Courtin' Jayd (13 page)

“Well then, how do you explain me catching gonorrhea when the only guy I've ever been with is clean? I know you put a spell on me or something, Jayd.” Did I just hear her right? She really thinks that KJ's creeping ass isn't the culprit?

“Oh come on, Misty,” I say, spinning my head around in disbelief. “Even you can't be that gullible.” But from the expression on her face, she is. “KJ's lying to you and you're stupid enough to take the blame. Oh no, wait. You're stupid enough to blame me.” This is too much for me this early in the morning. We still have a good half hour left on this ride and I don't want to spend it arguing with her.

“I knew I should've thrown away that evil charm bag but I was too afraid. And now look what you've done to me,” she says, throwing the gris-gris at me. I never thought about what to do with it if someone doesn't want it. I'll have to ask Mama about that later. Right now I have to get her to shut up once and for all.

“Misty, if I really am the one causing the plagues on your ass then do you think it's smart to throw shit at me?” I don't mean to use my spiritual lineage to instill fear but the potion ain't working and I need some peace. I pick up the small charm bag from my lap and put it into my purse along with my oil. Misty backs off for right now but I know she's already planning her revenge. Hopefully, Mama can give me some pointers on how to make the potion strong enough to repel Misty. Until then, intimidation will have to do. She thinks I'm to blame for her cookies crumbling and that can only mean she's reached a point of total desperation and a desperate Misty is a dangerous thing.

 

I managed to avoid Misty and her drama as well as my girls and theirs for the rest of the day. Nellie's busy with her ASB duties and Mickey's busy keeping Nigel wrapped up in their instant family world. What I'd give for a day with no issues to dodge.

When I get to Netta's shop, the first thing we discuss is Misty's ridiculous accusations against me. It's bad enough she thinks I'm trying to harm her, but spreading her nonsense around school and the neighborhood just can't happen anymore. The girl has gone too far with this one and I have a feeling it's going to go even further if I don't check her ass immediately.

“You need to treat Misty like air Jayd. You know she's there but you don't see or hear her.” Mama's on point with that one. There's nothing like talking to Mama and Netta at the same time. It's like getting two different yet equally powerful bits of wisdom about any topic. And banishing Misty and her crazy family is one of their favorites.

“That's probably how that child got her name. They knew she was going to be a hot air dispenser and they couldn't give her a name like steam or vapor, so they chose Misty. And if you think about it, mist is more annoying than hot air, ain't that right, Lynn Mae?” Netta's crazy but in a cool way. She says all the things Mama would say if she weren't trying to set a good example for me. Netta, being outside the mother role for me, can be as real as it gets with me.

“I think she'd be annoying no matter what we call her. And she threw the gris-gris I made for her back in my face like it was a pair of dirty panties,” I say, taking the pretty gold bag out of my purse. It's all torn and mangled now, but the sparkly satin fabric is still luminescent of its true intent. “I just wanted to help.”

“I know you did, baby. But you can only help yourself, Jayd. Clients have to take the first step by asking for the help they need. It's the initial sacrifice that sets the tone for the blessings to come.” I know Mama's right as usual but I can't help feeling a little bit responsible for those around me. Maybe I could've called KJ out more for his trifling behavior.

“But what about people who can't ask for it. Don't we have an obligation to help them?” Netta's eyes meet Mama's as they stare in the mirror at each other and then at me. Netta sighs deeply and Mama takes a breath. I guess I'm more naïve about this priestess thing than I think.

“No,” Mama says plain and simple. Netta raises her eyebrows at me and smiles slightly, nodding her head in agreement with Mama. “You have to have faith in your path, Jayd, and that doesn't include trying to fix the world around you.” She reaches for the charm bag I made and I delicately pass it to her. I remember as a child Mama used to make me little charm bags for my dolls to sleep in. I guess I've always been fascinated with Mama's work. I just never knew how serious it was.

“Misty thinks my gris-gris caused her gonorrhea.” Saying it aloud sounds even stupider than Misty thinking of it in the first place.

“Gonorrhea,” they say simultaneously. Mama looks down at the unlucky charm bag and shakes her head. She tucks it between her breasts—like she does her money and other important stuff—and closes her eyes. I hope she's praying because I could use some of Mama's influence with the Creator right now.

“Oh Lord Lynn Mae, that girl's gone completely mad. Her grandmother dying and her mama going to Esmeralda has made her lose her mind.” Netta throws a clean drape over Mama's chest before leading her to the washbowl.

