by L. Divine
I pull out a stool, take a seat at the tall table, and gently flip through the large book to the section on our family initiations. Much like the oversized Bible in Mama’s living room, we keep a record of important events in this family book. As I browse through the section on stories about developing powers after our formal ceremonies, I see a paragraph entitled “The Golden Child,” reminding me that I need to holla at my grandfather about his betrothing my hand in marriage to his understudy. I can’t wait to tell Mama about my first day working at the church. She’ll really get a kick out of Daddy’s failed plan.
“Hey, Lexi,” I say, greeting Mama’s German shepherd who lies across the threshold in her usual protective position. Since borrowing Esmeralda’s powers, which allowed me to hear Lexi’s old lady–like voice in my thoughts I’ve got a new respect for the pooch.
The Golden Child is apparently the one who can move in and out of our ancestors’ powers, the dream world, and reality at will. This special person also has the ability to see the walking dead who disguise themselves as everyday people such as zombies, vampires, werewolves, and all around shape-shifters. Sounds kind of like my gifts with the exception of seeing the living dead. That’s a skill I’m not sure I want to acquire.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Jayd. You don’t know what the Creator has in store for you.”
My mom always has a way of chiming in at the right time. I glance at the pictures of the Golden Child with luminescent eyes greener than any of the eyes present in our lineage thus far. Maman was a great artist, unlike Mama and I who do our best to paint vivid pictures with words rather than drawings. If I attempted to sketch a thought it would look worse than one of Rahima’s stick figures.
“Mom, I’m very happy with my gifts so far. I think seeing dead people walking around would be a bit much,” I think back while taking in part of the parable.
Apparently this kid can commune with the dead because, as a child of Oya—the orisha over the wind, graveyards, and transformation of any kind—she blessed this special child with the ability to also send the dead back to the other side, therefore protecting the living from premature death by becoming a mule or zombie as we call them. Mama told me stories of zombies and vampires when I was a child, but I thought they were just that—stories, not something real that would invade one of the biggest haters in my life. Like Misty needs more drama than she already brings on a regular basis.
“Maybe, maybe not. The point is to go with the flow. Falling to sleep and waking up with someone else’s powers would trip me out. But if it was there when I woke up what am I going to do, give it back? I don’t think so, little sistah.”
“Point taken, Mom,” I say as she leaves me to my studying. My mom thinks she’s slick using my gift of sight as an analogy to this new power not yet born, but I hear her loud and clear.
When my dreams began to evolve—first through sleepwalking, then through keeping the powers I dreamt about once I was awake—it scared the shit out of me. Now that they’ve matured more I see the value in them. Whatever I saw in Misty today was disturbing, but what if it was a blessing in disguise? Exactly what kind of blessing is a topic for another time. I just want to find out what she’s evolving into and how to stop it before it gets out of hand.
“I’ve got love all over me,” Monica sings, announcing a phone call from who I don’t know. Mama’s the only one with a personal ringtone these days. Against my better judgment I answer the call only because it’s from Nellie. I should let it go to voice mail and continue with my reading, but she’s probably just checking on me since I abruptly left our shopping spree this afternoon.
“Hello,” I answer, still skimming through the spirit book. I don’t want to lose my place in the massive text.
“Jayd, you need to get over here right now,” Nellie says, frantically interrupting my solitude. I knew I shouldn’t have answered the phone.
“What’s wrong, and where is ‘here’?” I ask, vaguely concerned. My girl has a history of being melodramatic so it’s hard to know when to take her seriously.
“At Rah’s house. Sandy’s here with her new maybe baby daddy and his sister, Trish. It’s not a good look, Jayd. Her and Rah are one step away from being on Jerry Springer.”
“Nellie, they could have been on Springer ten times by now,” I say, putting the speakerphone on while I thumb through the book. My days of running to Rah’s rescue over Sandy are a thing of the past. As one of Rah’s best friends I’ve more than done my job dealing with that crazy broad. But I am interested to know why Rah’s supplier and the alleged father of the mystery baby are there with Rah’s ex-trick, Trish no less. I’m sure she jumped at the excuse to visit Rah. That girl’s so sprung it’s unattractive.
