Twenty minutes later Rochelle stepped out of her room looking like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. “Ya like?” she modeled around in circles.
“Yeah, I like,” I smiled. “But I don’t know about them heels. We ain’t just going to one store. We about to shop for real.” I dropped a hint to let her know that I’m taking her shopping as well.
“We about to shop,” Rochelle repeated back to me like I didn’t just hear what I said. “You takin’ me shopping?” She got excited and screamed. “Girl, these heels are fine. Can’t you see they are for shopping only? Let’s go.” Rochelle, overly excited, grabbed my hand and dragged me out the door.
Three buses later we were at the mall, and it was jam-packed. Rochelle and I didn’t waste any time hittin’ up the stores. Our first stop was Charlotte Russe. They didn’t carry any name brands, but their clothes were stylish. Rochelle and I hung around at Charlotte Russe about an hour before we decided we didn’t want anything outta there.
“OK, Rochelle, there’s a lot of cute things in here, but I don’t see anything I want. Nothing says ‘Mya’ all over it. And that’s what I need. How about we head over to Macy’s?” I finally suggested. And just like that, we were off to Macy’s fighting our way through the hundreds of people walking through the mall. Like us, they were either looking to spend money or window-shop.
Macy’s was like a dream come true for shopping. Everything you could name in fashion they had it. All the Coogi, Gucci, Prada, you name it, they had it. Rochelle went crazy. She must have put her hands on about everything in the store.
“Look, I like these jeans. I’m going to try them on,” Rochelle implied about some blue Baby Phat jeans with a purple Baby Phat logo on the back pocket.
“Yeah, those are hot.” I turned around and glanced at the jeans. I picked up a pair of Guess skinny jeans with no pockets on the back. Then I picked up the shirt that went with it. It was a navy blue and white tee shirt with no sleeves on one side. The shirt was really trendy. All I needed was the right heels to match. This outfit turned out to be one of many I picked up at of Macy’s, but I still hadn’t found the outfit I wanted to wear for my eighteenth birthday celebration. I stumbled upon this Dereon V-neck shirt dress. It was exactly what I was looking for; the color was peacoat navy blue with a belt around the waist. I immediately picked up my size and scattered to the dressing room. Once I tried it on I knew I had to have it.
Rochelle and I wrapped up our shopping at Macy’s once we had spent a whopping thirty-two hundred dollars. The sales lady handed us our bags.
“Shit,” Rochelle murmured, as she tried to balance her bags in her hands. “Clearly we can’t do anymore shopping.”
“No way. What are we going to do about shoes? We got to have the right shit,” I replied with a smile. “Flawless, remember?”
“I remember.” Rochelle almost tripped while still struggling to balance her bags.
“Tell you what,” I said, as I dropped one of my bags and the saleslady rushed over to help me. I finally gathered all my bags in my hands. “How about we take these home and come back later for shoes?” I suggested.
“Cool. Hit the exit,” Rochelle ordered as she led the way.
We were almost out of Macy’s when we ran into Charlene, who apparently had been yelling our name from behind us.
“Hey,” Charlene said out of breath after she caught up with us. “What y’all doing up in here?” she asked casually.
“Just shopping, picking up some much-needed gear,” Rochelle replied as this other chick approached Charlene, looking like she had been running a marathon, breathing all hard.
“Damn. Charlene, why are you running? You know a bitch can’t keep up. I’m not young like you,” the girl with Charlene squabbled while fixing her eyes on Rochelle and me.
“Sorry, I had to catch up to my girls.” Charlene waved her hand toward us. “Sorry for her rudeness,” Charlene apologized to us. “This is my cousin Bambi. Bambi, these are my girls, Mya and Rochelle.”
One good look at Bambi and I immediately knew who she was. Bambi was the same female from Hertz Rental car with the stank attitude. I damn near dropped all the bags out of my hand trying to contain my composure. The last thing I needed was for this chick to recognize me. I tried to remain casual.
Bambi seemed like she was trying to size us up before she finally spoke. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” Rochelle and I replied at the same time.
There was this odd silence, but Charlene instantly put a stop to that. “So, what y’all out here picking up? I see Macy’s had to kick you out with all those bags,” Charlene said as she eyed all the bags in our hands.
“Yeah, we picked a few ’fits,” Rochelle bragged. “I see you been hittin’ up the stores your damn self.”
“You know it. That’s why I got Pig. If nigga can’t keep my pockets laced and me looking fly, then what’s the point, right?” she babbled with a little laugh.
“I know, right?” Bambi cosigned with a smile. Clearly she didn’t have a baller because her cheap weave still looked jacked up.
“You bitches musta hit the lotto though, ’cause ain’t neither one of you got no man,” Charlene seemingly joked.
“You got jokes, right?” I said to downplay her comment to keep from bringing attention to myself. “But we straight. Too bad we can’t all have a baller though.”