“Exactly. That's why I want to make up for it.”

Mama looks at me before submerging her head in the warm water Netta's gently spraying over her hair. I know she knows what I'm thinking about doing and disapproves.

“Jayd, you can waste as much time as you want making things for that girl but it's not your problem. It's not going to work if you don't walk in the faith of what you made. That's like someone making a protection charm to keep them out of harm's way and then standing in front of a train. It's not magic, I keep telling you that. It's plain common sense. You need protection from what you can't control, like other people. You also need wisdom to help protect yourself from yourself, catch my drift?”

“Why are you always worried about that girl anyway?” Netta says, scrubbing the effervescent lather through Mama's scalp. Coming from the shelter, she was late for her appointment today. Since Mama doesn't drive she's dependent upon others for rides because she also refuses to take the bus. If she can't walk to where she needs to go or hitch a ride, she says it's not meant for her to be there.

“I'm not worried about her per se,” I say, defending my stance. “It's just that no girl should have to go through this type of fire by herself. It's awful what they're saying about her.” Mama looks up at me in disbelief, almost allowing shampoo to drip down her face and into her eyes before Netta forces her head back into the sink.

“Jayd, how many times do you have to get burned because of that girl before you'll see she means you no good? Even I can't help you if you constantly choose to put yourself directly in the line of fire,” Mama practically shouts at me. “It's her fire, Jayd. Let her go through it alone.”

“But she kept the gris-gris. Doesn't that mean she still wants my help?”

Netta looks at me from the bowl and rolls her eyes at me. If I did that to her or Mama I'd be seeing stars, and I don't mean Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

“Or it could mean she's setting you up, Jayd. Open your eyes and listen, girl,” Mama says with her head still bent back in the sink. “Enemies are real and they don't wake up one morning, decide you were actually trying to help them, and want to return the favor by trusting you.”

“And it could mean that she's afraid to throw it away because she knows how powerful you really are, no matter what she believes,” Netta adds. She sounds like she's speaking from experience. “Just leave her alone and concentrate on making sweet charms for you and your loved ones.”

“Speaking of charms, how's Rah's tea working?” Mama asks. Damn, how'd she find out about that? I know she reads my spirit notebook sometimes to check on my progress but I wasn't specific about my creation this time. She lifts her head slightly and grins at my shocked look.

“Girl, now you know I measure every single thing in my spirit room. Did you really think you could be in there and I wouldn't know about it? Just because I don't tell you everything I know doesn't mean you've gotten away with anything, little girl.” Mama sits up fully as Netta combs the strawberry-scented conditioner through her head. The sweet aroma puts me in a better mood.

“And that goes for me in this shop too,” Netta adds, waving the comb around the bright place. “I know where everything is and how much of it is there. It's your job to keep up with it now.” Netta directs me to open the large closet taking up one wall of the quaint shop. I open the sliding door to find a personalized Netta's Never Nappy Beauty Shop apron for me.

“Oh Netta, thank you,” I say, running over to give her a hug. “I'll be the best helper you've ever had.”

“You'll be the only helper I've ever had. And I know you'll do a good job. You just have to stay clear of all this mess, girl. And we're going to help you do just that.” I'm glad someone is because I'm not doing a very good job all by myself.

 

After meeting with Netta and Mama I decide to walk home early to get a head start on my homework. Because it's a short week my teachers have piled on extra work and I don't want to be stuck doing it all over the holiday. When I turn onto Gunlock, I notice a black Monte Carlo parked across the street from our house. As I get closer I see personalized plates revealing it's Mickey's man. What the hell is he doing at my house and how did he find out where I live? First Trish and now this fool. Are my addresses listed in the yellow pages or something?

“Can I help you?” I say walking up to his car. Mama always told me not to have any fear, especially not at home. And this punk doesn't scare me just for the sake of it.

“Yes, or so I've heard.” He steps out of the driver's seat and walks around to rest on his hood. I don't like the sound of this. “Rumor has it you can read the future and shit.”

“Is this rumor's name Misty?” I ask, unmoved from my spot in front of him. I glance at my house and see no one outside but I feel like someone's watching me.

“That's not the point. I want to hire you to tell me if Mickey's cheating on me and if she's pregnant.” He looks down at me, smiling a sinister grin while taking a cigarette from behind his ear and lighting it. I hope he chokes on the smoke.

