It's a Curl Thing

by Jacquelin Thomas

  No regrets.

  “I can go to church with you on Sunday,” Traven announces. “I told my boss that I needed that day off.”

  I smile. “That’s great. You still have to go with me to Bible study, too. Remember, you promised.”

  He laughs. “I didn’t promise that I’d go. I did say that I’d check it out.”

  “You better be glad I don’t have time to argue with you. I’ll see you at seven.”

  My break’s almost over, so I sprint back to the salon to finish the rest of my workday.

  When I walk outside again, Traven is waiting on me.

  “How was your day?” he asks as we’re driving down Sunset Boulevard.

  “Fine,” I respond.

  He reaches over and takes my hand.

  I’m so looking forward to our date this evening. I already know what I’m wearing tonight. I found this beautiful teal-and-purple dress that I’m going to wear over my skinny jeans. I have a pair of leather ballet slippers with teal and purple rhinestones that will go perfectly with my outfit.

  I run my fingers through my hair, noting the need to get a retouch in another week. It’s growing fast, and I can see that it’s getting longer. I’m getting braids for the summer, so by fall my hair should be even longer. Not as long as it was, but I should be able to have a real decent ponytail, and not the Doberman pinscher one I’ve been wearing on bad hair days.

  Traven drops me off at my house.

  “Auntie Mo, can I go out with Traven tonight?” I ask as soon as I walk through the front door. “We’re just planning to grab some burgers and then see a movie.”

  She smiles. “That’s fine, sweetie. I’m going over to your sister’s place so that she can do my hair.”

  “Just don’t let Tameka put a pair of scissors in your head or trust her to do any color—you’ll be fine.”

  “Rhyann, let it go, baby. Relax and release…” Auntie Mo advises. “C’mon. Relax and release.”

  Laughing, I trek off to my room, my heels making a steady rhythm across the hardwood floors.

  I have a hot date tonight.

  Chapter 18

  When Ann Goldberg misses a second hair appointment a week later, Miss Marilee and I are both worried that something is wrong.

  “So you haven’t heard anything from Mrs. G?” I ask.

  “I haven’t,” she responds. “I tried to call her earlier. I didn’t get an answer, so I just left a message,” Miss Marilee tells me. “I’ll try her again in a few minutes.”

  She walks out to the reception area to pick up her client. After a brief meeting, she calls me over.

  “Would you take Macy to the shampoo bowl, please? Use the Alterna White Truffle shampoo and conditioner.”

  I escort the client back while Miss Marilee walks over to a nearby telephone and begins dialing.

  “This is Marilee at the Crowning Glory Hair Salon,” I hear her say. “Mrs. Goldberg had an appointment today, and since she missed the one last week, too, I thought I’d call and check on her.”

  I wait anxiously for her to get off the phone. I hope Mrs. Goldberg is okay.

  “I just spoke to Ann’s husband,” Miss Marilee announces. “She’s not been feeling well.”

  “I had a feeling she was sick,” I say. “I know how she is about that hair of hers. She likes to have it on point every week.”

  Miss Marilee agrees. “Her husband says that she should be here next week for her regular appointment.”

  “That’s good. I’ll pick her up some See’s candies, since she’s always bringing us some.”

  Miss Marilee smiles fondly at me. “I’m sure she’s going to love that, Rhyann. You are such a thoughtful person. I love the basket of fruit you bought me yesterday.”

  Now I’m the one who smiles. “I know how much you like fruit, and people are always eating yours up, so I wanted to bring you some more. Besides, I was the one that ate up all the strawberries.”

  Miss Marilee chuckles. “Honey, it’s okay. I don’t just bring stuff in here for me. It’s for all of us.”

  “I know you feed the homeless, too,” I say. “Mimi told me that you even volunteer on Mondays at a homeless shelter.”

  “I want to help in any way I can,” she responds. “Every now and then people just need to know that somebody cares about them.”

