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of steady income,” I say, getting up from my seat at the dryers and walking over to Netta’s stool. I think I’ll have more influence if I hug her up a little bit.

      “Uh oh, I smell a plot,” Mama says as Netta sprays oil sheen all over Mama’s hair, creating a sweet-smelling mist in the air. She and Mama make the best hair products.

      “Not a plot, a proposal,” I say, handing Netta the plan I typed up this morning at break. “I want to work here part-time, Fridays to start and Saturdays once I get my own wheels. I can be your apprentice,” I say, putting my arm around her shoulders as she looks over my work.

      “Jayd, how is working here one day a week going to help you get your license?” Mama says. I expected some opposition from her, especially since I’ve been slacking in my spirit work. But she knows I need a job and this is the best place for me to perfect my braiding skills.

      “Well, as the plan outlines in detail…” I say, ready to make my case. I’ve been practicing my speech for days: “If I start out at seven dollars an hour working ten hours a week, plus tips, I’ll be able to save enough for a nice down payment on a car, and insurance, by my birthday.”

      “Jayd, I’ve always worked alone,” Netta says, putting down my paper before taking Mama’s robe off. “But I could use some help around here. I’ll think about it.” Yes. That’s all I needed to hear. I know her and Mama will go back and forth about it for a couple of days. But with Netta on my side, I know I can make this work. I may not need my father’s help after all and I know that’ll be a big plus for Mama. For now, I’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I can’t wait to tell Rah the good news.

      3

      Waiting

      “How long has it been/ It seems like a mighty long time.”

      —BARBARA LEWIS

      Mama and I hardly spoke a word to each other when we walked home yesterday afternoon. I hope she lets me work with Netta, if Netta decides to hire me. My final paycheck from Simply Wholesome should be at my mom’s house when I get there on Friday, but that’s two days away and a sistah’s broke now. Luckily I don’t have to worry about lunch for the next few weeks while we’re rehearsing for the play. But after that I’m going to be eating bananas all day until I can get some steady money flowing in.

      Speaking of money, I wonder if my Uncle Bryan will let me borrow some cash to tide me over until I get my check, if need be. He’s been in such a generous mood lately and it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

      “I don’t know if I feel comfortable letting you borrow money from me without a job, Jayd. That’s bad business,” Bryan says while he picks his Afro in the mirror. It’s bad enough I didn’t make it to the bathroom before him this morning. Now I have to hear his perpetually broke ass lecture me about money. Ain’t this some mess?

      “Man, please,” I say, pushing him aside to enter the steamy room. “You’re the last person to give financial counseling to anyone. As much money as you borrow from me, I need to start charging your ass interest,” I say, handing him his toiletry bag and towel while pointing him out the door. He can finish picking his Afro while he smokes a spliff in his broke-down van like he does every morning before he goes to work.

      “You’re right,” he says, putting his foot in the door and preventing me from slamming it in his face. “So how about we make a deal? You can work for it by braiding my hair.”

      “Bryan, I’ve been trying to get you to pay me for hooking your bush up forever. Why the sudden change of heart?” It would be nice if he and a couple of his homies became my steady clients. Then I could really impress Netta with my skills and make some good money.

      “Well, my new girl likes a neat man so I have to clean up my appearance a little. You know, just until I get the panties,” he says, laughing at his own disgusting reasoning. I should’ve slammed the door on his foot while I had the chance.

      “Bryan, you make me sick.” Why are dudes so foul when it comes to sex? Are there any mature guys left in the world?

      “So is that a yes or a no? I need the hook-up and I trust your hands. How about today after school? Don’t act like you have something better to do,” Bryan says, opening the door to his room and creeping in so he doesn’t disturb Daddy and Jay sleeping.

      “I’m not going to help you deceive some innocent girl into believing you’re an upstanding young man when you’re just as trifling as the dogs I have to deal with,” I whisper before closing the bathroom door. I’ve wasted enough time talking to my uncle. His shady reasoning has put me in a bitter mood and I still have the rest of the day to go. I avoided drama yesterday by keeping to myself. But that isn’t going to fly today and I need to be as calm as possible to deal with school.

      “My girl doesn’t need to know all of that. Why I do what I do is my business. And besides, this one’s special. She might be your auntie one day. And if it works out, it’s for your benefit. You’ll have a regular customer for life,” he says, coming back out of the room wearing a pair of wrinkled black Enyce sweats with a T-shirt to match. He throws his hoodie over his left shoulder before snatching his backpack from behind the bedroom door, heading outside.

      “And what if y’all break up? You won’t need my skills then and I’ll be out of my regular pay.” Having steady clientele is no joke. That’s how a stylist eats and if I am going down that road, I’ve got to show him I mean business.

      “Well, I’ll still come to you when I want to look extra flyy,” Bryan says, kissing me on the cheek while I set up my beauty tools on top of the closed toilet seat. At least when I’m at my mom’s place, she has enough counter space for all my products. I barely have enough space for my lotion, deodorant, hair spray, and other toiletries, let alone extra room for the rest of my hair utensils. Depending on the day, I may need more to maintain my style than the cramped room allots.

      “Fine, after school and it’s twenty dollars. Cash only,” I say. I actually feel relieved to have some income coming in this afternoon. This way I don’t have to worry about buying my snacks throughout the day. I have AP meetings today and need the sugar to make it through.

      “Cool, Jayd. And just to show how much love I’ve got for you, we’ll name our first girl after you.” He can be so silly sometimes. And knowing my luck, he’ll probably have all boys, if they have any children at all.

      “Never mind all that. Just get me my money and I’ll be satisfied,” I say, finally closing the door to get started with my morning routine. It’s strange not having a boyfriend to dress up for anymore. I want to look good always, of course, but I don’t have to worry about every single detail of my gear because no one’s going to be that close to me at school. I wish I knew what was up with Rah and his silent treatment. I should’ve asked Bryan if he’s heard from him, since that is one of his regular connections for herb, but he’s already outside and I have to get ready before I’m late for school. I’ll have to remember to have a talk with Nigel when I get to campus.

      My first two periods went by okay except for the fact that Mrs. Malone hasn’t finished grading my paper yet. I’m anxious to find out how I did on the rewrite. Maybe she’ll have it for me at the AP meeting today at lunch, since the meeting at break was cancelled because Mrs. Bennett is absent today. I guess the AP English world comes to a halt without the chief bitch on staff to lead it. Her students must be happy to have a day without their shrew. I wonder if Mr. Adewale is sitting in for her classes.

      “Jayd,” Mickey says coming up behind me and practically pulling me away from my locker before I have a chance to lock it good. “Meeting in the ladies’ room. Now.” Whatever it is must be good if we’re meeting in the bathroom. That’s our spot to chat when we don’t want anyone else to hear.

      When we get inside, Nellie’s primping in the mirror, even if her look is already flawless. The bathroom is fresh and cleaner than our bathroom at home. There’s a couch in the small hallway leading to the sinks and stalls. All of the bathrooms on campus are

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