“That's the stupidest shit I've heard all day and it's been an extra long day. I don't have time for this.” I have to get in the house and warn Mickey that her man's on to her and that Misty's involved me in it. Misty knew he wouldn't take her word for it so she directed him my way. That girl's just asking for my wrath.

“You're right. So why don't you just tell me what I want to know. I know you two talk.” He's standing so close to me I can smell the beer on his breath along with his stank smokes. He looks down at me like I'm an oversize steak he wants to devour. I'm about to make him a vegetarian though, because this sistah can't be eaten alive.

“Why don't you ask Nellie? They're closer than we are.” I walk across the street and toward the front porch, trying to get away from him as quickly as I can. When I reach the first step, Esmeralda's door opens and Misty's mom steps out and gives me an evil glare before picking up a watering can and going back inside the strange house. I knew I was being watched. Am I going to have to see them next door on a regular basis from now on?

“Because Nellie's not as cute as you are,” he says, following me. “And I know you know better than to say no to me, don't you Jayd?” He licks his lips at me and attempts to take another step forward but I give him a look so intense that it stops him in his path.

“Go back to your side of the tracks. This is my hood and I can't be threatened over here,” I say to Mickey's man. He's really got his nerve stepping in my yard. If Mama were here he'd be in some serious pain by now.

“You don't even know my name, do you, little witch girl?” he says. I see he's heard about my new nickname. “That's because it's so powerful I'd have to cut your tongue if you spoke it aloud.” This brotha is too full of himself. I've read about certain Orisha and Ancestors whose names are sacred in that way, but I doubt that his is one of them.

“Go home before you find out how I got my nickname,” I say. Like Misty, he needs more than the normal threat to make him disappear.

“Think about what I said. I'll be back for my reading. You might even like doing it with me.” What the hell? Now how am I supposed to treat that fool like air? I wish I were like a breeze that would just blow away from this dramatic state of affairs I've found myself in. It doesn't matter if I'm at school, my mom's house, or here at home: drama seems to follow me no matter where I end up.

M
ama didn't get home until late last night and went straight to bed. I didn't tell her about my surprise visit from Mickey's man yesterday and don't plan to. She has enough to worry about. Working at the shelter makes Mama feel like she has another purpose outside of the house and her work as a priestess. Sometimes I suspect Mama just wants to blend in like everyone else and I know just how she feels.

No matter what school I go to or what job I have, I'm always separate from the crowd and not by anything of my own doing. Well, at least not consciously. When I was at Caldwell Elementary up the street I was bullied until I spit on one of the girl's feet and chanted a verse like I'd seen Mama do to Esmeralda one day when she didn't know I was looking. Needless to say my last year there was the most powerful of all but still filled with drama. Then at Family Christian I couldn't get down with their philosophies even though I mastered their teachings and learned about my own ancestors' powerful spiritual lineage from Mama at the same time.

Now here I am all the way in South Bay and I can't escape dealing with the madness that's ever present at this school too. Nellie told me a few minutes ago at break that she's going to tell Nigel about Mickey's baby-daddy doubts the first chance she gets. And Misty has decided to let everyone know just the kind of witch I really am, causing her bad luck and all. It's only third period and I'm ready to get my long weekend started. Jeremy isn't at school today and neither is half the student population. I guess Thanksgiving starts early for people truly giving thanks for the day. For me, it's just another long-ass day of school.

“Hello, Jayd. How are you doing today?” Mr. Adewale asks. Seeing him as Mrs. Peterson's substitute is all I needed to make this day turn around for the better. Thank God for small pleasures in life.

“Good morning, Mr. A. Oh, I mean Mr. Adewale.” He smiles at my pretend slip-up and doesn't seem offended at all. Maybe he'll let me call him Mr. A after all. “So when will you have your own class?” I sit down in the seat closest to the teacher's desk. Only five of the twenty students are present so far and with the bell ringing as we speak I doubt there will be more coming. I'm sure he won't make us sit in our assigned seats, today being the last day before the holiday.

“Hopefully sooner rather than later,” he says, tapping his pen on the roll book and eyeing the sparse classroom. “A brotha's gotta eat.”

“I feel that, except I'm coming from a sistah's point of view.” I blush as he smiles at my attempt to have small talk with a teacher. I know Ms. Toni would be pissed if she could see me now. But she's been so busy lately I haven't had a chance to catch up with her and I'm only having fun. I know better than to take him seriously and I can feel the same recognition from him.

