Keep It Movin' (12 page)
Authors: L. Divine
“Look, Jayd. The truth is, Mrs. Esop's right about me. When my parents met my man they told me to have his baby if I was going to have one. And I tried for the longest to get pregnant by that fool.” Mickey rubs her belly and I even think I see another tear in her eye. This is a record for her showing emotion. I think her hormones are making her feel more. “But I had two miscarriages in two years. I've never gotten this far before. That's why I know this is Nigel's baby. I got lucky this time, Jayd. Yes, I was hustling for a baby-daddy, but I wasn't counting on meeting Nigel. That was just pure luck.”
“I hear you, Mickey. But I'm not the one you need to convince.” I wish Nigel's folks were more understanding, but there's no sense praying for that miracle to occur. “And how does Nigel feel about you choosing to leave the main campus because you're pregnant? Does he know how the administration's treating you?”
“He doesn't know and I'm not telling him until I'm out, and I better not hear anything about you opening your big mouth, Judge Judy.”
“I'm just saying you should fight for yours, and you should definitely tell your man about it. This affects him too, Mickey.”
“Jayd, we've been over this already and I'm done talking about it.” I can tell Mickey doesn't really want to leave school but she feels powerless against our administration, unlike Tania, whose money made her teen pregnancy more tasteful, I assume. Her parents married her off the first chance they got but had she stayed, I'm sure the school wouldn't have asked her to check out like she did something wrong.
“Don't let someone else's hang-up keep you from getting what's rightfully yours, and staying in regular school is your right.” As our boys get closer to where we're posted, Mickey's body language signals me to shut up but I'm not going to give up on my girl. I've already lost Nellie to the forces that be at South Bay High and I'm not about to lose Mickey, too.
“Can't you just cast some sort of spell or something to help me? It's Christmas for God's sake. We're supposed to be merry and shit.” Mickey's still living in a fantasy world where Santa brings gifts down the chimney and true love lives happily ever after. That's not the loveâor the holidaysâthat I know.
“Mickey, why did you think this was going to go over so easily? Did you really think they were going to be happy about their seventeen-year-old son, who's also up for football scholarships this year, becoming a father his senior year of high school? That doesn't sound good to them at all. Hell, it doesn't even sound good to me and I'm on your side.”
“But it sounds perfect to me.” I feel for my girl, but her naïveté is going to get her heart broken into tiny pieces if she doesn't snap out of it soon. “And you didn't answer my question, Jayd. Can you help me or not?” Even though she's askingâwhich makes it okay for me to try to help herâI know I can't help her out of this one.
“Mickey, this is way over my head. Besides, if you two really want to be together, you will. That's what family and love's all about: staying together no matter the obstacles. And my boy loves him some you, so I think you've got all the help you need in him.” As Nigel approaches us I can see the look in his eyes. I look at Mickey and her smile is as big as his. I wish they could get the one gift they're both requesting this Christmas: to be together. But as with all gifts, even though we ask for them we don't necessarily get what we want.
“How's it going with you and Rah?” she asks as they approach us outside of the baby store, almost within earshot. I can't wait for Rahima to try on her new outfit. I hope I get to see her again soon, but with Sandy's unpredictable ass one never knows.
“It's going.”
“Does he know you're still moonlighting with the white boy?” I give Mickey a cross look and ignore her snide question. She knows what's up with that.
“Hey baby,” Nigel says, rubbing Mickey's belly before kissing her on the lips.
“Get a room,” Rah says, and he's right. They can barely keep their hands off each other anytime they're together. I can see why his parents wouldn't want the two of them in their house on a daily basis.
“Don't hate,” Nigel says, punching his boy in the arm.
“Damn, nigga. Watch the guns,” Rah says, holding his right shoulder before reaching down to give me a bear hug. “Hey baby,” he says, holding me tightly and rocking back and forth.
“Hey,” I say, inhaling the soft scent of his Polo cologne and returning the love. “How was your day?”
“We made some money killing these fools on the court,” Rah says, putting up his left hand for a high five from Nigel, who promptly obliges. “They didn't stand a chance, just like the mall didn't have a prayer against you two. How was shopping, ladies?”
“It was good,” Mickey says, excitedly opening her bags to show off the baby clothes. “Look what I got our little princess.”
“Wait a minute. We already have a baby girl in the crew. We're expecting a little homie,” Nigel says. Rah smiles down at me and I return the gesture.
“Well, that'll have to wait until the next one comes along because this baby is definitely a girl. Now, look at your daughter's clothes.” As they admire the expensive wardrobe for their unborn child, Rah and I shake our heads at the sight. I wish they could be together because they sure do love the idea of being one big happy family.
“Jayd, we have to get to the cell phone place before they close.” Rah looks at his watch and starts to walk away from the happy couple, pulling me along with him. “And I also made you an appointment to change the registration on your car for tomorrow afternoon, since they won't be open because of the holiday on Friday. Is that cool with you?” Rah's been on it lately. If he keeps it up, I might get spoiled by all of this attention.
“Yeah, that sounds cool. How's Rahima?”
“Missing you, just like me,” he says, bending down to kiss me on the neck.
“Get a room,” Nigel yells at us, returning the love. Rah looks up at his boy and smiles. “We'll catch y'all later. My girls are hungry.”
“Bye Jayd, and remember our conversation. There will be a quiz later,” Mickey says, allowing Nigel to take the bags from her and lead her toward the food court.
“Bye y'all,” I say. Which part of our conversation she's referring to I'm not really sure, because we covered a lot of ground this afternoon, but I'll worry about that later. Maybe she'll be one of the first calls I make on my new cell once it's programmed.
