by L. Divine
“What’s up with you and the white boy?” he says, getting right to the heart of the matter. One thing I can count on from Rah when he does decide to share is brutal honesty always.
“We’re just friends,” I say, telling the truth though Rah doesn’t look like he’s buying it. He abruptly makes a right turn onto Pacific Coast Highway, causing other drivers to honk their horns at us. Even the bike riders and rollerbladers look crazily at the red Acura Legend flying down the busy street. The windows have limo tint so they can’t see who’s inside but I’m sure because of the appearance of the car and the loud bass rattling the trunk they know two things: the driver is young and male. Guessing he’s black is also a bet they’re probably willing to take.
“Okay black man, act out if you want to. But you know these Redondo Beach cops would love to give your ass a ticket, so keep playing,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and looking out my window. Unwillingly heeding my advice, Rah eases up on the gas pedal and relaxes his grip on the leather steering wheel.
“Don’t tell me you’re just friends, Jayd, when we both know that’s B.S.,” he says. His phone vibrates on the dash, making me jump. “Are you back to kicking it with that punk after he already showed you his true color?” He turns down the phone and throws it back on the dash. He must be really hot to toss the Samsung like that.
“No, Rah, and there’s more to Jeremy than his shortsighted view of my attitude.” I can’t believe I’m defending Jeremy to Rah when I know Rah’s right. I shouldn’t even entertain a friendship with Jeremy but I can’t help it. Just like I can’t explain my attraction and patience for Rah, I can’t explain it with Jeremy either. “He’s my friend and he’s a good person. You’ve hung out with him before and you know I’m telling the truth.”
“No Jayd, I don’t know that. All I know is how he made you feel a couple of weeks ago. Maybe you’re the one who needs reminding of who your real friends are and who’s simply frontin’.” After a few moments of silence Rah’s phone vibrates again and this time he answers the call.
“What’s up, man?” Rah says. “I’m headed back to Jayd’s mom’s house now and then to the pad. Are we still on for tonight’s session?” He must be talking to Nigel, which reminds me I need to holla at Rah about Mickey’s master plan.
“Tell Nigel I said hi.” I reach into my purse and pull out a half-eaten pack of Starburst. I usually eat the pink ones first because they’re my favorite. Back in the day I would take out all the red ones and save them for Rah. But now I eat the whole pack myself without a second thought.
“Alright man. I’ll holla at you tomorrow. You take care of your baby and Jayd says what’s up. Later,” Rah says, hanging up the phone and returning it to the dashboard. “Nigel said ‘what’s up’ and he’ll see us at the session tomorrow. He and Mickey are staying in tonight.” If only Nigel knew it might not be his baby he’s taking care of—that’s where Rah has to come in whether he wants to or not.
“Did you ask Nigel how he knows the baby’s his when Mickey has another man she’s dealing with?” Rah stops at the red light and turns to look me in the eyes. I don’t know what he’s searching for but his look tells me he can’t believe I just asked him that question. I don’t know why he’s so surprised when he knows how the games are played out here.
“I don’t have to ask my nigga nothing like that. Is there a reason I should?” The light turns green and I wonder how far I should go with this conversation. I don’t want to insult Nigel’s intelligence nor Rah’s fragile ego when it comes to his boy, but somebody has to say something before Nellie does. If she spills the baby beans it’ll sound like hating and this is too serious for stupid beef.
“Well, it doesn’t seem smart to claim a baby that might belong to another dude, especially a notorious gangster like Mickey’s man.” I cross my right leg over my left and straighten out my Guess jeans and sweatshirt. It was too chilly to wear my sandals today so I opted for my Nikes, even if they do need cleaning. Mama would kill me if I walked outside with my feet uncovered in this cold air. If I caught a cold I’d never hear the end of it.
“I can’t call it, Jayd,” Rah says. He looks like he’s thought the same thing himself though, and I know I’m on the right track. Maybe he’ll convince Nigel to hold off on happy family plans until a paternity test can be done. “My nigga’s not dumb.”
