“Yes, I did. And I also have a teacher at school who may be able to help.”
She stops browsing and looks me dead in the eye. Her green eyes shimmer as she probes my sight, trying to see what I see. I know she can if she really wants to, but I'd prefer she ask instead. “A teacher at South Bay High that knows about the Black Queen of California and our Golden State's namesake. Really?” Mama sounds more interested than I expected. It's not like Califia's that big of a secret. And besides, I think the story of her and her people may be one of the original misgiving tales to tell.
“Yeah, Mr. Adewale. He's the latest addition to the faculty roster and he's not bad on the eyes either,” I say, folding my clean clothes, ready to take them into to Daddy's room to store in the closet. I can wash the dirty ones while I'm in the spiritroom working on my homework. I'd better get to work now if want to be in bed by a decent hour. It's going to be hard waking up at five-thirty in the morning after not having to for several days.
“Mr. Adewale,” Mama says as the name rolls off her tongue like syrup. It's almost as if she's recalling something, but I can't tell what. My skills aren't nearly as tight as Mama's. “Uh huh. Don't you think you have enough boy trouble as it is?” she asks, again reading my mind. But as strong as my vibe is, I think anyone can tell I'm feeling Mr. A. “Speaking of which, how is Rah? Did you have a good time with him on Thanksgiving?”
“Well, I actually spent the day with Nellie, Chance, and Jeremy,” I say, leaving out the part about us having dinner at Pann's on Thanksgiving. Details aren't that important, especially not the ones that are going to get me yelled at.
“Where was Rah?”
I return Mama's stare from across the small room and take a deep breath. I don't feel like getting into our long weekend filled with baby-mama drama and hating girlfriends. But I can't lie to Mama about it all if I want to get to work anytime soon.
“He was visiting his daughter.”
Mama's curious look quickly morphs into a concerned frown as she remembers the pain I went through with Rah and Sandy. More importantly, she remembers the prayers we did for Rah to get his daughter back. Sandy ran off with their baby when she was only a few weeks old and hasn't looked back since.
“How is the baby? She must be almost two by now, right?” I know Mama wants to go off, but she spares my feelings and doesn't grill me any further about Rah and I do appreciate it.
“She's fine, I guess.”
From my response, Mama can tell I haven't seen his daughter, and rolls her eyes. I know there's still a lot of mess and unfinished business between Rah and me regarding his baby girl, and I intend to get on it as soon as I can. I've got to tighten my hustle if I'm going to make it through Mickey's pregnancy and through this battle between Rah and Sandy over their daughter. I also want to give myself the best Kwanza gift of all: a car. And it's all going to take some serious hustling on my part.
2
The Art of Husting
“Some of them want to use you/
Some of them want to get used by you.”
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I
t never ceases to amaze me how quickly one holiday runs into the other. Mama says there was a time when Halloween was Halloween and Christmas was Christmas. Now Santa hats are put out with the pumpkins, and it throws me off every year. Speaking of throwing, Misty heads my way with the rest of her sometimey crew right beside her. KJ and her are back on point, I see, and Shae and Tony look as high as ever. The first bell hasn't even rung yet and these fools already need to escape.
“Hey, Jayd,” KJ says, chewing on a toothpick, with one arm around Misty and the other one holding his backpack. They all turn the corner, heading toward the main office a few steps in front of me.
I'm surprised KJ has the nerve to speak to me after his humiliating loss this weekend and his punk-ass attitude afterwards. Talk about a sore loser.
“I told you not to talk to her. And don't look directly into her eyes, either,” Misty says, repeating something that sounds more like my neighbor Esmeralda than herself.
Oh, this should be an interesting day. Just when I thought my walk up the main path to the front of South Bay High couldn't get any more difficult, Reid and Laura walk outside of the front doors, stapling the Fall Festival fliers to the front bulletin board. I stop and see my name next to Reid's name in the lead roles. I still can't believe I'm playing opposite him as Lady Macbeth. That's some serious irony for my ass.
“There's my old lady now,” Reid jokes as KJ and followers walk past them into the main office with me not far behind.
“You wish,” I say, passing him and his actual girlfriend as I head into the main office with the rest of the crowd.
Christmas decorations are being spun up above our heads giving the place a very festive vibe. The six-foot Christmas tree is standing in the corner by the principal's office. The athletes and cheerleaders will have the pleasure of decorating that gaudy thing while ASB gets to do everything else. By the end of the week the entire campus will look like Santa's village, minus the snow.
“Oh Jayd, please. The only reason they gave you the part was to avoid hearing your racist bull,” Laura says, spewing more toxins with every word.
