by L. Divine
“Nice picture, huh?” Before answering, he passes the baby to me and takes my phone, repeating my action.
“Now that’s a nice picture to me.” Before we can relish in the sweetness of the moment any longer the doorbell rings and someone starts knocking loudly. It must be Sandy, here to pick up their daughter. No one else would be that rude this early in the day.
“Damn, she’s early,” Rah says, reluctantly leaving the kitchen to answer the door.
“What the hell took you so long to answer? My nigga’s in the car waiting for us. We’re on our way back to Pomona,” she says without so much as a hello. “And what is that bitch doing holding my baby?” Why is she calling me by her nickname, especially in front of her daughter? “Here baby, look what mommy brought you,” she says, snatching an upset Rahima from my arms and giving her a lollipop for breakfast.
“Why do you have to be so rude, Sandy? We were just about to feed her a real breakfast instead of that crap you’re always giving her,” Rah says, standing next to me.
“Whatever. Where’s her bag and car seat? We have to go,” she says, unwrapping the candy and stuffing it in her daughter’s mouth. Her daughter reluctantly takes it but she looks like she still wants to cry. Sandy’s a poster model for unfit parenting if there ever was one.
“You’re an hour early. I’m not rushing,” Rah says, taking Rahima away from her mother before heading to the back to get her stuff and leaving me and his prodigal baby-mama alone. What the hell? He should know better than that. Sandy props herself against the kitchen counter, crossing one high heel over the other.
“So, are you two having fun playing house with my baby?” Sandy looks like a hooker on a good day and a slut on a bad one. What did Rah ever see in her? What did I ever see in her? After all, she was my friend first.
“Rahima’s his daughter too, or did you forget that magical night under the bleachers three years ago when he was my man?”
“Shut the hell up, Jayd. That’s always been your problem: too much talking and not enough doing. Men like action, or haven’t you noticed?” she says, shifting her weight from one stiletto to the other while crossing her arms over her large breasts. At least she’s got some meat on her bones, unlike Trish.
“Apparently not, because I’m still here and you’re not.”
“I’ll always be here. Remember, I have his baby, Jayd. You couldn’t get rid of me if you wanted to, and I know you’re not giving him any because that’s what Trish is for, or have you conveniently forgotten about her?” If this trick keeps talking to me out the side of her face I’m going to have to slap it back in place.
“I’m not worried about either one of y’all. And unlike the two of you, I have better things to do with my time than run after a dude with my legs wide open.” Sandy shoots me an evil look but she can’t say shit. She’s knows I’m right. I walk past her and into the kitchen to start breakfast. From the looks of his groceries Rah’s making grits, eggs, toast, and turkey bacon. I’ll get started on the grits now because I know he’s real particular about how he likes his eggs scrambled.
“This little sweet act you’ve got going on will only get you so far, Jayd,” Sandy says, following me around the kitchen. “To keep a man you’ll eventually have to take off that chastity belt you’re wearing and let a nigga in.” She sounds just like Rah’s mom. No wonder he’s oddly attracted to her.
“Sandy, if I want your advice I’ll ask for it.” I’m trying to keep a cool head but this trick is making it very hard. Rah left me alone last night with his mom and now this morning with Sandy. Does he want me to slap one of these broads or what?
“No you won’t, but you should take it. Trust, Jayd. The way to get to Rah can’t be found on that stove.”
“Little do you know,” I say, thinking of all the times Rah and I have been in the kitchen together. “Like I said before, I’m still here and you’re not, no matter how loud you get about it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have breakfast to cook before I go to work. You know that place you go to make money for yourself instead of always having your hand out begging? You should try it out someday.”
“Oh I works for mine, sweetie. You best believe it,” she says, looking out of the window and toward the green Ford Explorer parked in the driveway. It looks like it was in an accident recently. I hope they buckle in Rahima correctly.
“Jayd, I told you not to worry about that baby. Her mama’s standing right there. Let her worry about that.”