“I'm sure,” he says, passing around the roll sheet for everyone to mark a “P” by his or her name. “It's pretty much a free day as long as you keep it low. Mrs. Peterson has left your assignment on the board, which is to work independently on your papers due in a couple of weeks. I'm up here if you have any questions.” The other four students nod their heads in acknowledgment and prepare to doze off for the rest of the period, leaving Mr. A and me alone to get better acquainted.

“So what do you think of my paper topic?” I say, pulling my government notebook out of my backpack and placing it on the desk in front of him. He opens it and takes out the assignment I'm working on. “The rough draft is due Monday. I'm sure she's going to rip it apart. Maybe you could point me in the right direction for more resources.”

“Queen Califia. I remember battling about her in college with my professors. ‘Fact or Fiction' was the title of my research paper.” He thumbs through the three-page document and I'm grateful for the consideration. I could watch him read all day.

“What was your final grade?” The other students have all but fallen asleep in the quiet room. I doubt any of them had a choice in coming to school today. Otherwise why would any of us be here?

“An A,” he says as if it was the norm. He does look hella smart, if there's such a look. I've been fooled many times by dudes posing to be intelligent with the mindset of an idiot. KJ is the latest example.

“You say it like you always got As,” I tease. But he looks at me as serious as a heart attack.

“I did.” Well damn, I guess he's not playing around when it comes to his GPA. “I'm sure you know how hard it is attending a school like this one. Imagine a university. A brotha like me doesn't have a fighting chance in that type of environment so I always have to be on my A game—literally.”

“Now that's admirable. Can I have your paper?” I tease again. He laughs, showing off his perfectly straight teeth. His long dreadlocks are pulled back in a ponytail, showcasing his strongly defined jawbones. Damn this man is beautiful.

“No, but you can look it up online. The bibliography's also listed. Knock yourself out.” He pulls his wallet out of his back slacks pocket and opens it up, handing me a card with his personal email on it. I wonder if he has any pictures of his family in there. There's no ring on his left hand but that doesn't mean there's no wifey and baby at home.

“Are you still a student at UCLA?” I ask, noticing the graduate school email address. He must be hella smart to be a grad student there.

“Yeah, I'm graduating with my Masters this spring. But I'm applying for my doctorate at the University of West Los Angeles in the fall.” Wow, I've never met a black man like this before. I didn't even know they existed.

“How are you going to teach full-time and attend grad school?” I know I'm getting all up in his business but I need to know how much time I have left with my man.

“When you set your mind to it, you can do anything you want, isn't that right, Queen Jayd?” I don't like the way he said that. Mr. Adewale smiles at me and winks like we share a secret I know nothing about. He acts like he knows more about me than I've told him. Maybe he's heard the things Misty said about me going around school. Maybe Mrs. Bennett has been telling him her version of the story. Whatever the reason is, I don't like his tone.

“What did you mean saying my name like that?” He stops smiling and looks at me very intently as if he's trying to read my thoughts, but only Mama and my mom have mastered that trick on me. I don't know if he's embarrassed or thinks he's embarrassed me, but either way the joking is over.

“I mean that your name is Jayd and you're a queen in training like all of the young sistahs I meet. Sorry if I offended you.” I believe he's sorry, but not for saying my name like that. “Now, back to your paper. If you need help you can email me. And don't wait until the last minute to do your research. Take your time doing it and writing, and no matter how much the teacher despises you, he or she will have no choice but to give you an A.” I should've talked to him before I rewrote my English paper. That paper was a rush job for real.

“Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what I find out.” And I will do just that. I'm going to look into more than just the papers Mr. Adewale's written. He's not fooling me one bit. He's got an agenda and I want to know what it is and if by chance it has anything to do with me or my legacy. I don't feel any negative energy coming from him, but he's not telling me his whole story and I want full disclosure.

 

After flirting with Mr. Adewale for the rest of the period I made it through my other classes and AP meeting without too much happening. The only unfortunate encounter was Mrs. Bennett, as usual. But she's always unpleasant, holidays and all.

“Jayd, have you seen Nigel today?” Nellie looks more frantic than usual as she approaches my locker. I've managed to dodge all of my friends today until now. This can't be a good sign, especially with her asking for Nigel. She's probably been looking for him all day and hasn't run into him yet. Little does she know he and Mickey ditched school to go shopping for baby shoes. “I want to tell him about Mickey's man possibly being the daddy before I leave today and I don't want to hear any protest.”