“I know that, Rah, but he’s not thinking clearly about the entire situation.” Rah looks torn between what he knows is rational and being a good friend. “I know you don’t want to call him out, but what if the baby’s not his and he gets caught up paying child support or even worse, marrying Mickey?”
“Wait a minute,” Rah says, waving his hand like I’ve committed a serious foul. “This is your homegirl you’re talking about. Why would it be so bad if they did raise the baby and get married? That’s a happy ending, ain’t it?”
“Hell no,” I yell so loud the people riding in the car next to us turn around and stare through the top of my cracked window. Rah promptly rolls it up from his driver’s side controls and turns the air on low. “There are no happy endings when friends of mine are being deceived. I’ve known Nigel for much longer and what Mickey’s trying to pull is wrong.” Damn, I let too much slip and suddenly, rather than having an innocent conversation out of concern, I’ve turned it into an act of disclosure.
“What are you talking about, Jayd?” he says turning onto Aviation Boulevard, where we can see the airplanes lined up for takeoff from LAX. I wish I could get on one of those jets right about now. “What’s Mickey trying to pull?”
“Nothing, Rah,” I say, trying to clean up my slip. I’m not going to let Mickey get away with this for too much longer but I also don’t want to be the one to rat her out. It’s a thin line between helping and hating. “I’m just saying that Nigel should get a paternity test for everyone’s sake.”
“You know what it is.” T.I. announces a call and I dig into my purse searching for my cell. I hope my man gets off on those gun charges. Not that I think T.I. should be out buying guns or nothing like that. But my brothas are always getting caught up in one way or another and just like Mike Vick, the haters will blow it out of proportion and try to make him pay well beyond what he deserves.
“Damn, Jayd, you need to clean out your purse,” Rah says as I continue to search for my phone. Before I can get to it, it stops ringing, and luckily too. The call was from Jeremy. I wonder what he wants to talk about now. He saw me leave with Rah and knows how long it takes to get to Inglewood from school, so why would he call knowing I’m still with him?
“I know that smart-ass,” I say, silencing my phone and continuing our talk. “But for real, talk to your boy about it. He has his whole life ahead of him and many more baby mamas in his future, I’m sure,” I say, trying to make Rah laugh and not think too hard about Mickey’s plotting.
“He doesn’t want any more baby mamas, just this one.” He looks at me from the corner of his eye and turns onto Century Boulevard, almost at my mom’s. “Did I ever tell you that Nigel got this girl pregnant last year?” Now that’s news I never heard.
“No, you didn’t but we weren’t exactly talking then, remember?” He and Nigel ended up leaving Family Christian at the same time I left and came to South Bay High. We didn’t rekindle our friendships until Nigel ended up leaving Westingle to come to our school last month, so I’m out of the loop on a lot of things I’m sure.
“Right,” he says, remembering our bitter break-up over two years ago. “Well, the chick decided to have an abortion even after Nigel swore to take care of her and the baby. I think he sees this as a second chance for him.” That explains his attitude toward Mickey and her growing belly. “No matter what girls may think, niggas have feelings too, especially when it comes to our seeds.” I know he and Nigel are good brothas and good father material too.
Rah pulls up in front of my mom’s house and turns off the engine. We both meditate on what he just said. Nigel has it really bad
for Mickey, I know, but this situation isn’t good and it can only get worse the way it’s going.
“What does Tasha think of the new baby?” I ask as we exit the car. Rah grabs my weekend bag from the backseat and I take my backpack and purse from between my feet and step onto the curb.
“She doesn’t know and doesn’t care. Nigel broke up with her already.” Damn, I guess he is serious about making Mickey his only wifey and I bet she thinks she’s hit the jack pot, at least until her man finds out. I’m sure she hasn’t been as forthcoming with her man as Nigel was with his girl.
“I’m tired of this subject and of talking, period,” I say crossing the quiet street toward my mother’s apartment building. I want to take a shower, do my hair, and go to bed. I did promise Rah I’d braid his hair for a set amount of twenty dollars before I settle in for the evening. If I can get five or so steady clients, I can easily make up for my pay at Simply Wholesome, and then some. If Netta lets me work with her, I can make even more money, bringing me that much closer to my transportation freedom.