“Jayd, save the sarcasm. This is serious and Mickey’s not here to handle Sandy’s irrational behavior. She went to get her nails done while I watch Nickey. I don’t know what to do.”
Mickey needs to fill out some job applications instead of spending money she doesn’t have. Between her hair and nails Mickey could easily skim at least two hundred off her monthly bills. That alone would help out her little family. She doesn’t know it yet but Rah’s going to start laying down the law, including who does what chores and who’s responsible for which bills. He’s the most responsible seventeen-year-old dude I’ve ever known. He and Nigel will be eighteen next month and I know they’ll be even more on their game once legally able to make more power moves.
“Nellie, what’s the problem? Rah can handle himself and with Nigel there to have his back, you should be good. Just stay in the room with the baby and let them do their thing.”
“I’m trying, Jayd, but Sandy’s getting ghetto and trying to take Rahima out of the house. Rah’s about to hit the roof.”
“What’s new? Rah’s not going to let that happen and as usual, it’ll take all night before Sandy gives up. Like I said, stay out of it, Nellie and the nightmare will end. I’ve got to go.”
“But Jayd, these are drug dealers,” Nellie says, speaking low as if she doesn’t want to offend anyone. “What if they start shooting? I’m too cute to die young!”
Not long ago Nellie was all flirty-flirty with Trish’s brother, Lance, who also happens to drag race his Mazda whenever he gets the chance. Like Chance and Jeremy, Rah and Nigel love to fix up cars and Lance’s hot rod was definitely one of their favorite pleasure projects. I guess the fantasy’s over for Nellie now that we know he’s been with Sandy’s nasty ass and I can’t say that I blame her. Rah getting Sandy pregnant sealed the nail in the coffin for me and Rah’s relationship back in the day, but I still think Nellie’s overreacting just a bit.
“Lord, have mercy,” I say, putting my forehead in my hands and rubbing my temples. Now I know how Mama feels when I get carried away. Nellie has a very active imagination when it comes to life in the hood. You’d think the girl didn’t live in Compton the way she acts sometimes. I know she’s been sheltered from death and destruction for most of her life, but really, the shit’s not that deep.
“Nellie, you’ve been over Rah’s house a thousand times. Has anything like that ever happened?” I’m not even going to comment on the fact that Lance and his crew only deal with herb, which is very different from being an actual drug dealer who makes crack and slangs heroin. They’re not even your average weed hustlers. Lance attends a private university and is as preppy as they come. Nigel and Rah are not as preppy, but still clean with their gear and just as driven to utilize their hustle for bigger and better things.
“No it hasn’t,” Nellie says, slightly calming herself down. “But I’ve never been over here without you or Mickey and they’re arguing like it’s about to go down. Seriously, Jayd, I’m afraid for my life.”
I roll my eyes at the pink phone next to the book I’m supposed to be fully engaged in. Why is Nellie bugging me with this when I have more urgent matters to attend to? She doesn’t even know what fearing for your life is yet. Seeing Misty’s wicked grin put the fear of Go
d in me and I’ve been through much worse.
“Nellie, if you’re really that uncomfortable why don’t you walk up to Simply Wholesome with Nickey and chill until it’s all over?” I suggest. It’s a good compromise and it’ll hopefully get her off the phone. “Nickey loves to stroll and you still have about an hour before the sun sets. I’m sure one of our friends will come for you two when you’re ready to leave.”
“Walk? Are you joking?” Nellie asks, her fear of death obviously replaced by her aversion to physical exercise of any kind. I don’t know how she ever thought she was going to make it as a cheerleader. “I’m not walking anywhere, especially not while pushing a stroller. As if.”
“Bye, Nellie,” I say, tired of this conversation. It’s pointless trying to reason with my irrational friend.
“Jayd, wait. Maybe I should call the police.”
Has Nellie completely lost her mind?
“No, don’t do that. There’s no need in everyone going to jail because that’s just what’ll happen if the law gets involved. Like I said before, hold tight and it’ll all blow over soon. For real, Nellie, I’ve got to go.”
