“Jayd,” Misty says. I turn back and look down at her. I almost forgot she makes my short-ass feel tall. “Thank you,” she says as the bus rolls up. Misty takes out her bus pass and passes me up to get in line. Her thank you was sincere and her eyes sad. Now I feel even more of an urgency to help the girl out. But, knowing Misty, she won't make it easy.
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“Did you have to take the bus with her again?” Mickey says, snacking on bag of popcorn before the bell rings. It's been a slow Monday so far. But it's only break and anything's bound to happen.
“Yes, I did. I don't know what's going on with her and KJ. If that's his girl, shouldn't he be giving her a ride?”
“Now you know that was never his girl,” Nellie says, completely engulfed in her bitch book, but not too preoccupied to keep up with the conversation.
“Yeah, there's a big difference between a girlfriend and a ho.” Damn, Mickey has no love for Misty whatsoever, and I can't blame her. They've been enemies the entire time we've been at Drama High.
“There's KJ now. Why don't you ask him why he can't give Misty a ride anymore?” Nellie says, laughing at her own joke. But KJ looks anything but funny as he walks up to Misty and grabs her by the arm, snatching her up out of her seat and shocking everyone around South Central. What the hell?
“Where the hell have you been?”
KJ shouts at her. I guess he's in the dark just like the rest of us. “I've been calling you all weekend. Didn't you get my messages?”
“Damn, KJ man, back off,” C Money says as he and Del step in between Misty and their boy. Something's not right with Misty, and it's more than her grandmother's passing. She seems out of it, like she's not in her body or something. I know her well enough to know she wouldn't normally allow anyone to touch her like that without saying something, not even her beloved KJ.
“I'll be right back, y'all,” I say, rising from our bench and marching over to South Central. I know this is none of my business, but this fight is unfair and Misty doesn't have any girls to back her up. I can't watch her get humiliated like this, especially when she's not herself.
“Jayd, what are you doing? I know you're not going to help that girl,” Mickey calls out after me. But I'm on a mission. I don't care if everyone else around me wants to see the drama unfold. I'm not standing by and watching nobody get beat down unfairly, especially not a girl by a dude. I don't see how my neighbors at home can stand by and watch when my uncles get into it. I'm like Mama when it comes to most things, especially abuse. And, like she says, I don't care what people do when they go home, but I'll be damned if I'll watch someone suffer in my hood.
“KJ, why don't you pick on someone your own size,” I say. Everyone's staring at me while I stand by Misty's side as his boys try and calm him down. By the look in KJ's eyes, I've just added fuel to his fire.
“Did I miss something?” Shae says from her table where she and her silent man, Tony, are seated. “When did you become Misty's cheerleader?”
“The real question is, why aren't you?” I say, not backing down from the queen of this clique. Thank God I've never been a member.
“Why don't you mind your business,” KJ says, still holding Misty's arm. She hasn't moved a muscle. I need to get her out of here and fast.
“Any time a dude feels like snatching up a girl, it is my business,” I say, putting my hand on top of his. The bell rings and everyone is frozen in place, waiting to see what will happen next.
“Jayd, back off,” KJ says, taking his other hand and removing mine from his. He should know better than to try and scare me. I put my hand back on his and grab it tightly. If I had Mickey's nails, he'd be bleeding by now.
“Go to class, KJ,” I say. Everyone around gasps as the tension rises and Misty's still motionless. Chance and Nigel come over from the main quad and stand behind me. Nellie and Mickey follow suit. KJ, noticing the vibe is out of his control, finally lets go and storms off to class.
“I hope you know what you're doing,” Mickey says as they head to class.
“You should talk,” Nigel says to Mickey, and they are at it again. I can't get caught up in their drama today. I have to figure out a way to help Misty, and fast. She's in no condition to be at school. I know her mom didn't come to work again today, so how am I going to get this girl home? Mama. If I call her and tell her I need to come home and bring Misty with me, she'll know it's an emergencyâno questions asked. And that's just what I'm going to do.
