LITMIR.BIZ

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thing for Jayd, but Jayd can’t stand to be anywhere near him.

      Nigel

      The new quarterback on the block, Nigel is a friend of Jayd’s from junior high and also Rah’s best friend, making Jayd’s world even smaller at South Bay High. Nigel is the star football player and dumped his ex-girlfriend at Westingle (Tasha) to be with his new baby-mama-to-be, Mickey. Jayd is caught up in the mix as a friend to them both, but her loyalty lies with Nigel because she’s known him longer and he’s always had her back.

      Chance

      The rich, white hip-hop kid of the crew, Chance is Jayd’s drama homie and Nellie’s boyfriend, if you let him tell it. He used to have a crush on Jayd and now has turned his attention to Nellie for the time being. Chance’s dreams of being black come true when he discovers he was adopted. His biological mother is half black, and his birth name is Chase.

      Bryan

      The youngest of Mama’s children and Jayd’s favorite uncle, Bryan is a dj by night and works at the local grocery store during the day. He’s also an acquaintance of both Rah and KJ from playing ball around the hood. Bryan often gives Jayd helpful advice about her problems with boys and hating girls alike. Out of all of Jayd’s uncles, Bryan gives her grandparents the least amount of trouble.

      Jay

      Jay is more like an older brother to Jayd than her cousin. He lives with Mama, but his mother (Mama’s youngest daughter, Anne) left him when he was a baby and never returned. He doesn’t know his father and attends Compton High. He and Jayd often cook together and help Mama around the house.

      Contents

      Prologue

      1. Say What?

      2. Cup of Tea

      3. Stretch Marks

      4. Ladies of Leisure

      5. Backstabber

      6. School Daze

      7. Hamburger Helper

      8. Growing Pains

      9. Pushin’

      10. Mama’s Day

      Epilogue

      A Reading Group Guide

      Discussion Questions

      Prologue

      Ever since I left Rah’s house Friday evening he’s been blowing my cell up and I just don’t have the energy to deal with his bull. Mama and I have been cooking all afternoon, providing me with the perfect distraction. After eating a slamming dinner of chicken, rice, greens, and cornbread, a sistah is stuffed. All I really want to do is pass out on my mom’s couch and watch television for the rest of the night, but I doubt Mama’s letting me go anytime soon. Since moving out of Mama’s house a few weeks ago to live at my mom’s apartment, Mama’s made it her personal mission to keep me here as long as she possibly can on my now regular Sunday visits. And as long as I can get a good meal out of it I won’t protest too much, even if the itis is setting in.

      “Jayd, hand me that white fabric on the table, please,” Mama says from where she’s seated on the floor across from the kitchen table. I stack the last of the clean dishes on the rack, dry my hands off on one of the yellow kitchen towels hanging from the cabinet above the sink, and hand her the stack of folded cloth.

      “Thank you,” Mama says, taking the cotton fabric and placing it in one of several large bags sitting on the bamboo mat around her. Mama’s in full initiation mode and with the weather officially warming up, it’s just the beginning of her busy season as the head priestess in charge. All of the spiritual houses in Los Angeles County and beyond call on Mama’s expertise, and I get to tag along as her assistant, even when I don’t especially feel like it. I sit down in one of the chairs at the table and fan my face with my hand. It’s a warm evening and with the way we threw down, the spirit room is still hot from the stove being on all day.

      “Well, I guess I’d better get ready for the bembé,” I say, looking up at the clock on the wall. We’ve been back here for hours, eating, talking, and laughing. The sweet spell I put on her and my mom at Daddy’s church on Easter a couple of weeks ago has worked its magic and I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. I missed the last spiritual party celebrating the end of an initiation because of Misty’s trifling ass. I’m not initiated yet and can’t participate in all of the ins and outs of the rituals, but as Mama’s apprentice I help in every other way. I was secretly hoping I’d start my cycle so I wouldn’t have to help tonight, but no such luck. Any other time I’d be bleeding all over the place, but it’s late this month. I wanted to take the time to catch up on my spirit work, focusing on my latest acquisition. Possessing my mom’s gift of sight is a trip, and I want to learn more about controlling it. Keeping my newfound powers a secret has been no easy task, but so far, so good.

      “I think your ashe is still too vulnerable to attend any spiritual festivities tonight, but there will be another bembé soon,” Mama says, unknowingly granting my silent wish. She opens the spirit book sitting next to her and directs me to sit across from her on the mat. “Read that section and take a honey bath when you get…home,” she says, faltering on her last word. Tears cloud Mama’s jade eyes and fall to the page, permanently smudging the ancient black ink.

      “Oh, Mama,” I say, reaching across the mat to hug my grandmother. I hate it when she cries. “I miss you, too.” And I do. I also miss my grandfather Daddy, my cousin Jay, and my crazy uncle Bryan. It’s the rest of the fools up in the house, my other uncles, I’m glad to be rid of.

      “Why do I lose all of my girls?” Mama asks, holding me tightly. The faint scent of garlic and rosemary drifts up from her apron, tickling my nose. Both of her daughters moved out the first chance they got, and so did I. I can’t speak for Jay’s mama or mine, but Mama has to realize how hard it is being the only young woman in a houseful of men.

      “It’s not you. But living with all these dudes is a bit much,” I say, holding on to Mama for one more second before letting go. Mama looks into my eyes, and I into hers, trying to use my mom’s cooling gifts on her mind, but it’s still no use. Mama’s too powerful for my tricks. Luckily for me, her head’s too hot with emotions to detect my attempted intrusions.

      “I’d better get dressed before Netta gets here,” Mama says, rising from the floor and making her way to the door. It’s hard for Mama to understand why everyone can’t be as strong as she is, just like I can’t understand for the life of me why she chooses to stay with a husband who cheats on her and trifling sons who don’t respect her house.

      “Maybe you and I can get a place of our own,” I say.

      Mama smiles and kisses me on the cheek. “You are so sweet. And so young,” she says, taking three of the bags and directing me to claim the other three from the mat.

      I follow her out of the spirit room and into the main house. It’s still too early in the evening for my uncles to come home and Daddy’s probably having dinner at the church where he’s the pastor. Bryan and Jay are watching television in the living room and look less than enthusiastic to see us walk through the kitchen door. We set the bags down on the dining room table, checking to make sure we’ve got everything.

      “Have fun, Mama, and tell Netta I said hi,” I say, kissing her on the cheek. Jay and Bryan look up and wave before returning their attention to the Bernie Mac rerun on the screen.

      “Will do, baby, and see you tomorrow afternoon at work,” Mama says, quickly hugging me before heading to her room to get dressed for the party. I’m sure she’ll look brilliant in her all-white clothing, as always. “And don’t forget your spirit work, Jayd,” Mama yells from her room. Little does she know that’s all I can think about. I’m looking forward to looking through the spirit book for more information on my mom’s powers and clues as to how I can keep them. I have to be careful not to tip her or my mom off, or my new sight will be gone before I can master it, and I’m not

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