  I agree. “My aunt always says that we’re supposed to give people their flowers while they can smell them. I didn’t get it at first, but I do now. It’s important to let people know how much you care about them while they’re alive. It doesn’t matter much once they die.”

  “You’re really worried about that lady, aren’t you?” Phillip asks when he comes into my bedroom. “I heard you talking to Auntie Mo about her.”

  “You need to stop listening to other folk’s conversations.” I pull two shirts out of my closet, trying to figure out which one to wear. I have Bible study in an hour.

  “She’s gonna be all’ight, Rhyann. I said a prayer for her.”

  I give Phillip a bear hug. “You are such a sweetheart. Thank you.”

  My phone rings. I smile when I see Traven’s name on the caller ID.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “What’s up, Traven?”

  “Nothing much. Just wanted to check on the girl of my dreams. I know you’re going to your Bible study. Rhyann, I hope you know how much you mean to me. I really like spending time with you.”

  “Why is it you know exactly what I need to hear?” I ask. “I’m okay, but I found out that a friend of mine hasn’t been feeling well. I’m worried about her. But anyway, how was your day?”

  “It was okay,” he responds. “Would’ve been better if I could’ve spent it with you.”

  “I feel the same way. However, we both had to work.”

  “I’m working the rest of this week, but I’m off Monday and Tuesday of next week. Do you have any plans?” Traven inquires.

  A slight frown touches my lips. “My best friend is coming back, so we’re sorta planning on hanging out.”

  “You’re talking about Divine?”

  “Yeah. You know that she and her cousin usually spend part of their summer vacation in Cali.”

  “That’s why I used to hardly see you when school was out.”

  “Nope,” I correct him. “You never saw me because you were usually working. You’ve been working from the time you started high school to now.”

  “That’s true,” he acknowledges with a chuckle. “I got to make that paper, you know.”

  “I understand,” I say. “I have a job now, so I know it’s gonna put a kink into my summer plans, but I need to start saving what I can for college.”

  “With your grades, I don’t think you’re gonna have any problems getting money for college.”

  “I hope not,” I say.

  “You won’t,” Traven reassures me. “Well, let’s try and do something Friday night, okay? I know you want to spend time with your girl, but we don’t have much time before I have to leave for college.”

  “I know. Traven, we’re gonna work this out.”

  “I’m not pressed. I waited this long for you.”

  I flash a grin. “I’m so worth it, Traven.”

  We receive a phone call from Mr. Goldberg a couple of days later.

  I can tell from the part of the conversation I can hear that he’s thanking Miss Marilee for the flowers we sent. At first she’s all smiles, but when her expression changes, I feel deep in my gut that something’s not right with Mrs. Goldberg.

  “That won’t be a problem at all,” she says. “I’d be more than happy to come out to the house to wash and style Ann’s hair. It might help her feel better.”

  Miss Marilee hangs up the phone, deeply concerned. “Ann is very sick. She’s not well enough to come to the shop, so I’m going to make home visits on Saturday mornings.”

  “I want to go with you,” I tell her. “She’s my friend, and I’d like to see her.” I�
��m trying to read the message on Miss Marilee’s face, and it doesn’t look good. “I know something is wrong with Mrs. Goldberg. I can feel it.”

  Her voice drops nearly to a whisper. “Rhyann, she has an inoperable tumor on her brain. Apparently she’s had it for a while.”

  Her words hit me hard.

  “Is she going to die?” The words pop out of my mouth before I can stop them.

  “She’s terminally ill,” Miss Marilee responds quietly. “It’s too far gone. Ann was never one for going to the doctor like she should. I told her to get herself checked out when she started complaining of headaches.”

  “I told her that, too, but Mrs. G said she didn’t like going to the doctor. She said she always felt worse after seeing one.”

  Miss Marilee hugs me. “Don’t worry, Rhyann. We are going to keep Ann lifted up in prayer. God can turn things around in an instant.”

  “I know, but there are times when He doesn’t do a thing. He didn’t save my mama.” I pull away, feeling very sad. “I like Mrs. G. I don’t want anything to happen to her.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “I don’t want her to die.”