This chick is more serious about this part than I am. Ain't nothing worse than a hating white girl.
“Damn, Laura. Are you afraid of losing your man to Jayd or something?” Chance asks, entering the hall to have my back. Jeremy, Matt and Seth are also approaching the main office through the main hall entrance. I wish he wouldn't have said that. Laura's already on fire and I don't need anyone adding gasoline to the mix.
“As if,” Laura says, flipping her long brown hair over her left shoulder. She wouldn't be bad looking if her attitude wasn't so funky. “Reid has good taste, and eyes for me only.”
Now even Laura can't be that stupid. I wouldn't trust any dude to have eyes for me only. If a fool tells me that, I know he's trying to get his game on and I'm not buying it. KJ used to say that shit to meâand the rest of his broadsâall of the time. He's probably feeding that bull to Misty as we speak, and even Misty can't be deluded enough to fall for that line.
“Well then, stop hating on her for getting the part. Suck it up, Laura. Jayd's an actress and you're just a fake.” Chance puts his arm around my shoulders and smiles at a steaming Reid. If Chance could sock Reid in his jaw without suffering any repercussions, I'm sure he would. I'd even be tempted to get a punch in myself if the circumstances were right.
“What business is it of yours, Chance? I thought you were dating the other one,” Reid says as Jeremy, Matt, and Seth join us. Only my girls and Nigel are missing from the scene. Tony and Shae are watching from the background, as usual, while Misty and KJ stand front and center, much more obvious about their eavesdropping.
“The other one what?” Jeremy asks. He doesn't need a reason to argue with Reid. The ongoing feud between their families is enough ammunition to last him a lifetime. I still can't believe they hate each other because their older brothers used to date the same girl, but it's as real as the beef between Mama and our neighbor Esmeralda and can be just as dangerous when provoked.
“The other friend,” Reid says, chickening out of completing his racist statement, but we all know what he meant.
“Yeah right, Reid. If anyone's crying some racist crap it's the two of you,” Chance says, releasing his hold on me as Nellie and Mickey both approach the tense meeting from opposite directions. I wonder how Nellie got to school this morning, because I know she didn't ask Mickey for a ride.
Jeremy turns around and looks in the same direction as Chance and I. He looks back at the two of us and smiles, like he senses something's going on between us. I know Jeremy knows better than that. I'll have to ask him what that's all about during third period. But right now we have to get out of here and get to first period before we're all tardy.
“Whatever, Slim Shady. We know where your loyalties lie,” Laura says to Chance. Seeing Mickey approach, the self-proclaimed new queen bee of the rich-bitch crew decides to tone down her attitude and head for the ASB room. I would go over there myself to holla at Ms. Toni before the day begins, but I'll wait until the coast is clear of her nosy students.
“What did you just call me?” Chance says, ready to step up to Laura like she's a dude: some girls bring that out in a dude. I live in a house full of men, so I know when to shut up, as my mom would say. It's not that I'm afraid of a dude because I'm not. But sometimes enough is enough, and Laura just ran out with Chance.
“You heard me. You haven't been white since junior high,” she says, making Reid and KJ both laugh. They all went to school together. I'm sure it's true but damn, she didn't have to go there with him in front of a crowd like that.
I can't let my boy catch the heat I'm supposed to be taking. I'd better put a stop to this before things get out of hand.
“This is between you and me, Laura. But as usual, you'd rather take cheap shots at my friends than fight your own battle,” I say, redirecting her attention back to me. The bell rings above our heads as the rest of the folks in the crowded hall pick up the pace. Like them, I'm ready to get on with this day as well. And the sooner I can shut Laura up, the better.
“You're right Jayd. This is between you and me. Remember that when this comes back to bite you in your fat ass.” Laura walks through the double doors Reid's holding open for her.
Who's she calling fat?
“I like your ass,” Jeremy says, making everyone still present laugh at Laura's semi-dramatic exit.
I still can't help but feel something more is up with Laura. That last look she gave me sent chills down my spine and that's highly unusual. I wonder what she's got up her sleeve this time, and who's helping her deal her wicked hand?
“That skinny bitch deserves a slap in the face. Y'all should write that into the script,” Mickey says to Matt and Seth, who both look as if they're still waking up. Jeremy's entire crew usually surfs in the morning, followed by a smoke-out session before coming to school. Living five minutes away from campus must be nice in more ways than one.
