Courtin' Jayd

by L. Divine

  “Jayd, are you serious? You’re going to walk around here by yourself and in that red top? Are you crazy?”

  “We’re in blood territory,” I say, zipping up my jacket so as not to attract too much attention to myself. The last thing I need is more drama in my life. “Besides, no one’s going to mess with me anyway.” Between my notorious grandmother and my infamous uncles, everyone in this city knows my family’s not to be messed with. The only people that don’t care are my neighborhood haters, but that’s because of their loyalty to Misty’s trifling behind. Otherwise, they wouldn’t bother me either.

  “Jayd, in all good conscience, I can’t let you out of this car,” Nellie says, sitting back firmly in her seat so I can’t fold it forward, no matter how hard I push. “You’ll be safer with us.”

  “I’ll see you at school tomorrow Nellie,” I say, sliding to the driver’s side and pushing my way out of the car. Mickey’s man comes over to watch me struggle out of the backseat of the classic vehicle. I feel like a little kid trying to climb out of a car seat. My clothes are completely wrinkled and my heavy backpack almost causes me to tumble over, but I catch myself before that happens.

  “Going somewhere?” he says with his arms crossed tightly over his chest like an evil genie. He might be able to make Mickey’s wishes come true, but I’m not impressed.

  “Yeah, home. And before you ask, no I don’t need an escort,” I say, closing the door behind me and walking back down the short driveway. Mickey’s siblings glance my direction and continue what they’re doing. Thank goodness the rain stopped or my bus ride home would be even more inconvenient.

  “Are you sure you don’t want a ride? There’s more than enough room for you,” he says, licking his lips and giving me a devious smile. I know this fool isn’t trying to hit on me with his girlfriend in the house a few feet away. What does Mickey see in him? Yeah, he’s tall and he looks okay. But as far as personality goes, he’s one of the most unattractive men I’ve ever seen.

  “I got your sweater, girl. Let’s go,” Mickey says, rushing out of her house and down the porch steps. “What’s going on here?” Mickey asks, making her way to the car before I’m completely off her property.

  “I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning,” I say, not waiting for her response. I’m done with this tired scene, for real. If I never see her man again, it’ll be too soon. I feel bad for leaving Nellie alone in their madness but it’s her choice. It’s not my fault she’s too prissy to take the bus.

  After walking back to Long Beach Boulevard, I catch the bus to Wilmington and Alondra, which will drop me in front of my regular bus stop by Miracle Market. I settle at the bus stop and call Rah, who—for the second time this afternoon—doesn’t answer. What’s really going on? I thought we agreed after the last time I didn’t return his calls for a few days that we wouldn’t put each other through that again. I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he sure is making it difficult. I might as well give my dad a call now while I’m thinking about it.

  I locate my dad’s number in my contact list and press send on my worn-out cell. The last thing I want to do is have a long conversation with him, which usually ends in an argument. I’m going to make this as brief as possible.

  “Hello there, youngin’,” my dad says, sounding as country as ever. The sound of his voice alone gives me shivers.

  “Hey Daddy. I’m just checking in. How are you?” I ask. The bus is down the street and approaching my stop, giving me the perfect reason to cut short our conversation if need be.

  “I’m fine, girl. How are you?” He usually sounds happy to hear from me but he feels the same way about chatting with me as I do: less is definitely more.

  “I’m fine. Waiting at the bus stop. How’s the family?” His side is more like a clan that I’m not a part of, but I’m trying to be sweet like Mama taught me.

  “Your stepmama and brother and sister are fine, but you’d know that if you came by more often,” he says. What am I supposed to do—fly to his house? He knows I’m dependent on others for a ride and my mom damn sure ain’t taking me over there. When she left him before I was born, she swore she’d never step foot in that house again and she hasn’t broken her word yet.

  “I would come over more often if I had a way there,” I say, but we both know that’s a lie. I could think of a million other places to go before stopping in his hood. It’s enough that I have to attend his family functions. But voluntarily spending time with him isn’t an option.