“Did you hear the crap this girl is talking about? She’s not concerned about her daughter’s well-being, and since I’m here I can’t help but be worried.”
“Jayd, I’m telling you, as sweet as that little girl is, she can bring you an equal amount of pain, just like having a sweet tooth. It seems like a good idea at first to eat the entire value pack of Now and Laters until you get a toothache, which leads to a root canal or maybe even the loss of a tooth. Take it from me, Jayd, and heed my warning. Let the parents parent. You be a friend and nothing more. You have enough responsibility as it is.”
“Where’s Karl? Shouldn’t y’all be enjoying breakfast in bed or something?”
“Who says we’re not?” And with that last visual my mom’s out and I’m back to reality.
“Jayd, what the hell is wrong with you? You still act strange, you know that?”
“Sandy, can’t you wait outside? I’m sure your man is lonely.” Speaking of the devil, he blows his horn impatiently and I know Rah won’t like that at all.
“I know that nigga didn’t just honk at me,” Rah says, walking in from the back of the house and back into the foyer, with Rahima right next to him. He rarely lets her feet touch the ground, but sometimes she insists and I don’t blame her. It’s nice to be able to stand on your own two feet sometimes.
“Well maybe if you hurried your ass up some then he wouldn’t have to honk. I told you we’re in a rush.”
“This is my daughter, not his. You better tell that fool something,” Rah says, looking out of the window at the dude. Now that I have a car I’m still stuck in situations I don’t want to be in. What’s wrong with this picture?
“And I told you your daddy wouldn’t come through, right? So don’t beat yourself up for too long about trusting him. You should be able to depend on him but sometimes life ain’t fair, as I’m sure you know. Just stay on your grind, Jayd, and all will be fine. Focus on you, baby.”
“I thought you were gone,” I say, but I’m glad she’s in my head. I need her to keep me from blowing up. This holiday has sucked entirely, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m ready to go back to school.
“Soon enough, Jayd. I’ll be out of your head when you get the message. You can only control your own actions, and right now all of your movements need to be focused on getting you to where you want to be.” In and out of my dream, my mom’s right. I need to keep it moving and get up out of here as soon as I can. This drama is giving me a headache and ultimately it has nothing to do with me.
“There she goes again,” Sandy says, rolling her eyes at me. “Rah, I don’t want Jayd and her strangeness affecting my daughter.”
“She’s our daughter and you’re the strangest one of all,” he says. I appreciate him defending me, but he shouldn’t talk down about Sandy in front of their daughter. That’s not good at all. Maybe if I remove myself from the situation it’ll be better for everyone and I can start right now. He was cooking breakfast initially and he can finish it. I’ve got to get ready for work. We can still make it by eleven, and that’ll give me a good six hours to make some serious cash.
“I’m going to take a shower and get ready for work. Can you still drop me off?”
“Yeah, and I’ll take a look at your car when I get back. Just leave the keys with me.”
“Car? If you got a car why do you need dropping off?” Why is Sandy all up in my business this morning? We haven’t had this much communication in years and she’s wearing me out. She’s definitely from the sa
me tribe of ashe stealers as my daddy’s folks, I swear.
“Sandy, mind your business. Jayd, I’m going to walk Rahima out,” he says, making it clear to me and Sandy that she’s not a part of his equation, and I know that’s not going to settle well in Sandy’s mind. No matter how many dudes she may roll with, I know in the end she only wants Rah.
I decide to take my time in the shower this morning to make sure the coast is clear of Sandy and her madness. By the time I finish getting ready, Sandy and Rahima are gone and Rah’s on the phone in deep conversation with someone.
“Alright, ma’am. I’ll be sure to get you all of the info on Monday morning. Thanks again,” he says, hanging up.
“Hey, is this for me?” I uncover the warm plate to find a breakfast fit for a queen, complete with orange slices. I love it when he cooks.
“But of course. You need a healthy meal to start your day off right.” Rah steps behind me at the counter and reaches onto the plate, picking up an orange slice and putting it up to my lips for me to take a bite.
