LITMIR.BIZ

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side of town,” Nellie says, expressing my sentiments exactly. “Why couldn’t you just bring my sweater to school when I first asked you to?”

      “Because I forgot. What’s the big deal? You only live five minutes away from here,” Mickey says. “And Jayd, doesn’t your daddy live over here somewhere?” Mickey intones, recalling my first visit to her crib where I mentioned I was familiar with her hood. Most of my friends from my old school, Family Christian, live out this way, including Rah’s grandparents.

      “Yeah, he lives by the old Lynwood High.” Even though my dad lives directly behind the Compton Swap Meet, his side of town is considered Lynwood and he’s very proud of not actually living in the city of Compton, just like Nellie.

      “Want to stop by and give him a shout-out?” Mickey says, making light of the fact me and my dad barely speak. I haven’t seen him since we went to a family picnic together a couple of months ago. He called and left a message afterwards but I never did return his call. I’ll make sure to give him a call tomorrow. Even if I can’t stand the man, he’s still my father and my elder, which means I have to respect him, or so he says to me all the time.

      “We don’t have time for family visits or any other kinds of stops. I need to get home and touch up my hair,” Nellie says, tucking a wayward strand behind her ear before silencing her ringing cell.

      “Nellie, you act like you live in another county,” Mickey says pulling into her driveway where her family’s outside kicking it. “You live right up the street from me, same area code and all.”

      “Yeah, but you live in Compton and I live in Rosewood. Very different energies between the two places,” she says, sounding as bougie as ever. I knew Nellie’s foul experience with Tania and her crew wouldn’t have a permanent effect on the diva in our girl.

      “Yeah, whatever. Tell that to the brothas who’ve pledged their lives to the streets of Compton, right on your block,” says Mickey, and she would know. Her younger brothers and her man are in that category. And speaking of which, her man pulls up right behind Mickey’s car, blocking us in. This trip isn’t going to be as quick as I anticipated.

      “Ah damn,” Mickey says, turning off the engine and opening the car door. “I was supposed to call him after school and forgot.” She didn’t forget as much as she was distracted by her other man ballin’. Mickey better tighten her game or she’s going to be in more trouble than she can handle.

      “How long are you going to keep this juggling act going, Mickey? You know you’re playing with fire,” I say. I don’t mean to sound like her mama, but damn. I’m being put in an uncomfortable situation no matter how it goes and personally, I’m sick of it.

      “I know you’re not talking,” Mickey says, looking at me through the rearview mirror before getting out. And she’s right. I’m slightly torn between Jeremy and Rah still. But at least I’m not playing anyone. The way she’s working the game, it can only end up bad for everyone involved.

      “Mickey, where you been? I told you to call me when you got out of class,” her man says, getting out of his car without even turning it off. Mickey’s man is hotter than hot and that ain’t good. Nellie and I watch it all go down as her family members ignore the dramatic scene. I guess this happens on a daily basis around here. Mickey’s man takes a large step toward her and snatches her by the arm, making her drop the new cell phone in her hand. I wonder if he knows it was a gift from Nigel.

      “Damn boo, chill,” she says, pulling away from him and going for her phone on the ground. But it’s no use. He grabs her arm again, this time tighter, and pulls her in closer so she can’t get away.

      “Who you messing with, Mickey, huh?” he says, smelling her hair like a dog. What the hell? If a dude ever tried that shit with me, his days would be numbered. “What’s his name?”

      “Damn, nigga, calm down. It ain’t even like that,” Mickey says, trying to save face. How she keeps her lies straight I’ll never know. “We just got here and I have to run inside and get something for Nellie before I take my girls home.” He looks inside the car and sees Nellie and me looking dead at him. I wish I had Esmeralda’s eyes right about now. I’d like to give him a headache from hell like only she can.

      “Whatever, Mickey. I know you been screwing somebody else and I’m going to find out who it is, one way or another. Get your ass in the house and get whatever it is you need to get. We’ll take your girls home together,” he says, pushing her toward the front door. He sounds more like her daddy than her man. But I guess since her dad’s too busy working two jobs to support his extra-large family, her man’s the only regular father figure she’s got.

      “I don’t want to ride in the car with him,” Nellie says, looking at me with a panicked expression. “And I don’t want him knowing where I live. What do we do?” she says, turning around in her seat and digging in her purse for her phone again.

      “I don’t know what you’re going to do, but I’m taking the bus home like I should’ve done in the first place,” I say, taking my bus pass out of my purse and putting it in my jacket pocket. “Now, let me out so I can get my stroll on.”

      “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

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