Hustlin' (14 page)

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Authors: L. Divine

BOOK: Hustlin'
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“You heard wrong, didn't she, Jayd? People are always misconstruing the origin of names. Take the name of my shop for example,” Netta says, ready to check everyone with a history lesson of her own. Ready for one of Netta's stories, the ladies settle down and give her the floor. Mrs. Robinson lifts her hair dryer after the bell rings, indicating it's done. She walks over to the Christmas tree and bends down, looking for a gift with her name on it, I assume.
“I like the name of your shop,” Mrs. Walker says, trying to get back on Netta's good side. “I never want to be nappy again. My man likes a smooth head and I like my bills paid, you know what I mean?”
Sounds to me like Mrs. Walker has a hustle of her own going on. She's got her nerve calling my folks gold diggers. But I don't have to say a word. I'll just concentrate on Mrs. Robinson's scalp and let Netta check the elders.
“Nappy. Where the hell did that word come from, Jayd? I'll tell you where it came from—slave masters, that's who. I was a pickaninny and all that, growing up. And when I saw myself in the mirror, I didn't like my reflection at all. Then, because of Oshune's grace, I began to love myself beyond the name calling.” Netta spins Mrs. Jenkins around in her chair to eye her work, which is perfect, as usual.
“All I'm saying is that women have to work to keep a man and to get the good ones in the first place. But there are some women who've got certain skills that decent women put limits on.”
Mrs. Walker's right. Some sistahs will do anything to get a man, especially if they think he's got money to spend on them. I have to separate myself from the rest of the crowd. My gold belongs to me and can't be usurped by anyone. Besides, there's a thin line between being a ho and being a pimp, and I intend to stay away from both ends of the spectrum. I'll enjoy Rah without the expectations that come with being taken care of by him, and Jeremy too. The only gold I'm digging for is my own. I just have to figure out a way to avoid being hurt by the women around me who don't share my sentiments, Rah's baby-mama being the first on my list to deal with today. I'll deal with Mickey tomorrow.
9
A Hustlin' Hussie
“Simple love's hard to come by/
I'm just living my life, and I'm trying to be a lady.”
—CHRISETTE MICHELE
 
 
 
