No Mercy (6 page)

             
“Good afternoon, class,” Mr. A says, calming us down. “Today’s topic is global warming. Who wants to take the pro?”

“I will,” Emilio says, displaying a big ass smile. What’s he so damned happy about? He and Misty don’t have full possession of their own souls but seem to be just fine with that.

“I’ll take the con,” I say before Mr. A can ask. I want to get inside of Emilio’s head and see if he knows he’s under Esmeralda’s spell.

Misty, Shae and KJ look at Emilio and smile, ready for the showdown. Ever since he and I faced off in the race for African Student Union president last year there’s been a constant rivalry between my vice president and myself, chauvinistic pig.

“Okay then, Miss Jackson,” Mr. Adewale says, writing our names down on the whiteboard. “Remember to site what you can from last weeks’ readings to support your opinion. Facts are important even in a mock debate.”

“Got it, Mr. A,” Emilio says, kissing up to his unwilling mentor. He and Emilio were pretty tight when he first transferred from Venezuela last year, but Mr. A quickly peeped Emilio’s crazy card and so did I.

“Get her, baby,” Misty says. Baby? They must be official now, and from the heated expression on KJ’s face, I’m not the only one just hearing the news.

“There will be no getting of any babies in here this afternoon,” Mr. Adewale says, shutting Misty down. I don’t know how he maintains his patient composure when hoodrats test him on a daily basis.

Between Nigel and Mickey’s fight during our ASU meeting last week and Misty constantly showing her ass, I would’ve went off a long time ago.

“Emilio, pro has the floor.”

Emilio begins his speech defending pro global warming restrictions and legislation. I agree with the premise of the argument, however I can say I don’t think we have much control over nature. The bottom line is that whether I drive a Prius or not, the Earth will eventually do what it does.

“And in conclusion, if we do not adhere to the restrictions that nature continues to warn us about the impacts on our lives and future generations will not only be devastating, it will also be the very end of life as we know it.”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Misty says, clapping loudly.

What the hell?

“Seriously, Misty?” KJ says, pointing at Emilio. “You picked this punk ass know-it-all over another chance with me?”

His boys laugh in the background causing Misty’s blue eyes to glow. I guess I’m still the only one who notices the supernatural changes going on with my nemesis.

“Okay you two, pipe down,” Mr. Adewale says, tapping his hand on the desk in front of him. “Jayd, con has the floor.”

“The Earth is
always changing, always broken and there’s absolutely nothing wrong about that,” I say, recalling one of Mama’s wisdom lessons from the spirit book. She wrote about the power of nature when she was about my age, having lived through several serious storms in Louisiana. “She doesn’t need us to fix her. She needs us to fix ourselves.”

“Church, preach!” Chase says, causing a slight uproar of laughter.

Laura and Reid are not impressed, mostly because Reid knows that I’ll take him on any day when it comes to debate, the race for Homecoming queen and anything else he wants to bring to the table. 

“Mr. Carmichael, thank you for the enthusiasm but please hold your comments until the end.” Mr. Adewale nods his head for me to continue.

“We’re always in motion, and the Earth is always shedding its skin if you will. Volcanoes have always erupted, the ground has always shaken; rivers have always risen only to fall, and brush fires have always burned. The only difference is the recorded human recollection of all of these events.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” KJ says, siding with me just to spite Misty, and from the way she’s staring me down I’d say it’s working.

Mr. Adewale cuts KJ the side eye, his hazel eyes taking on a sparkle of their own. KJ gets the message and allows me to finish my argument.

“Pompeii, the end of the Dinosaur Age and The Ice Age are just a few
examples of our collective story. Now, with our so-called advanced scientific technology we think we should be able to predict how the story should end with us at the center. Haven’t we learned our lesson yet? Our only option is to play within nature’s rules and to literally go with the flow. If the planet is telling us to slow down, then let’s do that. If she says it’s time to change our excessive lifestyles, then we should consider that. But please don’t tell me that she needs our help because you’re way off. If anything, we need to beg mother Earth for her sympathy because she holds the power to wipe us clean, not the other way around.”

“Say what!” Chase says, standing in applause. “Can the church say amen?”

“Amen!” Nigel says, fanning his silly ass friend. I love them both too much to be mad.

“Well said, both of you,” Mr. Adewale says, writing our next assignment on the board. “Thank you, Emilio and Jayd for that spirited argument. Okay class, I need for everyone to give me a page on either side of the subject. Once you’re done, switch papers with your neighbor and check it for accuracy.”

“Good shit, Miss Jackson,” Chase says softly while pinching my right cheek like I’m five years old. “I think my mom will be very impressed with your oratory skills.”

“Hey, don’t be talking about my girl’s oratory skills like that,” Nigel says, jokingly. “She’s a lady.” It sounds like my boy’s been watching too much Martin on Netflix.

“Y’all are both so, so stupid,” I say, taking out my notebook and turning to the section for fifth period.

“Miss Jackson, a word please.”

“Yes, Mr. A,” I say, approaching his desk at the front of the room.

“I want you to consider entering the first speech competition of the year,” he says, handing me a flier with the information.

“Oh, I don’t know, Mr. A,” I say, reading the requirements. “And it’s in West LA on a school night. You know my grandmother’s not having that.”

“You’re grandmother, my godmother, knows I have your best interest at heart.” Mr. Adewale takes the paper from my hand and announces the event to the class. “Jayd’s just signed up for this event. Any other takers?”

“I’ll do it,” Emilio says, enthusiastically raising his hand.