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“Get that girl in here now,” Mama says, meeting us on the porch and cloaking Misty in a blanket. It's a chilly day and Misty's dressed like it's summertime. “What happened to her?” When Misty walks into our house, she sits down on the couch and looks around the room. It's as if she's never been to my house before, even though she used to hang out here often when we were friends. Everything seems new to her.
“I don't know, but she's not herself at all.” Mama takes one look at Misty and sits down on the couch. She looks worried and scared at the same time. I've never seen Mama look like this before. Something must be very wrong to turn Mama gray.
“Esmeralda,” Mama whispers. Her eyes wander out the window, staring at her enemy's house. She's got to be the one to leave the neighborhood, not Misty. I know Mama's got more tricks up her sleeve than she reveals, and so do I. I don't know what they are yet. But I'm going to find out before I go to sleep tonight. Enough is enough.
12
Trickin'
“I'm trickin' and I ain't making five hundred dollars/ What the hell fool?”
âLEXUS/
HUSTLE & FLOW
SOUNDTRACK
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M
ama's been in the spirit room for over an hour. She told me to stay with Misty, who's fast asleep on the sofa. She didn't want to eat or drink anything, but I'm hungry and there are leftovers from last night's fish dinner: just enough for one. And
General Hospital
is good today. Sonny and Carly are at it again, and Jason's right in the middle of it all, as usual. That's one thing I love about the soaps: if you miss them for a day or a year they're easy to catch up with.
“Jayd, what am I doing in your house?” Misty asks as she slowly comes back to life. “And what's that foul smell?”
“Fish. Do you want some?” I must be in a good mood to offer this girl a bite of my food, especially red snapper and hush puppies. If Misty didn't look so weak I wouldn't offer her a damn thing.
“No. I don't have much of an appetite. And you didn't answer my question. What am I doing here?” I knew she would be ungrateful, but forgetful I wasn't expecting. I hope Mama found something to help Misty, because she's really freaking me out. I can't believe I'm thinking this way, but I want the old Misty back.
“I see someone's feeling better,” Mama says, coming into the kitchen with what looks like a pitcher of lemonade. “Would you like something cold to drink, baby? It will make you feel better.” At first I want to ask for a glass myself. However, the look on Mama's face tells me this drinkâlike the cats' breakfastâwasn't made for me.
“Thanks, Mrs. James,” Misty says, accepting the tall glass Mama poured her. She drinks the cold potion down in three swift gulps. Mama promptly refills her glass for round two, smiling the entire time.
I can tell Mama's been up to more than juicing lemons by the way she's looking both at Misty and past her at Esmeralda's house. “I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother,” Mama says. Misty just nods her head and keeps drinking the lemonade like it's the best she's ever tasted. “So, how's your mom dealing with everything?”
“She's dealing,” Misty says. “I should probably call her and let her know where I am,” she says, nervously patting herself down, searching for her cell.
“It's in your purse,” I say, passing her the heavy bag from the floor by the dining room table. Noticing the door open across the driveway, I look at Mama, who instinctively walks over to where I'm standing so she can see what I see: Esmeralda coming out onto her porch. Mama smiles a sinister grin, removes her apron and steps out onto the front porch.
“Thank you, Jayd,” Misty says, taking her bag while I walk back to the front door to serve as a witness for the spiritual ass-whipping Esmeralda's about to get.
“Did I see Misty Truewell walk through your front door this morning?” Esmeralda says, almost whispering. Her cats surround her as if to serve as a force field to protect her from Mama's energy. I hope she knows by now that there's nothing that can protect her from my grandmother. Once she's got her eyes set on something, it's hers, good or bad. And, right now, Mama only has eyes for Esmeralda. “You know her people don't want you near that girl.”
“What goes on in my house is my business. And I told you to mind yours a long time ago. You should've heeded my warning then,” Mama says as she folds her arms across her chest, ready to fight. In her language, crossing your arms is tantamount to me taking my earrings off when it's time to get down. Before things can get real good, Misty joins us on the porch, purse and backpack in hand.
“My mom wants me to wait for her next door. Thank you for your hospitality,” she says, almost pushing me out of her way as she practically runs across the way to our neighbor's house. Esmeralda opens the gate, letting Misty in, and promptly closes it behind her. She looks victorious, like she's just won the battle between her and Mama. But little does she know the war has only just begun. And Mama never loses.
