Keep It Movin' (8 page)

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Authors: L. Divine

BOOK: Keep It Movin'
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“I love it, Daddy. Thank you,” I say, lying to his and everyone else's face. My daddy beams with pride and hugs me tight, like he does when I'm agreeable. I feel like I'm the one giving him the gift. I told him I hated this car and he still bought it. Why doesn't he listen to me? My aunties and the rest of the family are busy giving my daddy props for being such a great father and he's loving it. Am I the only one who sees the problem with this picture?
“I do, baby,”
my mom says, invading my head right on time. Her voice will keep me calm. “
Girl, your daddy does what he wants to, damn your wishes. Don't you get that by now?”
I know my mom's right, but I refuse to think about that right now. I have to save face in front of his family and I can't hear her say “I told you so” while trying to do it.
“You sure are a good daddy, little brother,” my aunt says, shooting me an evil look. “You should be grateful, little girl. Everybody doesn't have a daddy like this one.” She sips on her drink and holds herself up on her son's shoulder, trying to hide her drunken state. She's such a hater but I don't care. My feelings are valid, no matter what these folks think. They don't have to risk their lives driving this hideous thing.
“Alright, let's pray and get this dinner going. And hey, I can start drinking early this year because Jayd can drive herself home from now on,” he says, making everyone in the room laugh. He's right; I've got keys and wheels. The only person stopping me is me, and that ends right now. Maybe it won't be so bad once I fix it up a little bit. Well, at least I have something to roll in and for that I am grateful.
“You alright, baby?” Faye passes me a stacked plate and a fork. She knows me so well. “You don't look like a teenager who just got her first car for Christmas.” She's right. I'm far from happy right now. I'm so pissed I can't even eat and that's saying something.
“Yeah, just tired. I got in late last night and got up early this morning to do my mom's hair.” I play with the delicious-looking food on my plate, trying to hold back my tears. I need to go somewhere where I can cry my eyes out.
“Yeah, your daddy told me about your new career. Do you really want to do hair for the rest of your life?” I know she doesn't see the pride in my chosen profession for the time being, because she believes academics are the answer to everything, but this time I can't agree.
“I'm only sixteen and I like doing hair.” Now my appetite's completely gone. I can't help but feel attacked on a personal level whenever someone demeans our profession. Doing hair is in my blood and it's a gift, not a curse like she's making it out to be. Faye's always hated on any job that doesn't require a college degree. My daddy doesn't have a degree, but she's working on that, too.
“I know that, but Jayd, you could be tutoring or working at a library or something other than just doing hair. You have a sharp head and you should use that to get you through.” That's the one thing about Faye I don't get. She's so smart in one way but clueless when it comes to our cultural heritage, and I think my dad loves her for that the most. Rah texts me right before I'm able to comment back to Faye and it's perfect timing. I don't want to take out my anger on her.
“I'll think about that,” I say, placing my plate on the counter while everyone else files into the kitchen, ready to get their grub on. I think if I skip out now it won't be so bad.
What's up with you? I'm about to take Rahima back to my house. Need a ride? Holla back at your boy.
“Yes Jayd, I think you should seriously consider it. There are plenty of part-time jobs at the college I work at. You should drop by one day and let me introduce you to some of my coworkers.” Ignoring my stepmother completely, I reply back to Rah in record time. I need to get out of here before I say something I truly regret and I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings today.
Yes, please come follow me back to my mom's first and then we can kick it. My dad bought me a car and I doubt it'll make it back to Inglewood. See y'all soon.
“Okay, we'll make it a date,” I say, searching the drawers for aluminum foil. Faye is the queen of Costco and keeps the house stocked with anything needed in the kitchen and bathroom.
“Where are you rushing off to?” my daddy asks as Faye hands him his plate and a drink. “I knew I should've waited until after dinner to give you the car.” He's right. Maybe I'd still have an appetite. Now I'll have to wait until I vent to eat my dinner. Faye piles a plate full of cake and pie for me to take with me along with a bag full of her famous chocolate-chip cookies. If I could perfect this recipe and her sweet potato pie, I'd be a happy black girl.
“Rah's going to check my car out for me and I need to get back. I have an early workday tomorrow,” I say, half telling the truth. I'm supposed to be at the shop tomorrow, but there's no time attached to my commitment. Netta has clients coming as early as seven in the morning, but she knows she won't be seeing me until much later. Me and Mickey's shopping day will have to wait until Sunday because tomorrow I'm all about making my money.
“Rah,” Faye says loud enough for everyone to hear, including Nia, whose high-yellow face has just turned a shade of deep red. I know she's hot that Rah and I have maintained our friendship in spite of her hating-ass tricks. But like the rabbit says, tricks are made for kids, and I'm growing up. I can only hope she's doing the same.
“Yeah, Rah. You know he's good at working on cars. He and Nigel would love a new project.” I know they're going to clown my ride, but I'm willing to take that risk if it means they can make it look better and drive safer. When I drove it a few weeks back I was surprised it made it up the steep hills in Redondo Beach.
“But your brother and sister aren't here yet. Don't you want to see them?” Now, my daddy knows they're notoriously late for family events if they show up at all.
“Tell them I said Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” I take my pile of food, kiss my stepmother good-bye, and head for the back door. I have to wait for my daddy to move the five cars blocking me in, but I'm ready to go, and he gets the message loud and clear.
“Okay, baby. I know you can't wait to show off your new ride,” he says, taking a quick bite from his plate before passing it back to Faye to cover up until he gets back in. She's a good wife to put up with him and serve him like she does. Mama used to do that for Daddy, but he lost that privilege a long, long time ago. I'll have to tell Mama about my day when she gets in from volunteering at the shelter later, if she's not too tired. Otherwise I'll catch up with her at Netta's tomorrow. She has to drop off some hair products and I know she'll want to take a look at my hoopty when she does.
“Thanks again, Daddy, and Merry Christmas, everyone,” I say to the whole lot of them without waiting for a reply. My dad's busy collecting keys to reorganize the cars. At least when my brother and sister arrive they'll have a good spot to park in.
Too bad I didn't bring my iPod to roll with. Maybe it's a good thing. I need to focus and get to know my car better. I also need to pay attention to the road and keep up with Rah, who arrives right on time.
“Hey, Mr. Jackson,” Rah says from his open window. I can see Rahima in the backseat, knocked out. I guess she had a busy day at his grandparents' house. If I could go back to being two I'd do it in a heartbeat. She has no idea of the drama that swirls around her.
“Hey,” my daddy says back to him. He's never liked Rah too much and the feeling between them is mutual. My daddy finally moves the last car out of my way. I wave to Rah and get in my car, fasten the seatbelt and say a quick prayer to Legba that I make it home safely. I start the engine, which takes a few seconds to turn over, and gently press the gas. The loud roar of the engine sounds like a fart and smells like one too.
“Are you sure this car is safe to drive?” I yell toward my daddy as he walks up the driveway, waiting for me to back out. He ignores my question and waves at me to get a move on. I know he wants to get back inside and rejoin the party and I just want to get a move on—period.
“I'll see you later, baby, and be safe,” he says. I pull off and follow Rah. I can't wait to get to his crib and shake this day off in a real way.
 