“Nellie, have you lost your damn mind?” I say, not granting Nellie's wish. I look around the empty hall and shut my locker door, ready to walk to the bus stop. “Mickey's man knows something's up and we don't need to be in this mess. That fool came by my house asking about Mickey's other man and to flirt with me some more. Just leave it alone, Nellie. It's not our business.” I walk toward the office doors with Nellie hot on my trail. I wonder if Chance is here to give her a ride home since the bus isn't an option for her.

“Are you joking, Jayd? I thought Nigel's supposed to be one of your best friends. If he is then how can you honestly stand there and say you agree with Mickey's behavior.” I stop and turn around to face my girl. Deep down I know Nellie thinks she's doing the right thing, even if it is coming from the hater in her.

“No, I don't agree with her actions but Nigel's a big boy and can take care of himself. Besides, Nellie, think about the consequences. Everyone will think you're a hater and no one will trust you again. Is that what you want, to end up like Misty?” I say, pointing to my nemesis as she enters the other end of the vast hall. The final bell rang a few minutes ago and everyone's off to indulge in turkey and pie for the next five days. In a way I wish I could say the same thing. But I'm also happy to take long baths and catch up on some much needed sleep at my mom's apartment.

“You're being overdramatic. I'm going to find Nigel.” Before I can tell Nellie that Nigel's not here she races down the hall, leaving me and Misty alone. Before she can say something smart, Laura, Reid, and the rest of the posse enter the hall from the side entrance. Reid claps when he notices Misty walking past them. And Laura must be feeling especially self-righteous this morning because she seems to have something to say to Misty.

“You should really be more careful. You never know what's out there, do you?” Laura says, giving her entourage a good chuckle. After Tania left, Laura became the head heffa in charge. Misty begins to cry as she makes her way down the remainder of the hallway. I can't let her go out like that.

“Laura, don't you have a Bitches-R-Us conference to plan or something?” I say, walking up to Misty, who looks like she could use a friend. I can't be all that to her, but I can take some of the heat off her for now. I've decided to take Mama's advice and spend my time working for myself and my friend's benefit. And even if we're not friends, I don't have to allow her to get kicked when she's down. But instead of being grateful, Misty takes a step toward the enemy and away from me. When will I learn not to feel sorry for this girl?

“Now, now, Jayd. You've really got to get that temper of yours checked.” Mrs. Bennett comes in from the side entrance. How long has she been out there? “You wouldn't want to have another outburst like this on your record. We might have to investigate other accusations, even ones made by students.” Mrs. Bennett's up to something and I want to know what it is so I can be prepared. She's been riding me harder than usual lately and I know it's about more than the break-up with Jeremy. “Have a nice holiday.” She exits the hall through the front door with Laura, Reid, and the rest of their crew not far behind her. Misty walks away as if I didn't just save her ass from being tortured. Between that and Nellie, I'm whipped. I wish I had time to take a nap before Rah comes for me later but I don't and I want to get to my mom's as quickly as possible.

“Jayd, I don't know why you keep defending her stupid ass. She deserves whatever she's got coming to her,” Maggie says as sassy as ever, coming out of the girl's bathroom. She can't weigh over one hundred pounds and stands exactly my height in the various high heels she wears on a daily basis. “Especially after she offended El Santos. That's a serious no-no, chica.”

“The Santos, que es?” I only understand a minimal amount of Spanish, thanks to Mr. Donald, the worst Spanish teacher ever. But Maggie always helps me with my slang.

“Si mami. El Santos or the Saints. I think you call them Orishas, no?” How does she know about our religion? I never heard anyone here talk about it before, or anywhere else for that matter.

“Si, the Orishas. How did you know that's what I believe in?”

Maggie smiles at me and looks from side to side like she's about to reveal a top secret to me. “When we heard about Misty calling you out for the little bag you put by her door, we knew. Chica, mi abuelita y mi mami believe in the Santos. We're Catholic on the outside and Santeria on the inside,” she says, showing me the gold cross and picture of the Virgin Mary hanging from her blinging gold chain. “No wonder we've always clicked, si?”

“Fo' sho' sis,” I say, returning Maggie's embrace before she leaves the empty hall.

“Have a good weekend, Jayd. And stay as far away from Misty as you can. Her bad luck is really contagious, mami, or so I've heard.” Maggie winks at me, leaving me to think about all that's just happened.

It's interesting that of all the people I may be most like, it's a girl no one would ever expect me to hang out with. That may have to change, and soon, if my girls keep going at each other like they have been lately. Maggie's right about me staying away from Misty. My days trying to help that girl are officially over. From now on, she is nothing but air to me.