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“What was in that lemonade?” I ask her as I run my bath water before the rest of my uncles get home. Even with the short day at school it was still tiring, and I plan on turning in early tonight. By leaving at third period I missed the majority of my classes and drama rehearsal. But I did get my weekly assignments from English and I was able to finish the majority of them after Misty left a few hours ago.
“Water, lemons, and sugar, with a touch of honey,” Mama says while filing her nails while standing in the bathroom doorway. I hope she gets some rest tonight and turns in even before I do.
“Well, how come I couldn't have any? I was thirsty too,” I say, taking Mama's Esacada bubble bath and pouring it into my bath. I return the bottle to the medicine cabinet and she glares at me like I stole something.
“Because it wasn't for you. But there's plenty left in the refrigerator. Knock yourself out.” I walk out of Mama's room and grab my toiletries and pajamas from Daddy's room, interrupting Jay and Bryan, obviously talking about something they don't want me to hear because they stop chatting as soon as I walk in. Who says dudes don't gossip? I walk back to Mama's room to finish our conversation before I soak my stress away in the tub.
“Come on, tell me what you gave to Misty,” I say, wanting the full scoop.
“I just put some special honey in it to make her sweeter, so she wouldn't go off completely when she came to. You bringing her here wasn't the best idea, Jayd,” Mama says, reaching across her bed to get a small vial of pink liquid from the shrine. “Put this in your bathwater. It'll help cleanse you from whatever's riding Misty.” See, I knew she was up to something. I guess I can't be privy to everything Mama does. But I wish I could know more, for my own use. I still haven't been able to work on a remedy for Rah's problem, but I think Mama's got Misty's issues on lock.
“Well then, why did you let us come home?” I open the small bottle and take a whiff of the potion. It smells like cotton candy.
“Because of the urgency in your voice. Jayd, what you need to understand is that people have to desire our help for themselves. Misty's under Esmeralda's influence, which means there's nothing I can do for her unless she asks me to. Now yes, I could make a gris-gris for her or slip her a potion, but that would make me no better than Esmeralda, and that's not my style.”
“But Misty doesn't know any better, and neither does her mom,” I say, walking out of the bedroom and into the bathroom to turn off the bath water and empty the vial into it. It instantaneously fills the small room with its powerful aroma. “What's in this stuff?” I say, bringing the vial back to Mama, who's almost asleep.
“Good stuff. Now go soak and leave me alone, chile. I'm tired.” I grab my shower cap from the dresser, ready for a relaxing bath. I know when Misty comes back to her true senses all hell is going to break loose. “And Jayd, it's admirable that you want to save the world. Actually, it's in your blood,” she says, her emerald eyes quickly fading, but not before she gives me her final words of wisdom for the evening. “You can't save anyone but yourself, Jayd. Remember that and you'll avoid a lot of pain.”
As I walk into the bathroom, I can't help but think about Misty and how KJ treated her today. I know Mama's usually right, but this time I think she may be a little wrong. I helped Jeremy without him knowing, and that worked out in his favor, even though we broke up. But still, the cupcakes got him out of going to jail. Misty and Rah both need some supernatural help to get out of their situations and I'm going to find a way to help them before the night is over. I guess I won't be turning in early after all.
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After my bath, I creep into Mama's room to get the spirit book from behind the shrine. When she fed the Orishas and ancestors yesterday, she brought it into the house to look something up and forgot to put it back in the spirit room. Luckily Mama sleeps hard and I won't disturb her with my studies.
“Hey girl,” I say to a snoozing Lexi as I step over her to enter the backhouse. I love being in here at night. It's so quiet and peaceful. I wish Mama would let me sleep out here, but that'll never happen. We still live in the hood and no matter how much spiritual protection we have around us, common sense should always prevail. It's already nine o'clock and I want to get to bed a little early. I spent all evening out here last night and a girl needs her beauty sleep.