“So, you ready to give up on your raggedy cell?” I know Rah's only joking, but it still hurts. I'm attached to my first cell, even if it is on its last leg.
“Hey, this phone has served me well. But yes, I'm ready to upgrade,” I say, taking out my new pink Razor cell, ready to switch. I turn the power on and wait for it to boot up. I only have two pictures on the phone. I saved the one Rah took of Rahima and me as the wallpaper background, so it pops up instantly. Rah looks over my shoulder and smiles.
“Yeah, now you can send me pics of you when I need to feel good.” Rah takes my hand in his and escorts me toward the cell-phone booth downstairs. “And I'll send you some just in case you forget what a brother looks like at that white-ass school of yours.”
“Whatever, Rah.” I know that was a loaded statement about Jeremy, but I'm not going there with him today. Jeremy wants to come by tonight and I haven't told Rah yet, but now that I'm driving myself I don't have to explain anything to anyone. When I'm ready to leave, I just do, and that is more valuable to me than anything money can buy. “I can never forget that face,” I say, reaching up to squeeze his chiseled cheek. Other people riding the escalators look at us and smile. We do make a cute couple from the outside looking in.
“You want to grab something to eat afterwards? I got to get my hustle on tonight, but we can kick it for a minute.”
“Oh, I already have plans,” I say as we get ready to step off the escalator. Once relaxed and smiling, now those same cheekbones are flexed and stressed. I better reroute some of his emotion by changing the subject, and fast. “Which hustle are we working on tonight?”
“My music. And what plans do you already have?” Damn, I guess my diversions need some work because he's still hot on my trail. I take the first step off and he's right behind me.
“Rah, we're having a pleasant evening. Let's just keep it like this, please.” Rah stops walking, looks down at me, and takes a deep breath like he's about to give the speech of a lifetime. Before saying a thing, he notices my new North Face jacket for the first time and touches it gently. I know what he's thinking: How could I afford such an expensive jacket?
“If that fool didn't have money would you still be dealing with him?” I look back up at Rah, shocked at his question. Who does he think he's talking to, Mickey?
“Rah, now I know you know me better than that,” I say, walking toward the cell-phone booth alone. Rah hasn't moved from his spot. He'd better come on. This is no time to show his ass and act a fool in the mall.
“I thought I did. But ever since this white boy came along you've changed.”
“He has a name and I know you know what it is. When Jeremy refers to you he doesn't say âthat black boy' so show him the same respect,” I say over my shoulder while Rah quickens his pace to catch up.
“He'd better not if he knows what's good for him.” I stop in my tracks and look back at my long-time friend. Jealousy's never been a good look on him.
“Quit being such a baby. I can have other plans if I want to, just like you're free to still talk to Trish, or have you conveniently forgotten about the fact she still calls you every day?” Choosing to leave the question in the air, Rah and I continue to walk in silence.
When we reach the cell-phone store the line is out the door. I guess everyone got in on the holiday upgrade special. Rah stands outside while I get in line, looking torn between where he's standing and where I'm going. This wouldn't be the first time we've parted ways after a disagreement and it won't be the last, I'm sure.
“I'm only doing this because I'm a man of my word. Anything else you need, get your boy toy to get it for you.” Rah takes his worn leather wallet out of his back pocket and opens it. He pulls out a one-hundred-dollar bill, hands it to me, and walks away from me. Damn, I know he's mad, but that was low.
“Rah, it's not that serious,” I call after him. Why does everything have to be so difficult? I'll just have to call him after I'm done here.
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I'm still not comfortable driving around in my little hoopty, especially since it has a tendency to overheat just like its caretaker, Rah. Rah hasn't spoken to me since he left me alone at the mall yesterday and he's not returning my calls. My car was tripping this morning when I drove it to work, but it seems to be okay now that I'm cruising around the beach. I told my dad about it and he says he'll take a look at it next time I come by. He just wants to make sure I drive the car that he bought me using the license he paid for me to get. Mama was right: the only reason my daddy helped me was to show off to his family, and I'm glad my mom's not rubbing it in my face anymore. As long as I get to roll when I want and where I want, it's all good to me.
After working all day and spending the evening at the mall with Mickey yesterday, I decide to chill by myself this afternoon, in Redondo Beach to start and then drive right on through the neighboring beach cities just to see if I can make it to and from without getting lost. As long as I stay on the main streets I'm good.
As I drive through the streets of Redondo, I notice all of the pretty lights on the big, beautiful houses are slowly coming down, some families ridding themselves of the holiday sooner than others. I know everyone has worries, but I just don't think the people living in these homes have the same stress as we do in our neck of the woods. All I ever think about is ways to hustle more moneyâlegally. Most of the people I know just want money, damn the law, and at times I feel them. But Mama would kill me if I ever did anything illegal.
“Jayd, is that you?” Matt says from his SUV stopped at the red light next to me.
“Yeah. What's up with you?”
“Just hanging. You got a car for Christmas, I see. Sweet.” He's got a ride full of friends but none that I recognize from school or the beach. He also has a Great Dane in the front seat. I guess that's the dog he's always talking about like it's his little brother. White folks and their animals.
“I'm glad you think so,” I say, looking at the temperature gauge rise in my little car. I guess I'd better get back to Compton before it hits red. I need to let her rest if I want to make it back to my mom's tomorrow, and I need to. So far I have five heads lined up for the weekend and if I'm on my game I can fit a few more in before Sunday. I also need to make it to Netta's on Saturday and talk to her about my new work schedule now that I have my own wheels.
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