  Miss Marilee gently wipes my face. “Why don’t you go on home?”

  I shake my head. “Miss Marilee, I have a job to do. I’m not gonna let my personal pain interfere with what I’m supposed to do here at the salon.”

  “I appreciate your professionalism, Rhyann.”

  “I’m going to get back to work,” I say, seizing the idea. “Maybe if I stay busy…”

  She nods in understanding.

  “That’s probably why she was having all those headaches and why she couldn’t remember stuff.”

  “Most likely,” Miss Marilee agrees. She starts for the door of the office.

  “Can I be alone for a minute?” I ask. “I want to say a prayer for Mrs. G.”

  “Rhyann, take as much time as you need.”

  When Miss Marilee is gone, I raise my eyes upward. “Father God, I really have a big favor to ask….”

  Chapter 19

  Saturday morning, Miss Marilee picks me up and we drive to the Brentwood area, where Mrs. G lives.

  Mr. Goldberg greets us warmly, then takes us upstairs to the master bedroom. This is my first time meeting him, but he acts like he’s known me forever.

  Even in her weakened state, with her complexion pale, her hair color fading, and her edges graying, an undeniable spark of light fills Ann Goldberg’s eyes. “What a pleasant surprise. I’m so happy to see you and Marilee.” She reaches up and touches her hair. “I guess my husband decided it was time to do something about this stuff on my head.”

  “Mrs. G,” I say. “Your boo is really nice.”

  “Oh, is that what he is?” she asks. “I’ve been calling him a husband all this time. I didn’t know I had a boo.” She glances over at Miss Marilee and winks. “We perish for a lack of knowledge. You know, it used to have a different meaning when I was younger.”

  She can be so funny at times.

  I head over to her bedside. “How are you feeling?” I can’t believe how much weight she’s lost. Mrs. Goldberg didn’t have a lot of weight to start with. Despite her outward appearance, she’s still so full of life, and she definitely hasn’t lost her sense of humor.

  “Well, ladies, I need you to make me fierce, as Rhyann likes to say. I want to keep my boo interested.”

  “Okay, Mrs. G. That’s way too much information for me. Pull it back.”

  She laughs—not her usual throaty laugh but a laugh just the same.

  “I’ve missed you, Mrs. G.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.” She pats an empty spot on the bed. “Rhyann, come here and sit down. We have a lot of catching up to do. How are you and that boy…Traven, right?”

  I break into a smile. “He and I are a couple now, but we’re taking it really, really slow. He’s leaving in August for N.C. State.”

  She gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Good for you, dear. You’re a very smart girl and you’re going to make one heck of a lawyer one day.”

  “I hope so, Mrs. G.”

  “You will,” she assures me. “I know so. I only wish I was going to be around to see it come to pass.”

  I feel a dull ache in the pit of my stomach. “Please don’t talk like that, Mrs. G. You’re going to—”

  She cuts me off by saying, “Rhyann, it’s okay. I’m ready.”

  I shake my head. “But I’m not ready for you to go anywhere, so you might as well get that thought out of your head. I like having you around.”

  “You’re so sweet for saying that.”

  “I mean it. Mrs. G, don’t you stop fighting. We need you here with us.”

  “That’s what my mother told me earlier.”

  “You should listen to her.”

  Miss Marilee helps her sit up in bed so that we can use a no-rinse shampoo to wash her hair. I’d never heard of this until I started working at Crowning Glory. I couldn’t imagine washing your hair without water, but it’s pretty simple.

  Miss Marilee applies the shampoo on Mrs. Goldberg’s hair, working it through with her fingers. When it starts to foam, she tells me, “Now gently wipe it out, Rhyann.”

  When her hair is clean, Miss Marilee brushes it toward the back, where she makes a neat bun and secures it with hairpins.

  Mrs. Goldberg gives me a smile, but it disappears as quickly as it came. I can see that she is getting tired. “I feel so much better,” she says. “Thank you both.”