“Yeah, I'd come see that play,” Nellie says, leading the way into the buzzing hall. She's still pissed at Mickey for lying to Nigel and getting away with it. But after Laura and Tania treated her like a maidservant during Homecoming, she can't stand the broad either. I don't know how she puts up with having to work side-by-side with Laura and Reid for ASB projects. Their stuck-up attitudes can be highly contagious. I'm just glad they haven't gotten to Nellie.
“You're still coming to opening night to support your folks though, right?” Chance says, causing Nellie to raise her eyebrows and Jeremy's cheeks to flush.
What the hell's up with these two and their unfounded jealousy? Even if Chance and I had crushes on each other last year, we're just friends now. Don't they know I have enough boy drama to deal with as it is?
“I don't know,” Nellie says, twirling her freshly-pressed hair around her index finger before letting the loose curls fall over her shoulder. I would love to get my hands on her head full of hair. A head cleansing would do her tight ass some good. “There are only a few shopping days left until Christmas and I have a lot on my to-do list to check off still.”
Chance looks hurt that Nellie would even entertain not coming to his opening night, and they're supposed to be dating. Even if I think he should say something to Nellie, I doubt he rocks the boat, especially as hard as he fought to get a ride in it.
“Well, we'll be there. Ain't that right, baby,” Nigel says, tightly holding a glowing Mickey around her expanding waist.
I don't know if she's trying to hide her pregnancy from the rest of the school, but she won't be able to for much longer. Her Baby Phat jeans are popping at the seams already and I don't think Kimora makes maternity clothes. I wonder what Mickey will be sporting for the next seven months?
“It depends. Will there be food?” Mickey asks while chewing on a Red Vine.
Nellie looks at our girl in total disgust. Mickey and her cravings. I hope her baby is as big as she's going to be now that she's eating for two all day long.
“It's a play, not a movie,” Seth says, crossing his lanky arms across his chest and rolling his eyes behind his Versace shades. He gets pissed when people don't take his theater seriously. Matt is more nonchalant about it, but the two of them take care of the sets, so they are more particular about what goes on inside the drama studio than any of the other students in the drama class or club.
“But people have been known to sneak in food, and there will be refreshments for sale during the intermission.” Matt looks bored by the conversation and starts to lead the way into the main hall where our lockers are.
I feel for the freshmen and sophomore students having their lockers outside, especially when it rains. I'm glad to be a junior, even though we're only going into the third month of school, and the year has already been filled with drama.
“Bet. We'll hit up the liquor store before we roll through, but we'll be there for sure,” Mickey says, allowing Nigel to wrap her up tightly in his arms and walk her toward her locker.
Nellie, obviously annoyed by their affectionate behavior, walks off to her locker, which is only three doors down from Mickey's, leaving Chance to run after her, as usual.
I can't understand why Chance allows Nellie to use him like she does. I guess having some attention from Nellie is better than receiving none at all. And I know Nellie hates on Mickey for her magnificent pimping, but Nellie ain't too far behind in her game. The major difference between my girls is that Nellie's jealousy is going to get the best of her if she's not careful.
“I'll catch up with y'all later,” Chance says, leaving me and Jeremy alone.
Damn, this is more than a bit uncomfortable, especially after our kiss on Sunday. Sensing my uneasiness, Jeremy breaks the ice. I didn't get a chance to call him back yesterday, but I am wearing the puka-shell necklace under my pink hoodie, as well as my gold bangle he gave me a while back. I know he can feel me feeling him.
“So what's up with you? I looked for you at the bus stop, but I guess I was too slow this morning, huh?”
Jeremy's smile warms me up, even if I do still need to purchase a proper winter coat. I do this every year, hoping the cold won't come, but that never seems to work, and in the meantime I'm left with frostbite. I play with the puka shells around my neck, unsure of what to say next. I purposely took the long way around campus this morning to avoid running into Jeremy. His kiss has caused enough questions in my head. I don't need more interaction with him to further cloud my view.
“Nothing much. Just recouping from the long weekend. And you?”
I watch the other students walking by and some of them are looking at us and talking among themselves. I guess Jeremy and I will always be a hot topic to outsiders. I wonder if the same people that bet on us breaking up also placed bets on us getting back together?
“Oh, I just slept away the rest of the night, hoping my phone would ring.” He closes my locker door and takes my books for me as he shoots me a devious smile. He continues to walk me to the end of the hall before passing my books back to me and looking me in the eyes. “I'm not going anywhere, Jayd. Just know that,” he says, bending down to give me a kiss on the cheek before walking off toward his first period, as the rest of the students in the crowded hall buzz around us. I wish I could honestly say the same thing.
“I know,” I say softly, while holding my pecked cheek and exiting the main hall out of the main entrance leading outside.