“Fine, Jayd. But when you see breaking news about a shooting off La Brea Avenue, you’ll regret not coming over when I asked. Good night.”
Nellie hangs up in a huff as if it’s my fault Rah has too much drama in his life. That girl has ruined my concentration and my nerves right along with it. How can I focus when she’s got me all riled up?
Before I can calm myself down my phone rings. It had better not be Nellie again. I don’t want to have to go completely off on my paranoid girl to get my point across. Instead, it’s my estranged boyfriend. I guess I’ll have to face Jeremy one day. I can give him a second to apologize for the millionth time and then back to work. Maybe I can ease up on the attitude for both our sakes. I’m tired of being mad at my man, but I can’t help my hurt feelings.
“Am I forgiven yet?” Jeremy asks. His voice is deep and tired. If he’s as upset as I am about our separation I know he’s losing some sleep behind it. If it weren’t for my constant head cleansings, baths, and other spiritual work I wouldn’t get any sleep either.
“I’m working on it.” And I am in my own way. I’m not the best at forgiveness, but with the friends I’ve got I’m learning. “What’s up?”
“Just in case you forgot, it’s my birthday tomorrow,” Jeremy says, jarring my memory. Celebrating his birthday was one of several things we had planned for his homecoming. “My brothers are having a little party in my honor tomorrow on the Manhattan pier. It would mean a lot to me if you could come.”
“Jeremy, I’m not in the mood for a bonfire by the beach or anywhere else for that matter,” I say, rubbing my temples at the thought of hanging with his surfer crew. I’m stressed enough as it is without adding another friend’s birthday to the mix. And if Jeremy’s older brothers are throwing the shindig then I know there’s going to be twice the amount of alcohol and other stimulants present; I’m not in the mood to be anyone’s designated driver.
“It’s my birthday, Jayd. What kind of day would it be without my girl on my arm?” Jeremy pleads.
He can be pretty persuasive when he wants to, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to go back to the way things were—and that’s if Mama even lets me out of the house after I tell her what I saw in Misty’s mouth. It’s been an extra long day dealing with my friends and their bull, not to mention my temporary job for the rest of the week. The last thing I’ll want to do after work tomorrow is deal with rich surfer kids who have nothing better to do but spend their time and money getting high. And I don’t doubt Cameron’s ass will be there.
“Oh, I wasn’t aware Cameron would be there, too,” I say, closing the spirit book. It’s obvious I’m not going to get any more reading done. I’ll just finish up my chores for the evening, take Dr. Whitmore’s meds and call it a night. There’s nothing like good sleep to help me put an end to this day.
“Jayd, come on,” Jeremy says, exasperated. “Cameron admitted this was on her, not me. Why can’t you just let it go.”
“How am I supposed to let some shit like that go, Jeremy?” I ask, leaping to my feet. I could throw something I’m so mad, but I’ll sweep the wooden floors instead.
“The same way I let it go when Rah kissed you at school,” Jeremy says, reminding me of one of Rah’s first pop-up visits at South Bay High last year. There have been other kisses snuck in since then, but Jeremy doesn’t need to know about all that. “Not to mention that every time I look at your necklace or phone it gets a rise out of me. But I don’t allow my jealousy to dictate how I feel about my girl because I trust you, Jayd.”
Damn, when Jeremy puts it like that I guess I do have a lot to bow down to. Even if the kiss Rah planted on me was at the very beginning of me and Jeremy’s courtship, Jeremy does tolerate a lot of heat from me. And he made me feel so special on my birthday that the least I can do is return the favor. Boyfriend or not, Jeremy’s been a great friend to me.
“I haven’t had a chance to buy you a present yet,” I say, realizing I completely forgot to ask him what he wanted in the midst of my spiritual transformation and his kissing escapade. What do I get someone who has everything he could want and more?
“The only gift I need is you, baby. Promise you’ll come.” Damn, Jeremy sounds so sweet when he begs. How can I say no?
“Fine, but I can’t stay for long. I’m not supposed to be out after dark until I’m out of whites.” I know he doesn’t get it, but knowing Jeremy he won’t question my reasoning.