  “Well, you never did get back to me about your driving lessons. I already told you I’d pay for them,” he says. I can tell from his tone he’s salty about me stalling. I’d rather earn the money and pay for them myself than take the offer from him, which will inevitably have a price of its own.

  “Right,” I say as the bus pulls up. “I’ve been pretty busy and I’m looking for a new job,” I say without telling him I no longer have my job at Simply Wholesome. I don’t want to hear his mouth about that one. “But anytime you set it up should be good.”

  “A new job? What’s wrong with the one you have?” he asks, fishing for more information. I’ve been working since I was ten years old because of his refusal to pay child support properly—he doesn’t have the right to question me about my money.

  “I need more money.” And a better schedule and independence, but he doesn’t need to know all that.

  “Well, I can respect that,” he says. People are lining up to get on the bus and I hate to talk on the phone while I’m riding. “I’ll give them a call and let you know when it starts. Should they pick you up from school or your grandmother’s house?”

  “School would be better for me. My bus is here so I’ve got to go,” I say, rising from my seat and joining the long line of passengers. Some dude is putting a bike on the front of the bus, and that always takes a long time.

  “All right then, Jayd. I’ll talk to you later. Before you know it, you’ll be driving and you won’t have to wait at the bus stop anymore.” From his lips to God’s ears.

  “Does that mean you’re going to help me buy a car?” I ask, sounding hopeful even though I should know better. My daddy offering to help is a miracle all by itself. I really shouldn’t push it.

  “I’ll pay for the lessons. You and your mother will have to work out the rest,” he says, deflating my bubble before it gets full. Why do I even bother?

  “What’s the point of having a license if I have nothing to drive? And, how is my mom supposed to help me when she barely makes enough for us to live on?” Or did he forget he left her with nothing and pays no alimony?

  “I’m sure some of her men will help out,” he says. My dad is always salty about my mom’s independence. Honestly, I can’t see how they ever got together. They’re so different and he’s a control freak to the max. But rather then sass him, I hold my tongue and rush him off the phone.

  “Dad, I’m losing my signal,” I say, walking up the steps to show the driver my pass. She glances at it and shakes her head at me for being on the phone, pointing to the multiple signs that say “No cell use.” She doesn’t have to tell me twice.

  “Be safe and I’ll talk to you later,” he says before hanging up the phone. I wonder if he treats my sister the same way he treats me. I also wonder how his new wife tolerates his behavior. Maybe she doesn’t mind and, I admit, he does have his good points, but he rarely lets me see them.

  When I get home, I’ll start on my homework for the week and do a little studying in the spirit book if I have time. I never did find the tea my mother listed in her notebook to stop Esmeralda nor did I make the gris-gris for Rah to keep the broads away from him. I want to ask her about the tea this weekend when I see her and talk to her and Mama about my dad paying for my driving lessons. If anything gets both of their heads hot, it’s the subject of my father. I’ll wait until I’m at Netta’s shop tomorrow to break the news to Mama. At least there I’ll have some backup, in case Mama explodes.

 
; Ever since yesterday’s scene with Mickey’s man, I’ve been avoiding Mickey like the plague, which also meant avoiding kicking it with Jeremy and the rest of the crew all day long. All I wanted to do was to be by myself and study. And it doesn’t help that I have to see Reid and Laura at lunch rehearsals and in class every day. I must admit, Reid is good at his role as Macbeth but that still doesn’t change the fact that he’s an ass. I haven’t missed being in a room with him, but he seems to be enjoying our unplanned reunion. He always goaded me into arguments last year when we were on the debate team together. But I’ve had enough of Reid for one lifetime.

  I’ve been anxious about talking to Netta all day. I know she prefers to work alone, but I hope she lets me be her apprentice. Netta’s hair skills are tight and she could also use the company. Before I have a chance to talk to her about it, she and Mama attack me as I walk in the door, and they’ve been grilling me the entire afternoon since. I knew I shouldn’t have told my mom about my dad’s offer last night when she probed my mind. She can’t keep a secret for nothing.

