. Her man had her classic Regal hooked up earlier this year for her sixteenth birthday. “I won’t ask what you and Rah were using it for,” she says, taking the crumpled napkins and frantically wiping her skin.

  “Shut up. I have a man and a date tomorrow. I’m not trying to get too caught up with Rah, unlike you and Nigel, who don’t se
em to care that you each have significant others.”

  “Well, I think you need to think more about that plan,” Mickey says, completely ignoring my moral warning. “Rah seems to really dig you, Jayd. And he’s much finer than Jeremy.”

  “Girl, can you please just take me back to my mom’s and stop trying to lure me over to the dark side?” Where’s Nellie’s uptight ass when I need her? “I need to study,” I say, choosing to ignore the phone calls and text messages coming in from Rah. Mickey’s phone is ringing, too. I guess the chicken heads have now left the building and it’s safe to return. But this little queen’s done for the night. I want info from Jeremy, and I need rest to be as sweet as it’s going to require for me to get it.

  “What? You don’t want to go back?” she says, immediately turning the car back around.

  “No. I have a lot of work to do, and I’m tired from working all day. Besides, what’s to stop Tasha and Trish from coming back? I’m not in the mood for all this mess tonight, Mickey. Please take me back to Inglewood,” I say, sending Rah a similar message. I just want to go home, study my lessons and maybe eat some chocolate Nutter Butters, if my mom left me any in the refrigerator. I just want to chill and focus on making Jeremy tell me the whole truth and nothing but the truth tomorrow. Everything else will have to wait.

  5

  Revelations

  “Though my eyes saw the deception/

  My heart wouldn’t let me learn.”

  —FUGEES

  I don’t like walking home in my mom’s neighborhood. I feel more exposed with all the apartments around here. I told Jeremy he could pick me up from here an hour after I got off work, which was thirty minutes ago. I need to change out of my work clothes, and I didn’t want him to wait with my mom. She’s liable to grill him again, and I don’t need him tense, not today. Besides, I don’t think he’s all that comfortable over here, unlike Rah. Too bad my mom wasn’t home when he and Kamal came by yesterday. I’m sure they have some catching up to do.