I turn to Maman's section and look through her potions for getting rid of ill luck. I need something that'll work for both of them tomorrow. I wish I had time to personalize each item I make. But, like Mama does with her clients, sometimes general is the best way to go.
“Unwebbed. I wonder what this is about,” I say, as Lexi settles into her position outside the screen door and makes herself comfortable. She knows better than anyone that once I set my mind to it, something's going to get made in this room.
“It says that Maman made this gris-gris when her clients got into situations that turned out the opposite of their expectations. It also says that the tiny satchel has to be placed outside the backdoor of the person's home.” Damn, that means I'm going to have to go back over to Misty's house to make sure this gris-gris takes effect. And I guess I'll have to wait until this weekend to deliver Rah's. Maman also gives specific instructions not to allow anyone to see where the bag is concealed. How am I going to get this bag hidden in Misty's yard without anyone noticing I'm there?
“Basil, honey, black peppercorns, three pennies and candy for the crossroads. I wonder what that's for?” I read further down, taking note of the remainder of the ingredients on the list, as well as the chant that I need to say when I find a place to put the charms. It's to Legba, the same Orisha Mama fed to get rid of Esmeralda. I must be onto something here. All I need is to find some fabric and string to tie up the ingredients in and to copy the chant down.
“This has got to work,” I say, collecting the glass jars full of herbs and other ingredients and placing them on the wooden work table. I'll drop Misty's gris-gris off first thing in the morning. I'll leave ten minutes early to make sure I can get in and out without being noticed. Knowing Misty, she'll be running late. Hopefully I can get this done before she leaves. It says here that it's important for the client to walk by the gris-gris before they start their day, to ensure their luck is planted firmly in their steps. I hope for Misty's sake it starts working tomorrow. KJ's got her on tilt and I can't stand watching him humiliate her any longer. Besides, she can be my guinea pig before I try this out on Rah. If it reverses Misty's luck, even though she doesn't deserve it, then I know it will help Rah get away from Trish for good.
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Rather than reset my regular alarm clock, I set my cell phone to wake me up early for this morning's adventure. I had to bury the bag in the yard overnight before planting it in Misty's yard, per Maman's final instructions. I can't wait to see if this charm bag will work. I hope nobody sees me, especially not Misty. If she found out that I was trying to help her like this, I'd never hear the end of it at school and around the neighborhood. And Mama would be completely pissed off.
“Jayd, why are you up so early?” Mama says groggily, not moving anything but her lips. I hate lying to Mama, but I can't tell her about this, not yet.
“I have some studying to do and I wanted to make sure I got in and out of the bathroom without any interference.” Satisfied with my answer for now, she dozes back off to sleep. She must be really tired to let me get away from her inquisition that easy.
I get up and stumble in the dark as I feel my way around the foot of the bed. I retrieve my clothes for the day, which are hanging on the back of the door, and my toiletries inside my backpack, making for a quick exit to start my busy day. Too bad it has to start out by trying to help Misty. But here goes nothing.
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I can't help but feel paranoid as I turn down Misty's block. The last time I was on Kemp, Felicia and her fellow hoodrats tried to jump me. It's barely six in the morning and not a soul is out this early around here. People are probably still in bed dreamingâgood dreams, I hope. I, on the other hand, am speed walking down the dimly lit street, praying no loose dogs chase me orâeven worseâblow my cover. I'm wearing my black Nike sweat suit with my hood pulled over my hair. I put my backpack under my jacket, just in case someone tries to identify me. The gris-gris is in my pocket and I'm ready to plant it and get on with the rest of my day.
When I reach Misty's yard, I look behind me to make sure the coast is clear and proceed to tiptoe toward the back. I see an empty planter behind the kitchen door. That'll be the perfect place to leave the small bag.
“Damn it,” I whisper as a fat gray cat crosses my path, resting on the back porch. “I didn't know Misty had a cat,” I say to myself as I walk up to the planter and lift it up, making sure the ground is dryâanother prerequisite for planting the charm. Before I can leave it here, I have to say the chant one time and then walk backwards until I reach the curb, to make sure the bad luck doesn't follow me when I leave the house. As I reach in my other pocket for the index card with the words on it, I feel like someone's watching me.