  “Jayd, you really should think twice about letting your daddy pay for your lessons. Girl, you know how manipulative he can be,” Netta says, clamping the hot curlers fresh out of the miniature oven sitting at her station. “Tell her, Lynn Mae. Tell that girl how manipulative her daddy can be.”

  “Calm down, Netta, before you burn my ears,” Mama says, folding down her right ear so Netta can curl her hair. I’m always amazed at how quickly Mama’s hair grows. “Jayd knows who she’s dealing with.”

  “But it’s like making a deal with the devil, Lynn Mae. Tell her.” I think Netta’s more passionate about hating my daddy than Mama is.

  “Okay, to be fair I think he’s just trying to help in his own way,” I say. Usually I wouldn’t dare defend my daddy, especially not to them. But they’re missing the bigger picture, which is to my advantage ultimately: I get to learn how to drive and that’s more important than their vendetta.

  “Help, my ass, Jayd,” Mama says, spinning herself around to face me. “I know you know better than that. You just want the same thing your mother wanted: a car. And like your mama, you’ll settle to get it.” Damn, it’s like that? If I let my daddy help me, I’m settling? I just want something that normal teenagers have.

  “Mark your grandmother’s words, Jayd,” Netta says, tilting Mama’s head forward to put the final touches on her crown. “That man don’t mean you no good. I hate to talk to you like that about your daddy, but it’s the truth or this ain’t Netta’s Never Nappy Beauty Shop,” she says, waving the hot curlers toward the neon sign on the front window.

  “She’s right, Jayd. Your daddy has a history of hurting your mother through you. Don’t give him another chance.” I know Mama’s right. His little comment about my mother’s men wasn’t a slipup. He knows he’s got something I want and will find a way to use it to his advantage. Mama sure knows how to make me feel like a traitor, but I don’t see them offering me an alternative to what my main goal is: vehicular independence. And I think this is the perfect time to bring up my job proposal.

  “Well, I could pay for the lessons myself if I had a source of steady income,” I say, getting up from my seat at the dryers and walking over to Netta’s stool. I think I’ll have more influence if I hug her up a little bit.

  “Uh oh, I smell a plot,” Mama says as Netta sprays oil sheen all over Mama’s hair, creating a sweet-smelling mist in the air. She and Mama make the best hair products.

  “Not a plot, a proposal,” I say, handing Netta the plan I typed up this morning at break. “I want to work here part-time, Fridays to start and Saturdays once I get my own wheels. I can be your apprentice,” I say, putting my arm around her shoulders as she looks over my work.

  “Jayd, how is working here one day a week going to help you get your license?” Mama says. I expected some opposition from her, especially since I’ve been slacking in my spirit work. But she knows I need a job and this is the best place for me to perfect my braiding skills.

  “Well, as the plan outlines in detail…” I say, ready to make my case. I’ve been practicing my speech for days: “If I start out at seven dollars an hour working ten hours a week, plus tips, I’ll be able to save enough for a nice down payment on a car, and insurance, by my birthday.”

  “Jayd, I’ve always worked alone,” Netta says, putting down my paper before taking Mama’s robe off. “But I could use some help around here. I’ll think about it.” Yes. That’s all I needed to hear. I know her and Mama will go back and forth about it for a couple of days. But with Netta on my side, I know I can make this work. I may not need my father’s help after all and I know that’ll be a big plus for Mama. For now, I’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I can’t wait to tell Rah the good news.

  3

  Waiting

  “How long has it been/ It seems like a mighty long time.”

  —BARBARA LEWIS

  Mama and I hardly spoke a word to each other when we walked home yesterday afternoon. I hope she lets me work with Netta, if Netta decides to hire me. My final paycheck from Simply Wholesome should be at my mom’s house when I get there on Friday, but that’s two days away and a sistah’s broke now. Luckily I don’t have to worry about lunch for the next few weeks while we’re rehearsing for the play. But after that I’m going to be eating bananas all day until I can get some steady money flowing in.