A
fter dealing with a few more clients, Netta and I cleaned the shop, closed down the shrine and now we're ready to go home. Rather than wait with Netta and her husband while they puff on their cigarettes, I choose to chill up front. Rah and his baby girl should be here any minute. Usually babies love me, but this time is different. I'm nervous about meeting Rah's daughter.
When Rah pulls up, I notice the beautiful baby girl playing in the backseat. He's bought a brand new Eddie Bauer car seat for her to ride in. It's only the best for his little girl. Finally, I get to meet me Rah's baby girl.
“Rah's here. Bye, Netta,” I say, waving at her and her husband parked on the side of the shop not far from me. “And thank you for letting me come today. I learned a lot.” I also made my own hair sheen spritz. When I saw how glossy Mrs. Jenkins's hair looked after Netta sprayed it on her do, I had to hook myself up with a personal sample.
“No problem, little queen. And you did good. See you Tuesday,” Netta says as their silver Ford pickup pulls off down Greenleaf toward the farms.
“Hey Rah. Who is this stunning princess?” I open the door, placing my purse on the floor before getting in and turning around in my seat to face this little girl I've been hearing so much about. I quickly close my door to keep the cold evening air from entering the warm vehicle.
“Rahima, this is my girl, Jayd. Jayd, this is my baby girl, Rahima.”
Rahima looks at me curiously, taking in all of my facial features. I smile at her, doing the same thing myself. She mirrors my delight and I know I've won her over. And vice versa.
“I don't know about being your daddy's girl, but it's nice to finally meet you,” I say, reaching into the backseat to shake her chubby hand. Her tiny fingers grasp mine tightly as she smiles and tries to taste them. Rahima's finally real to me. “I've heard so much about you.”
“If she could, she'd say the same thing about you. Isn't that right, baby girl?” Rahima gives her daddy a big smile. They look just alike, beautiful smiles, dimples in their chocolate cheeks and all. The only thing she got from her mama is the lightening of her cocoa complexion. Even Rahima's eyes belong to Rah.
“I hope it's all good stuff your daddy shared with you.” I turn around and sit properly in my seat. Pulling my seatbelt across my lap, I look up at Rah, who's staring at me intently. Without saying a word, Rah pulls off toward the freeway, heading back to his house. I had a great day at work and am looking forward to a cool evening with Rah and Rahima.
“I rented some movies. I'd thought we could kick it at my house, order a pizza and just chill. Sound good?”
I lean back in my seat, reach behind to tickle Rahima's thick legs, and nod in approval of tonight's game plan. I couldn't have planned a more perfect night myself. To think Rah and I stopped talking when I found out he was hiding Rahima from me. Now, here we all are. Life's a trip and then some.
After spending all evening with Rahima and Rah, I am in love with the little girl. Rah couldn't deny her if he wanted to. She's the spitting image of her daddy, only a few shades lighter. Now I see why he never needed a paternity test to prove his fatherhood until Rah decided to go after full custody. Now here we are Christmas shopping with our best friends like the couple we used to be. We decided it would be a good way for me to make peace with Mickey, although I was reluctant at first. I'd rather just spend the day with Rahima and Rah, but making up with Mickey's important too.
From Rahima's calm and cheerful demeanor, I'd pay to get a maternity test if there were such a thing. Sandy's crazy ass doesn't fit anywhere in their picture-perfect family. At least Sandy let Rah pick out the name. Rahima's and Rah's names even mean the same thing: compassionate and merciful. It was also a way of permanently linking him to the baby, which was for Sandy's benefit more than a sweet thing to do. Sandy never does anything without thinking of herself first, kind of like how Mickey rolls.
Mickey and I haven't made up completely, but her checking her man for harassing me is a step in the right direction. But she still has a lot more ground to cover before we're completely cool again, starting with my signature on her letter. Mickey and Nigel need to take the heat off of me and the rest of their friends for their mistakes.
“Jayd, you're not going to lose your part in the stupid play,” Mickey says, looking at the Hot Dog on a Stick menu. Rah, Nigel and Rahima are seated at a nearby table. “To let Chance, Matt, and Seth tell it, you're the best thing since sliced bread.” Mickey orders for all of us, knowing what we each want. But there's a new addition she failed to include.
“And a cheese on a stick, fries and a small strawberry lemonade please.” I pull out the twenty Rah gave me to pay with and hand it over to Mickey.
“Damn, Jayd. Are you sure I'm the only one eating for two around here?” Mickey says, rubbing my belly. I am slightly bloated because I'm on my cycle, but my little pot belly is nothing compared to Mickey's bulge. If she wanted to, she would make a cute but pregnant Mrs. Claus, unlike the other imitators around the mall today.
Santa's helpers, elves, reindeer and the man himself are out in full force this afternoon. The mall's crowded and loud, with Christmas carolers singing loudly in every department store. My favorite holiday theme is in Macy's. They have a very modern Santa's Village look, with gold and white as their main colors. The ten-foot tree is covered with gold ornaments and the most stunning black angel was at the very top instead of the traditional star. The angel was so pretty I had to buy it for Mama.
“No, fool. You forgot to order for Rahima,” I say, looking over my shoulder to see Rah walking his daughter around the table with his hands without getting up himself. He's such a good daddy. Too bad he's had bad taste in girls in the past.