“Thank you,” I say, nervously. Whenever he gets too close my body heat rises and this is not the time for it.
“What time you getting off?” Damn, I know he’s going to want to kick it with me tonight if he picks me up from Netta’s, and he’ll be hella suspicious if I say I don’t need a ride.
“I’m not sure yet but I’ll call you when I find out.”
“Yeah, and we have to get your phone switched over so maybe we can do that later, too.” Why is he all of a sudden making definite plans with me for the whole day? What’s really going on?
“Sounds good,” I say, walking back toward the bathroom to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I’m so used to carrying around all of my stuff that it’s second nature to me by now to always do a once-over before leaving wherever I happen to be.
“The attorney said I have a good chance at winning custody, especially with Sandy’s history.” I hope Rah’s right, for everyone’s sake. If my dream is any indication of his reaction to losing Rahima again, I don’t want to be anywhere around if it happens.
“I hope he’s right,” I say.
“But a little backup wouldn’t hurt.”
“Oh no, Rah. I’m not getting involved with this one,” I say. “The last potion I made for you didn’t take, and I’m not trying anything else, especially not for something this serious.”
“Who says it didn’t take? Trish ain’t feeling me like she was, no matter what she says and, well, Sandy’s just crazy so you can’t count her. You have to be patient, baby. Haven’t you learned that by now?”
“No, I guess I haven’t. Well, there is a chocolate brownie recipe that’s supposed to help sway the law in your favor.” I remember seeing it in the spirit book when I was looking for something else. “I just remember it having a lot of brown sugar in it and I know how you hate sweets.”
“If you make it I’ll love it. And you know brown sugar’s my favorite,” he says, turning me around and pulling me in close to him, kissing my lips like only he can.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I say, giving in to his request. Maybe Mama would be willing to help me with this one.
By the time we get to Netta’s Never Nappy Beauty Shop, her usual Saturday clients are already in the washbowl having their heads washed. Mama’s also in the back working on their hair products. When she has a lot to do for the shop, she’d rather make it all here than have to lug the products from our house. She’ll be in and out without Netta’s other clients seeing her, and that’s just how Mama likes it. Christmas and Kwanza wipe our supply of products out every year, and Mama and Netta make a killing on their gift baskets, but I never know exactly how much Mama makes. She keeps her money to herself and I don’t blame her.
“Jayd, the sweetest thing in the world is a baby,” Mama says while I mix together my concoction. I need a new braid spray and this should do the trick. I’m working on the rest of my hair products too, paying special attention to the needs of clients with cornrows. “Especially if you don’t have to deliver it.”
“Now ain’t that the truth,” Netta says, walking in on our conversation. All of her clients are now under the blow-dryers for the next fifteen minutes or so, depending on their style, leaving her free to chat with us. “I loved each of your Mama’s babies when they were babies. That’s when they can do no wrong. But they do grow up, Jayd. And until then, they come with grown-ups of their own when they’re as little this little bottle of sunshine,” Netta says, passing my new phone to Mama and displaying the picture of Rahima and me.
“Netta, what are you doing going through my stuff?” I reach for the phone but when Mama looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, I step back and let them eye my present from Rah.
“Well isn’t this nice,” Mama says, inspecting my new cell like a DEA agent. “And the picture is so sweet.”
“Isn’t it?” Netta takes control of stirring our new hair concoction for the time being. “They make a nice little family, don’t they? Too bad you and Rah are too young to get married.” Not in some states, but I’m not stupid enough to say it out loud and I pray my mother’s not listening.
“This baby is surrounded by a bunch of teenage fools—no offense,” Mama says, looking into my eyes. “Jayd, what did you dream about last night?” Damn, now she can read me when I have dreams too? I think her lock on me has gotten stronger since our shared vision on Christmas Eve. I guess there’s no sense in lying to her.