“Alrighty then.” I can hear Jeremy’s smile through the phone and it sounds good. “I guess that means you’d better get to the beach early tomorrow afternoon. The party doesn’t start until sunset but we’ll make a special exception for you, Lady J.”
“See you tomorrow, Jeremy. And, happy birthday.” I do feel a little guilty for forgetting his special day. Jeremy’s the first of my friends to turn eighteen.
“Now it will be,” Jeremy says, forcing a smile onto my face before ending the quick call.
I’m actually glad I answered Jeremy’s call tonight. I miss talking to him. Maybe this is just what we need to find our way back to the middle. We fell in love at the beach and coming from Compton, I rarely ventured to the ocean before Jeremy came into my life. For all the drama we’ve gone through with his baby mama, Tania, and now this Cameron chick, he’s brought more blessings than not, and that’s what I need to focus on if we’re going to stay together. Otherwise, the hood in me wants to take over and cuss him and Cameron out, which would be the worst thing that can happen. But best believe like Misty, I can show my fangs if Cameron steps to me at the beach or anywhere else. Like the saying goes, you can take the girl out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the girl.
4
My Two ’Hoods
Every ’hood’s the same.
—ICE CUBE
The orange and red hues across the evening sky bring me a sense of peace and hope I’d forgotten about in the midst of my dramatic day. Pastor Godfry neglected to tell me that today was the mandatory parent-teacher conferences. I got paid to stay, so I did, but I wasn’t all that happy about it. Along with each child’s summer progress reports, we also discussed the benefits of the church’s continuing extracurricular educational support through our after-school program. I knew Daddy’s church members were good at what they do, but I had no idea just how tight their hustle was and I must say, I’m impressed. Daddy’s devoted female flock is a large part of the reason Mama left the church and never looked back. I can only imagine what kind of benefits Mama added when she played the role of First Lady. With Daddy’s charisma and Mama’s skills, I bet they were unstoppable back in the days when they were happily married. But like most relationships, Mama and Daddy have been anything but joyous for the past several years.
Speaking of drama, my homegirls have been working my last nerve all day long with blow-by-blow text messages about the ma
dness that’s been unfolding at Rah’s house since yesterday. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for Rah and Nigel last night, but Mama made it very clear for me not to engage in dangerous situations. Being around Rah’s supplier and crazy baby mama I’m sure falls in that category. According to Mickey and Nellie, Sandy and Lance collected all of her belongings last night and after an unsuccessful bid to take Rahima with them, they finally left. Apparently Rah was so shook up about the possibility that he could not only lose his daughter again, but that Lance would also turn on him that he called his attorney first thing this morning to continue his quest for permanent sole custody of Rahima. I’m sorry it had to come down to this, but it’s about time Rah finished what he started. Heffas like Sandy will never go away without some sort of intervention and a court order just might do the trick.
I’m actually excited to go to Jeremy’s party, if for no other reason than to escape the never-ending soap opera that is my life. I need a break from the madness and being by the ocean always renews my spirit. I decided to hold off on telling Mama about Misty’s new dentures until after Jeremy’s birthday bash. Netta and Mama are at a ceremony tonight and gave me permission to attend the birthday party as long as I’m home on time. If someone else accompanied me from our spiritual family I could stay out later. But since I’m on my own as usual, I’ve got to be home before the clock strikes nine or the sun completely sets—whichever comes first. If I didn’t feel like Cinderella before with all of the work I’m constantly doing, I certainly feel like her now with my imposed curfew before the party even gets fully started.
Finding parking on the beach this time of evening is a challenge. All of the Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Audis, and other luxury vehicles are out in full effect enjoying the hot weather. The sun’s shining brightly on the deep, blue sea, illuminating the surfers and sailboats in the distance. I know Jeremy and his crew are loving the high waves, which are rhythmically crashing against the shore reminding me of my initiation ceremony a few weeks ago. After being taken asunder by Yemoja I have a new and profound respect for the home of the elder orisha. I pray Jeremy and his boys have the same love for the power of nature because as with all things, the peaceful can quickly turn dangerous.