“Yeah, you know how it is,” Charlene bragged. “But anyway, Mya, we kickin’ it for your birthday or what?” Charlene got hyped. “’Cause I’m ready to party and get krunk.”
“Why you think we in here shopping? It’s on just liked we talked about,” Rochelle replied just as krunk as Charlene.
“Oh, so y’all been planning my birthday behind my back,” I shot off with a fake angry smirk on my face.
“Hell, yeah. You only turn eighteen once,” Rochelle beamed. “And I can’t wait.”
“I know, right?” Charlene cosigned.
“Well, we about to jet up outta here. We’ve been in here for a while, but I will call you later and we can polish off the details,” Rochelle informed Charlene.
“Cool, me and Bambi gon’ get outta here too.”
“Hell, yeah. I’m tired, besides my feet are killin’ me,” Bambi responded with her mouth twisted in a circular position. “It was nice meeting both of you.”
“Later,” Charlene said as she and Bambi turned to walk away.
Rochelle and I started to follow suit when Bambi turned around.
“Mya, I knew you looked familiar. I rented you a car about two weeks ago. Hertz. I’m the lady with all the questions.”
“Yeah, I remember,” I said. Clearly my cover was blown.
“So you just turnin’ eighteen? I knew you weren’t twenty-four. That ID was fake, huh?” she laughed.
“Guess so,” I shrugged my shoulders not at all amused by her little comment.
“Wait a minute. You two know each other?” Charlene finally butted in the conversation.
“Well, not know each other, but I rented her a car,” Bambi nodded in my direction.
“Dang, Mya, girl, I didn’t even know you could drive,” Charlene responded.
“You didn’t know that? She’s been driving for a long time. Her dad used to let us both drive before he went up, but how you gon’ rent a car and not tell me?” Rochelle turned her attention to me.
“It was only for a day. I had some business I needed to tend to.” I gave her a shut-the-fuck-up look. The last thing I wanted was a big discussion about that rental car.
“Umm, you renting cars and going on shopping sprees. Both you bitches holding out on me,” Charlene said in an unusual tone that caught Rochelle’s and my attention.
I’m not sure, but I could have sworn it was a hint of jealousy, but maybe I heard it the wrong way because jealousy would not be normal from Charlene.
“Well, we gon’ get up with you later,” Rochelle responded. “These bags are heavy.”
“A’ight,”
Charlene replied. “I will see you bitches at the celebration.”
“Again it was nice meeting you too, and if you ever need to rent another car come see me, Mya. No need to bring ID,” Bambi added.
“I’ll remember that,” I quickly replied.
Rochelle turned and headed toward the exit in a hurried walk. “I still can’t believe you rented a car and didn’t tell me,” she complained.
“Look, Rochelle, I needed the car for business. There was no joy riding involved,” I replied hoping to end this conversation.
“You still could have told me. We are best friends, Mya. And since when do we not tell each other everything? Especially when one of us rents a car.”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Rochelle,” I stopped dead in my tracks, “I rented the car to go pick up the money from my dad’s friend. I didn’t want to ride the bus with that type of package on me. I didn’t tell you because I had so much other shit on my mind. So would you please drop it?” I screamed.
Shocked by my reaction Rochelle looked around to make sure no one was looking in our direction. “OK. I’m sorry. Let’s just go home.” She looked defeated.
Chapter 18
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you . . .”
I heard people singing “Happy Birthday” and I thought I was dreaming until I opened my eyes and found Li’l Bo and Monica standing over me. “What is going on?” were the first words out of my mouth as I rubbed sleep from my eyes.
“It is your birthday, isn’t it, or are we in the wrong apartment?” Monica inquired holding a tray that was filled with breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and grits.
My stomach immediately started to growl. “Is all that for me?” I asked, my mouth watering.
“Yes, and it’s all made by me and your dear brother.” Monica handed me the tray when I sat up in the bed.
“Yeah, and whatever you don’t eat, I will,” Li’l Bo informed me. “Happy birthday, sis.” He bent down and gave me a hug, then Monica followed suit by giving me a huge hug.
“Thank you soo much. I wasn’t expecting this.” I forked some pancakes into my mouth. “So where did you guys get all this?” I asked curiously with a mouth full of food jammed inside.
“Me and Li’l Bo went shopping,” Monica proudly answered.
“Just like you taught us,” Li’l Bo proudly added.
I immediately stopped eating. “Wait a minute. You guys went shoplifting?” I asked.
“Hell, yeah. You know we didn’t pay for it,” Li’l Bo answered with a serious look plastered on his face.
I paused for a minute with my eyes closed and took a deep breath. “Look, I know both of you meant well, but you cannot be stealing for any reason. I don’t want you getting into trouble for doing something stupid. I know in the past that is how we got by, but not anymore. Now we have money, so whatever we need, we will pay for it.”