“I dreamt I lost Rahima to Sandy, and Rah hated me. But I think it was because of something his mom said to me last night.”
“What did she say?” Mama asks.
“She said that sweet girls never win.”
“Oh, that’s not true. It may seem like that initially but truth be told, it’s the sweet girls that win in the end. Bitches wear their asses and everyone else’s out eventually.” Netta’s a trip. She walks to the door and peeks out her head to check on her clients, who are deeply engrossed in their gossip columns and tightly tucked under their dryers.
“Did you say you lost the baby?” Mama’s so observant I think that she’s missed her calling as a CSI agent. With their skills combined, Mama and Netta make a formidable team.
“Yeah. I was falling and Rahima was on my back and Sandy snatched her from me once I hit the ground. I also lost some change, which was weird. I’ve never dreamt about money before.”
“Then that should be your first priority, right, Lynn Mae?” Netta stops stirring the sweet-scented liquid and stares at my grandmother, who’s deep in thought.
“Yes, it should. Anything that stands out as new in your dreams should be paid the most attention to. Have you been saving your money?”
“Aside from the fifteen dollars I have in my purse now, I have a little stashed away for my car.”
“What about in the bank?” I look at Mama and smile.
“Why would I have a bank account?” The only teenagers I know with bank accounts are the rich ones at school, Jeremy of course included. Everyone else uses a sock drawer or piggy bank, like me.
“Girl, what is your mother thinking?” I guess this was a topic of conversation between the two of them some time ago.
“Mmhmm,” Netta says, wiping her hands dry and looking at the clock. It’s time for us to get back to our clients and I’m anxious to make some tips.
“Jayd, your mother was supposed to teach you how to manage your money properly and open you an account by the time you were fifteen. It’s taboo for a child of Oshune to be frivolous with her money. And now that you have money coming in you have no time to waste.” Mama hands me my phone and takes over mixing the hair spray I thought up. “We’ll talk about Rah later. Right now we have to finish our work and then you and I are going straight to the bank. Lucky for you they don’t close until five and the bank manager’s a client of mine. You’re opening an account today before the sun sets.”
“Mama, can we do this tomorrow? I have plans tonight.” Which reminds me,
I need to send Rah a text saying I won’t be able to hang out tonight. I take my old cell out of my pocket and quickly send Rah the message.
“Jayd, you’ll go around taking care of other people’s needs before protecting your own interests. And as sweet as that sounds in theory, it’s not a very smart move in reality.” Well, I guess I’m going to the bank with Mama. Now I really don’t know how I’m getting back to Inglewood tonight. Maybe Jeremy will be up for coming to get me from Mama’s now that he’s been all the way to my house, although I don’t want to make a habit of intertwining my neighborhood business and school business.
After the last client leaves seven hours later, we clean up and get ready to roll to the bank. Too bad my car’s not here. I would’ve driven Mama and me up the road, but she probably wouldn’t have gotten in the car with me anyway.
“You two better go on and get. You’ve only got ten minutes before the bank closes and it’ll take you at least that long to get there on foot,” Netta says.
“I’m just glad they opened that new branch off of Long Beach Boulevard. Before that I had to go all the way to South Bay to go to the bank,” Mama says.
“Well, you know how they are about our money. They want it but will be damned if they make it convenient for us to give it to them.” Netta and Mama have been complaining about that fact of black life for a long time. In Redondo Beach, there’s a bank or teller machine on damn-near every corner. In Compton and Inglewood there’s a check-cashing place on every corner. But some banks are getting better about having multiple branches in our hoods.
“Alright, Netta. Jayd will make it up to you tomorrow, won’t you, baby?” Mama winks at me and walks toward the front door, purse and coat in hand. I guess I’m moving too slow for her. I see she’s serious about me getting my money in the bank. I’ve got to read about this taboo in my lessons. There are so many stories about Oshune’s various taboos that I can barely keep up with them, just like the rules of being a priestess. They have no real order; just the one Mama gives them. And I never remember what that is.