Misty looks at her new beau like a proud wifey. Once I figure out exactly how Esmeralda used her magical manipulation to marry their souls I can undo this bull.  I wonder if Emilio and Misty realize that their newfound infatuation isn’t real. Just a few weeks ago KJ and Misty were hot and heavy, even after her wicked metamorphosis.

KJ’s made his confusion well known and isn’t taking the trade lying down. KJ rolls his eyes at his ex and Misty returns the hate. They’re almost as silly as Nigel and Mickey, who are pretending not to notice one another in the intimate setting, which is probably for the best. 

“What the hell. I’m always up for a challenge,” Reid says, Laura beaming like the proud first that lady she is. I can totally see them governing some conservative state in the not so distant future. That’s all she wants to do is be his wife, and all he wants to do is run the world.

“Excellent,” Mr. Adewale says, pointing to the board. “All interested persons can sign up after class. A word of advice: Get involved in the moment and not the movement, people. I’m urging you to research recent issues surrounding your topics thoroughly. A lot can change in two weeks.”

Bored of the particulars, the rest of the class returns to their work.

“You’ll thank me later, Jayd, “ Mr. Adewale says, keeping me at his desk a minute longer. “It’ll look very good on your college applications. By the way, have you written your personal essay and the requests for your reference letters yet?”

All of a sudden I feel the pressure of more work closing in on me. Will I ever be done writing and reading and filling out shit?

“I have plenty of time for that,” I say, also tiring of his speech. “It’s only October and most of them aren’t due until December at the earliest.”

“Jayd, I don’t mean to sound pushy but you need to jump on it, iyawo,” Mr. Adewale says, one of the only people at school who knows my spiritual status. I still can’t believe he was a part of my initiation ceremony, or that I kissed him when I suffered a temporary meltdown. He’s a very forgiving brotha.

              “I know you’re right, Mr. A. Consider me on all of it,” I say, returning to my seat. I need to get on my game in more ways than one and today’s events have been the motivation I needed to make it happen.

“Are we sharing a vision walk again?” I ask Mama who looks different from what I’ve ever seen her look like before. Her body looks broken like a puzzle but it’s pieced altogether, and she’s riding an alligator like it’s a horse.

“I don’t know, chile. You tell me,” Mama says, gripping the wide reptile with her thighs, pulling the reigns tight. “But I know I’m liking this ride.” Mama looks more like my mom’s age than her fifty-plus years.

“I can see that,” I say, admiring her skills handling the beast. “Aren’t you afraid he’s going to, I don’t know, eat you?” Dream or not, I’d never be as cool as she is riding an alligator. Maybe I’ve seen too many Discovery Channel specials, but there’s no way I’m getting close to that thing.

“Sometimes you have to face your fears in order to do your best work. Victory is right on the other side of struggle.” Mama’s green eyes grow big as the alligator jumps into the lake, rapidly spinning her but Mama holds on tight. Unable to shake her loose, the alligator plunges deeper into the water.

“Let go of my grandmother!” I scream, leaping into the water. When I open my eyes the foggy water is brightly lit encasing me inside a light-filled cocoon.

My grandmother emerges from the depths of the lake piece by piece: first her fingertips, then her arms, head and the remaining parts of her body.

“Mama!” I scream, terrified of my grandmother being killed. But miraculously she is alive and better than ever.

“I’m fine, Jayd,” she says, putting the pieces back together. “This is the natural order of things, just like the Hindu goddess Akhilandishvari.”

“Akhilandishvari,” I repeat: I like the way that sounds.

“Yes. Her name
means ‘never not broken’. She is the goddess of always being broken. Sometimes in order to heal we have to first be broken, but never broke down like Esmeralda’s attempting to do to you and I, Jayd. Don’t let that heffa get to you or Lexi again.”

How did Mama know about
Esmeralda’s bitch contribution this morning? I wasn’t even thinking about it.

              “I heard your thoughts just now, Jayd,” Mama says, answering my unspoken question as usual. “Your subconscious mind is always at work whether you’re aware of it or not.”

A bright
green light shines through the cracks indicating the places where Mama was once broken. “You have to not only face your fears but ride them like a alligator,” Mama says. “You have too many people on your side who want to help you succeed, Jayd. Esmeralda, her godchildren and the rest of her lineage have nothing on us. Get over your fears and get to work!”

I shoot up in bed hearing Mama loud and clear. Petty shit has no space in my life. My only concern should be eliminating my enemies one at a time, starting with Esmeralda.

“You need to learn how to balance both of your worlds. That way you’ll never be out of your element.”

-Mama

Drama High, volume 2: Second Chance

~4~

CLEAN START

It was difficult getting back to sleep last night after the dream I had of Mama riding a damned alligator of all things. It was the third one this week and they’re really starting to bother my sleep pattern. I was so tired after my last client left yesterday evening that I didn’t even get to sweep up the hair let alone put away all of my tools. My mother’s car is parked in front of the apartment and I know I’m about to catch hell for leaving her place a mess.

              “Jayd, what have I told you about leaving evidence of your work everywhere?” my mom says, sifting through her mountain of mail on the dining room table. “This can’t keep going on forever, Miss Jackson.”

             
“Mom, I’m sorry, but please don’t call me that,” I say, plopping down on the unmade couch from my sleep last night. “You sound just like Mrs. Bennett.”

             
“Ugh,” my mom says, shuddering at the thought. “I hope I don’t need to make a special appearance again on your behalf. It’s becoming an annual event.”

             
Before my mom came to South Bay for a meeting with Mrs. Bennett, Ms. Toni and the administration last year she’d only been up to the school once before. Neither she nor Mama wants to venture to Redondo Beach any more than absolutely necessary.