“You still gone braid my hair though, right,” he says, leaning into me to give me a kiss as I unlock the multiple bolts to my mother’s home, but I’m not in the mood.
“Yes, I am a professional. But don’t think I’ve forgotten about your disappearing act this week or your rude behavior with Jeremy. You need to get over yourself for real, Rah, if we’re going to stay friends.” We enter the small apartment and feel the warmth of the sweet-smelling space welcome us in.
“Well, I guess I’ll be getting over myself then. Won’t I, queen?” Making himself comfortable on the floor while I get settled and get my hair bag from the hall closet, I realize friendships are too valuable to be wasted but are constantly tested. And, like all challenges, I will rise to the occasion, even if that means getting hurt in the process.
After braiding Rah’s hair, we ordered a pizza and kicked it for a little while. I can do my hair tomorrow since I don’t have to work. I might go up to the restaurant and holla at Sarah and Alonzo one of these days—I miss working with them. Rah being here made me forget about how upset I was when I first opened my check, but now it’s time to kick him out. No matter how cool my mom is he can’t be here if and when she decides to come home from her date. We got everything straight but the issue between Nigel and Mickey, which we agree to disagree on.
“Look Jayd, I wish I could explain it but I can’t. When Sandy told me she was pregnant I knew the baby was mine. I don’t know how, but I just knew and she wasn’t innocent either. If he wants to be her baby’s daddy, then let him. It’s none of our business.” I remember having this same discussion with him when he found out he was going to be a daddy. Again Rah tried to keep it from me but Sandy wasn’t having it. She fronted me at lunch in front of the entire school where I was the only one out of the loop. We got down to the root of our problems that day and I didn’t speak to him again until he found me through Nigel. And here we are having the same conversation about our friends.
“It is our business. That’s what friends are for,” I say, playfully pushing him in the arm with my shoulder. Rah responds by holding me down on the couch and tickling me.
“Rah, stop! Let me go,” I yell at him. He eases up and lets me off the couch. “You know it’s time for you to go now, right?” Half of me wants him to stay but the other half knows we need to call it quits for the evening.
“Yeah, it’s about that time I guess,” he says glancing at his watch. “Are you going to walk me down? You know the rats come out at night.” Rah gets up from the couch and stretches his arms over his head, forcing his Ecko T-shirt to rise slightly above his jeans. The thin hairline on his chiseled stomach has always been one of his most attractive features to me.
“What rats? The neighborhood is rough, not dirty.” Rah smiles at me and reaches over my head to grab his jacket off the hook next to mine.
“Not those rats, silly. Hoodrats,” he says, making me laugh. “They can be more dangerous than the real things.” Rah’s right about that. It ain’t nothing like having a broad who’s pretty, fights like a dude, and doesn’t give a damn about no one but herself on your bad side. Everyone has their own definition of a hoodrat, but none of them are good. “So are you going to walk me down or what?”
“Yes if you agree to talk to Nigel,” I say, rising off the couch and passing him up to grab my sweater before opening the front door. It’s getting hot in here and I know it’s not the heater’s fault. The November chill in the air reminds me that I need to invest in a heavier coat but I don’t have any extra cash, even if I did just get paid. This is the wrong time of year to be out of a job.
When we walk outside, Rah leans in for a kiss again and this time I let him. I have missed his soft lips. He picks me up in his muscular arms and kisses me like we’re the only two people in the world. Coming up for air, we look at each other and smile. When I think we’re finally in heaven, a girl’s voice screams from behind us and I’m back in our woman-made hell.
“After all that I’ve been through for your ass you’re still getting your hair braided by this wench,” Trish says, pointing her crutch in my direction. How did she find out where my mom lives? She quickly limps up the driveway with Tasha right by her side. They’re both dressed in black from head to toe, with their Prada handbags to match. I don’t understand how girls who have this much money can be so petty. You can take the girl out of the hood but you can’t take the hood out of the girl, no matter how expensive her wardrobe is.