By the time we arrive at my mom's house, my car's hotter than a chili pepper. I knew this car was a piece of shit and should've told my daddy so right then and there. He'll find some way to blame this on me and I'm not having it. I park the car in front of my mom's apartment building, where Rah's waiting patiently. If I'm lucky someone will jack this ride before sunrise. It's covered by my daddy's insurance until I get my own, so I'm not worried about the liability. I take my food out, slam the door, and hop in Rah's Acura, ready for a smooth ride.
“Hey, baby. How was your day?” Rah asks, pulling away from the curb and off toward his house. All the buildings on the block are lit up with pretty lights, and people are still outside hanging. This is how Christmas is supposed to be.
“It's better now,” I say, turning around to greet his bundle of joy. “Hi, Rahima.” I swear this little girl is the sweetest thing ever. “How was your holiday?”
“It was good, huh, little mama?” Rah answers for her. She smiles back at her daddy through the rearview mirror before initiating a game of hide-and-seek with me. “She's still hyped from all the sweets my grandparents gave her. We had a great time until my mom showed up.” From the look on his face he doesn't want to go into too much detail. His mom's a trip and then some.
“No stripping on the holidays?”
“Nah, she's working later tonight, I'm sure. But she had to make an appearance with her new nigga and you know how that goes. So that's the car, huh,” he says, eyeing my little bucket in his rearview. I'm sure he'll take a better look at it in the daylight, even if there's not much to see.
“Yup, that's it.”
“Looks like it's overheating. You shouldn't drive it too far until I take a good look under the hood.” How come Rah can look out for my well-being but my daddy can't?
“Well, I need to roll it to work tomorrow. You don't think it'll be okay to get to Compton and back?”
“I can't say. I just know what I smell, and it ain't good. I can take you to work if need be, Jayd. I'd rather that than you rolling around and get stuck somewhere. What was your dad thinking about, man? I wouldn't let Rahima ride around in that thing.”
“Now you're just being cruel,” I say, playfully pushing his shoulder. I know he's still irritated about Jeremy being over at Mama's yesterday, but that was Rah's bad, not mine.
“No, I'm just being truthful. But maybe your rich, white boyfriend will buy you something better.” I knew that was coming. I turn away from Rahima and focus on Rah's chocolate skin. Maybe if he wasn't so fine I'd be able to leave him alone.
“Don't hate on Jeremy for being there when you couldn't be.” I know he had to go get his daughter, but he had plans with me, and Sandy was just hating on his time. He needs to put her ass in check once and for all and we'd have a lot less drama between us.
“Is that how it's going to be, Jayd? Every time I can't make it somewhere you're going to call that punk to be your substitute?” Damn, I wish I'd driven my car, even if it is a death trap. It's better than being at his mercy for the rest of the evening.
“What the hell? I know you're not talking about someone looking for a replacement,” I say, flicking the keychain picture of my crew at the Halloween Ball that hangs from my purse. I guess since Nellie isn't technically our homegirl anymore I should remove it, but I'm still hopeful she'll come around. There's no replacing a real friend. Now how can I make Rah understand that?
“Whatever, Jayd. You know that was wrong. Why can't you just admit it?” I look back at Rahima and ignore him for the time being. Part of me does feel bad, but I shouldn't. I just don't like seeing anyone I love hurt. But Rah brought this pain on himself. The rest of the short ride back to his house is quiet, except for Rahima's giggling and two-word sentences. Maybe we can play for the rest of the night while Rah sulks.
When we get in the house I immediately go into the studio and take Rahima with me while Rah goes to his room. Kamal stayed at their grandparents' house for the night so it's just the three of us chilling tonight.
“You hungry?” I ask her as I unwrap my food. Now I'm starving and ready to tear Faye's feast up. I take a forkful of macaroni and cheese and give it to Rahima. She smiles with delight and I know how she feels. I take the remote and turn on the flat-screen television.
“
Soul Food
's on if you want to watch it,” Rah says, entering the room a little more relaxed. I guess he didn't want to smoke around his daughter and for that I am glad. He also changed out of his jeans and dress shirt into some navy sweats and a black wife beater, ready to chill. I'm glad I'm already dressed comfortably.

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