  “We’re going to leave and let you get some rest,” Miss Marilee tells her. “It’s so good to see you, Ann.”

  I’m not ready to leave, but I know better than to argue. Besides, Mrs. G looks like she’s already fallen asleep.

  “I didn’t expect to see her looking like that,” I say when we are back in the car.

  “I have to admit that her appearance threw me as well,” Miss Marilee confesses. We pass the whole car ride in silence. When I get out, we both try to smile but fail miserably.

  When I go inside, I find Auntie Mo in the family room with Tameka, who looks like she’s been crying.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  “I just broke up with Roberto,” she announces. “For good.”

  “Uh-huh,” I remark skeptically. In a way, though, I’m glad to have this stupid drama. It takes my mind off the real tragedy.

  “I mean it this time.”

  Both Auntie Mo and I look at her as if we’ve heard it all before.

  “Some tramp came down to the school today looking for me,” Tameka explains. “She tells me that she and Roberto have been together for five years and that they have three children together. Then she tells me that they’re getting married. She even showed me a ring.”

  Talk about drama!

  “I told you that man was no good,” Auntie Mo says. “I had a feeling he had a family somewhere. I told you that he acts like a married man.”

  Tameka starts to cry.

  Auntie Mo tries to comfort her.

  I make sure my sister’s okay before I head to my bedroom. I don’t have any words of wisdom for Tameka. I don’t really know what to say except kick the jerk to the curb and move on.

  Traven arrives at seven to pick me up.

  “I like the braids,” he says as we head outside to his car.

  “Thank you,” I murmur when he opens the car door for me. Traven makes sure I’m secured inside before walking around to the driver’s side.

  “This is my summer hairstyle,” I announce when he joins me in the car. “Since I plan on spending as much time as I can in a pool or on the beach, I wanted something low-maintenance.”

  “Speaking of the beach, my cousin is hosting a beach party next weekend. Do you and your friends want to go?”

  “Yeah, we do. Are we gonna need tickets or anything?”

  “I’ll get you some invitations. How many do you need? It’s two people per invite.”

  “Can I have three of them?” I ask.

  “That
’s fine. I’ll drop them off to you tomorrow evening.”

  When we reach the move theater, Traven parks the car and we get out. Lines are already beginning to form, so we walk briskly.

  “This is the way it’s supposed to be,” he whispers while we are waiting to purchase our tickets. “The two of us together like this.”

  “I know,” I respond, squeezing his hand tightly. “I feel the same way. This feels right.”

  I check my watch for the fifth time in a half hour. Divine and Alyssa’s plane should be landing any moment, and I am so excited. I still don’t get why Dee loves living in Georgia so much, but it doesn’t matter—she’s going to be here for the entire summer. We’ve already made plans to spend the coming weekend at Mimi’s house.

  “We’re here,” Divine announces when I answer my phone forty-five minutes later.

  I break into a grin. “It’s about time. Dee, where are you?”

  “We’re on the way to my house. I have to check in with Stella and get unpacked before Alyssa and I start hanging out. You know who is in Mom mode.”

  “I can hear you,” I hear someone say in the background.

  “Your mom is with you?” The last time I spoke to Divine, she told me that her mother was staying in Atlanta until July.

  “Yeah,” Divine responds. “She and Miss Emma decided to spend the summer out here with us. I think they have trust issues or something. I have no idea why.”

  “They probably don’t want you running off to Vegas to get married,” I say with a laugh.

  “They definitely don’t have to worry about that. Not yet, anyway,” Divine says. “Hey, I have to get off the phone, but I’ll see you in a couple of hours, okay?”

  “See you then.”

  Three hours pass by the time Mimi’s little red BMW pulls up in front of my house. Divine and I start screaming the moment we see each other.

  “I can’t believe you two,” Mimi fusses. “You’re so loud.”

  “Don’t hate,” Divine tells her. “I got some love for you, too.”

  Alyssa and I hug while Mimi and Divine compliment each other on their clothing.

  “True divas,” I observe.