“That sounds cool. But we,” Li’l Bo pointed between himself and Monica, “don’t have any money. You took us shopping, but you never gave us any cash. So we broke.”
“A’ight, I’ll take care of that. I will make sure you have money but no more stealing. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Monica replied without hesitation.
“Li’l Bo?” I nudged his leg with my fist knuckles.
“A’ight. I won’t shoplift,” he said, sounding annoyed.
“Cool, now leave so I can eat in peace,” I smiled.
“Uhh, this is my room, too,” Monica reminded me.
“Oh, sorry, you can stay. Li’l Bo, get out.”
“I’ll go but call me if you get full,” he reminded me.
Li’l Bo left the room, and Monica started to straighten the covers on her bed. With all my excitement I still noticed one important person was missing.
“Monica, where is Mom?” I asked before stuffing my mouth with more pancakes and taking a sausage and dipping it in the maple syrup.
“She ain’t here; didn’t come home last night. Mya, I just knew she would be here this morning for your birthday.” Monica looked sad.
“Yeah, at least.” I continued to eat trying to sound unconcerned. “I can’t believe you not freaking out about her not being home. I know you worried.”
“Not today. My only concern was wishing you a happy birthday. Like you always tell me, I’m sure she’s fine, right?” Monica tried to sound convinced.
“Right,” I said pissed at the fact she ain’t home to wish me a happy birthday but also determined not to let her mess up my day. So I announced my plan for this morning. “Guess what?” I took a bit of my bacon and smiled. “I’m going to get my hair done after I eat this breakfast. A new look is what I plan to get.”
“Wow! What look do you have in mind?” she asked with excitement.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet. But I was thinking that short haircut like Kandi has on The Real Housewives of Atlanta but a little shorter. That’s hot!” I got excited thinking about that hairdo on me. “How about you go with me? It’ll be fun.”
Monica gave me a big smile, and I know she was down. Excited about my day, I started to devour all my food fast so we could get an early start to a salon. Although I wasn’t sure which salon I would use, I had one in mind. I have always kept up with all the hair salons in the Detroit area. I keep up with what type of hairstyles they specialize in. I guess this sort of thing comes with the passion I have for doing hair. There was this new salon in the Detroit area called 4EverStylz. Recently I read some good reviews about them in a Detroit local magazine. Maybe I’ll stop by to see if they take walk-ins.
***
Welcome to 4EverStylz,” the redheaded girl behind the receptionist desk greeted us when we entered the hair salon.
The place was elegant and beautiful. When we walked in I was speechless. I lost my voice so Monica spoke up.
“Hello,” Monica replied and gave me nudge on the arm.
“Um, um. Hi,” I stammered over my words. Embarrassed at my behavior, I apologized. “Sorry. It’s just this place doesn’t look like a hair salon.” I felt like the receptionist and the women standing behind her were looking at me like I was crazy. So I tried to explain. “It’s just really nice, very unique.”
“Thanks,” the women behind the receptionist replied with a smile.
“How can I help you?” the receptionist asked.
“Well, I was hop . . . I mean, wondering, if you guys take walk-ins.”
“Actually, we don’t,” the receptionist informed me. “But I can set you up an appointment with one of our stylists.”
“I kinda figured that. Never mind.” I turned to leave.
“You know what? I’ll do it,” I heard the voice of the other lady who was standing behind the receptionist speak up.
I turned around slowly to see her step from behind the desk. She extended her hand to me. “Hi, I’m Pepper. I’m the owner here at 4EverStylz. I am also one of the top stylists here, and your name is?” she asked.
“Mya.” I extended my hand. “And this is my sister, Monica.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet both of you. Monica, we have a seating area in the back that’s complete with a television and all the snacks and drinks you can eat. Normally, I would offer you wine, but neither of you seem old enough.” She smiled and led the way.
After we dropped Monica off at the waiting area, Pepper led me to the styling area, and that shit was banging so hard it also left me speechless. There was a fully stocked bar area with big-screen TVs before entering single booths where the screens can be seen from all directions. I would love to work at one just like this someday.
“So how would you like your hair?” Pepper’s question pulled me back from my thoughts.
“Do you watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta?” I asked.
“Absolutely. In my opinion it’s the hottest black show on television.”
“So you should be very familiar with that hairstyle Kandi rocks on there. I want my hair cut and styled just like that,�
�� I said, proud of my choice.
Pepper ran her hand through my hair but didn’t respond for a minute. “That’s really short. With this long, shiny hair you could cut it off and sell it. Are you sure you want to cut all your hair off? I can always do a quick weave of the same style,” Pepper tried to suggest.
“Look, it’s only hair. Besides, I thought about it long and hard. It’s what I want,” I replied matter-of-factly.
“OK,” was her last response before the scissors made a beeline through my hair, chopping it down row by row like high weeds.
Her Sweetest Revenge (Delphine Publications Presents) Page 8