“But you didn't, did you, Mama Jayd?” Mickey takes the receipt and change, handing it all over to me. The guys always take turns paying when we go to the mall and because Rah's with me, I'm in charge of the money.
“Don't call me that. I'm not her mother.”
“No, but you know that's what she's going to be calling you soon enough. Mama Jayd, pick me up! Mama Jayd, can I have some candy?” Mickey says, mimicking a bratty child, probably much like the one she's going to give birth to.
“Whatever, Mickey. All I know is that if I lose my part, you have to name your baby after me, I don't care if it's a boy either,” I say, pushing Mickey in the arm. The Westside Pavilion is definitely a mall for the well-to-do. I rarely get to come this far west into the city and am glad for the chance. Mickey, on the other hand, has complained the entire day because this mall doesn't have the same stores that are in the Fox Hills Mall. But the food court has her favorite mall foods, so she's content for now.
I'm too caught up in Christmas shopping for Rahima to care about much else. I went a little crazy walking through Macy's when Rah and Nigel took her with them to look at the latest video games. I was supposed to be going to the bathroom and ended up purchasing some cute dresses for Rahima that were on sale. I didn't know her size exactly, so I got them in a three-toddler. That way she can grow into them if they're way too big.
Nigel walks over to help me carry the trays of food back to our table. With him around, Mickey doesn't have to lift a hand. It must be nice to have a man who worships you like Nigel does Mickey. I know his ex-girl Tasha's hating on Mickey big time. She lost out, for real. If I know girls, Rah's ex Trish is providing her girl with all of the details of Nigel and Mickey's love affair like a true best friend.
When we all sit down, ready to grub, Rahima's the first one to dig in. She takes the fries in her hands and stuffs them in her mouth.
“Easy, mommy,” I say, reaching across the table to where Rahima's seated in her daddy's lap, taking a few of the potatoes away from her and putting them down on the napkin in front of her. Nigel and Mickey look at me and then at each other, smiling at the Kodak moment.
“So what's in the bags?” Rah asks, eyeing the Macy's bags on the floor next to my chair.
“Just a few gifts.” It didn't take much for me to spend all of my tips. But I still have the money I made from doing hair last night, and my regular pay from Netta. “What size clothes does she wear?”
Rah looks down at Rahima like he can tell by eyeing her. Last night I got to know all about her: what her favorite food is, how she likes her blanket, and her ticklish spots. I changed her diaper more often than her daddy, but didn't think to check out her size. “Here, let me,” I say, rising from my seat after taking another bite of my corndog and reaching over the table to gently check the tag on the back of her dress. She smiles big and initiates a peek-a-boo game, which I can't resist.
“Okay, you two. We have some serious eating to do and we're running out of time.” Rah opens his arms, letting her lie across his hands and face me completely. She's the cutest little girl I've ever seen.
“She started it,” I say, giggling with Rahima while her daddy fights off cracking a big smile. I know he's too happy to have his baby girl back in his life, and after paying a fertility clinic five hundred dollars yesterday, he can now prove to the courts that she belongs with him.
“Don't the three of y'all make a happy little family?” Mickey says, slurping the last of her lemonade down while Nigel eyes all of her shopping bags. She didn't find exactly what she wanted, but it looks like she got off to a good start. “Where's a camera when you need one?”
“On my cell,” Nigel says, snapping a shot of us before we can protest. “I'll send it to y'all.”
Rah looks down at me and then at his daughter. I know what he's thinking: Sandy will never let us happen. But Sandy's not the only one with the ability to get her hustle on to get what she wants out of life. I was doubtful about Rah's ability to take care of Kamal and Rahima. But after seeing them together, I'm convinced now that being with her daddy is the best thing for Rahima.
“Okay, it's already one-thirty. We'd better get going if we're going to be back in Compton before five.” Rah has to meet Sandy at his grandparents' house at five-thirty. I know he doesn't want to give her back, but he doesn't have much choice. She's already called three times to see where he is. Rah didn't tell Sandy I was with them, but I'm sure she figured it out and isn't too pleased about it.
“Alright, man. But you need to stop by my house for a minute and get that new microphone for the sound booth if you're going to hook it up tonight,” Nigel says. They're replacing some of the old studio equipment to make their demo sound even tighter. With Rah as the producer and Nigel rhyming, they make a good team. They both have their hustle and their flow in order. Unlike some other brothas I know, Nigel and Rah grow in their game, perfecting it as they move along. And that's what separates them from the rest of the crowd, which also makes them attractive to many people, including groupies.
“Alright man. We'll catch you at the crib.” Mickey rubs her round belly, holding Nigel's arm securely.
We all clean up our table and head toward the escalators. We parked in different lots and will separate here. Mickey winks at me as I hold on to Rah while he's carrying his baby. Maybe Mickey's onto something with this teen romance thing.
I know it's not as easy as it looks, but maybe this family thing isn't so bad, after all. Mickey's parents have been together since high school, with many babies along the way. Maybe Rahima will bring me and Rah closer together; who knows what the future holds? At the moment, I have to give her back just like Rah does, and we both want to postpone that for as long as we possibly can.

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