  Speaking of money, I wonder if my Uncle Bryan will let me borrow some cash to tide me over until I get my check, if need be. He’s been in such a generous mood lately and it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

  “I don’t know if I feel comfortable letting you borrow money from me without a job, Jayd. That’s bad business,” Bryan says while he picks his Afro in the mirror. It’s bad enough I didn’t make it to the bathroom before him this morning. Now I have to hear his perpetually broke ass lecture me about money. Ain’t this some mess?

  “Man, please,” I say, pushing him aside to enter the steamy room. “You’re the last person to give financial counseling to anyone. As much money as you borrow from me, I need to start charging your ass interest,” I say, handing him his toiletry bag and towel while pointing him out the door. He can finish picking his Afro while he smokes a spliff in his broke-down van like he does every morning before he goes to work.

  “You’re right,” he says, putting his foot in the door and preventing me from slamming it in his face. “So how about we make a deal? You can work for it by braiding my hair.”

  “Bryan, I’ve been trying to get you to pay me for hooking your bush up forever. Why the sudden change of heart?” It would be nice if he and a couple of his homies became my steady clients. Then I could really impress Netta with my skills and make some good money.

  “Well, my new girl likes a neat man so I have to clean up my appearance a little. You know, just until I get the panties,” he says, laughing at his own disgusting reasoning. I should’ve slammed the door on his foot while I had the chance.

  “Bryan, you make me sick.” Why are dudes so foul when it comes to sex? Are there any mature guys left in the world?

  “So is that a yes or a no? I need the hook-up and I trust your hands. How about today after school? Don’t act like you have something better to do,” Bryan says, opening the door to his room and creeping in so he doesn’t disturb Daddy and Jay sleeping.

  “I’m not going to help you deceive some innocent girl into believing you’re an upstanding young man when you’re just as trifling as the dogs I have to deal with,” I whisper before closing the bathroom door. I’ve wasted enough time talking to my uncle. His shady reasoning has put me in a bitter mood and I still have the rest of the day to go. I avoided drama yesterday by keeping to myself. But that isn’t going to fly today and I need to be as calm as possible to deal with school.

  “My girl doesn’t need to know all of that. Why I do what I do is my business. And besides, this one’s special. She might be your auntie one day. And if it works out, it’s
for your benefit. You’ll have a regular customer for life,” he says, coming back out of the room wearing a pair of wrinkled black Enyce sweats with a T-shirt to match. He throws his hoodie over his left shoulder before snatching his backpack from behind the bedroom door, heading outside.

  “And what if y’all break up? You won’t need my skills then and I’ll be out of my regular pay.” Having steady clientele is no joke. That’s how a stylist eats and if I am going down that road, I’ve got to show him I mean business.

  “Well, I’ll still come to you when I want to look extra flyy,” Bryan says, kissing me on the cheek while I set up my beauty tools on top of the closed toilet seat. At least when I’m at my mom’s place, she has enough counter space for all my products. I barely have enough space for my lotion, deodorant, hair spray, and other toiletries, let alone extra room for the rest of my hair utensils. Depending on the day, I may need more to maintain my style than the cramped room allots.

  “Fine, after school and it’s twenty dollars. Cash only,” I say. I actually feel relieved to have some income coming in this afternoon. This way I don’t have to worry about buying my snacks throughout the day. I have AP meetings today and need the sugar to make it through.

  “Cool, Jayd. And just to show how much love I’ve got for you, we’ll name our first girl after you.” He can be so silly sometimes. And knowing my luck, he’ll probably have all boys, if they have any children at all.

  “Never mind all that. Just get me my money and I’ll be satisfied,” I say, finally closing the door to get started with my morning routine. It’s strange not having a boyfriend to dress up for anymore. I want to look good always, of course, but I don’t have to worry about every single detail of my gear because no one’s going to be that close to me at school. I wish I knew what was up with Rah and his silent treatment. I should’ve asked Bryan if he’s heard from him, since that is one of his regular connections for herb, but he’s already outside and I have to get ready before I’m late for school. I’ll have to remember to have a talk with Nigel when I get to campus.