“Trish, what the hell are you doing here?” Rah says, protectively stepping between us in an attempt to block me from his girl’s anger. I wonder if he did the same thing for her when Sandy was attacking her. Knowing Rah, I’m sure he did his best to keep them both from getting hurt and feels bad he couldn’t do more. “Shouldn’t you be home resting?”
“The real question is how she knew where I lived.” I step around Rah and face Trish eye to eye. I understand how she feels having to deal with Sandy and all. But coming up in my space where she’s not invited is a bit much for me. This snooty broad needs to know she too has limits, especially where I’m concerned.
“Don’t worry about all that,” Trish says. I know she doesn’t want to mess with me but she’s about to get another ass whipping if she doesn’t tone her attitude down. “I told you I don’t want you seeing her anymore and that includes getting your hair braided. I told you my little sister can braid way better than she can,” Trish says, looking at me in disgust. I know she’s not hating on my skills.
“You need to get out of my driveway now before your other leg gets hurt,” I say stepping toward her. Rah tries to block me from attacking her but I’m way too vexed to be held back. Tasha steps in front of Trish to protect her but she’s no match for me either. It’s almost one in the morning and these tricks are on a stakeout over a man. What the hell?
“Trish, have you completely lost your mind?” Rah says. “This isn’t the time for this conversation and you’re way out of line. I can get my hair braided by whoever I want and I told you I’m going to see Jayd, no matter what you say.”
“But I took a beating for your ass. And it looks like y’all are doing much more than braiding.” Trish is too pretty and prissy to be in this mess but like other hoodrats, she can’t help herself. I know Sandy’s crazy ass had to have overwhelmed her. Sandy’s energy is so powerful, she must be the closest thing to a tornado in human form.
“And I’ve kicked Sandy’s ass over him before, so what’s your point?” The mention of Sandy’s name alone makes my head even hotter. If Trish says another word to me, it’s going to be on. Completely ignoring my comment, Trish continues to question Rah.
“I thought you said one of your homeboy’s girls was going to braid you up tonight? How come I was on my way to pick up Tasha from getting her hair braided and I see your car parked around the corner? I know you don’t have any friends on this side of town.” Girls in Trish’s zip code only venture to Inglewood
to get their hair braided or visit dudes they probably shouldn’t be seeing. She looks me up and down like I smell bad. The yellow streetlights provide only a small amount of light but I hope it’s enough for her to see the disdain in my eyes. Did Rah really lie about who’s braiding his hair? That’s not cool with me at all.
“Trish, go home. You’re making a fool of yourself,” Rah says, taking a step toward her. Tasha steps in front of her friend, blocking Rah’s move. Rah looks down at her, knowing if he wanted to move her five-foot-two frame he could, with little effort. He looks over her head at a stone-cold Trish. I don’t know what he ever saw in this girl. Her hair has blond streaks that always need a touch-up, she looks tired and hungry, and she sounds like a dude. But I do have to admit she’s got that Jada Pinkett body going on, which excuses all of her other flaws in a dude’s eyes, I guess.
“Not until you leave first. And Rah, my brother, will be hearing about this.” If her brother weren’t—in a way—Rah’s employer, she wouldn’t have any power over him. I’ll have to get to work on helping him while I study my own potion-making this weekend.
“What the hell do you think I was just doing? Go home. We’ll talk about this later,” he says, looking from me to her. I’ve had enough of this scene and I’m tired. She’s lucky I don’t have to get up for work in the morning. Otherwise her ass would have been really cussed out. As her and her girl hobble back down the driveway, I turn around to walk back upstairs without saying good-night to Rah. How could he lie about me to her? I thought he was supposed to be so up-front and honest with her about us? Come to find out it’s all just another game to him.
“Jayd, wait,” Rah says following after me. But what can he say? Trish’s got him through her brother and I don’t know what I want to do with him. Part of me feels like he brings this madness on his own head and I don’t know if I can make a potion to help him with that.