“Yeah, I do. And now they all seem to be ganging up on me for one thing or another. And my friends don’t even remember my birthday or care about the sacrifices I’ve made for them.” Mickey’s really outdone herself this time.
“Girls can lust, too, Jayd. It’s not just boys who want everything you’re willing to give them. Lust takes and love gives. Haven’t I told you that a million times?” I know Mama’s right about that. Sometimes girls are worse than the boys. “And with these little frenemies you’re running around with, like Misty and Mickey, it’s a wonder you haven’t been killed.”
“Mama, it’s not that serious,” I say, running hot, soapy water in one of the three washbowls to soak the hundreds of clips I’ve collected. With any luck I’ll get off early tonight and get some studying done. Tomorrow is our first practice exam for the English AP in second period, and I want to do well.
“Oh, but it is, sweetie,” Mama says as Netta takes the hot curlers out of the miniature oven and places them on the white towel to cool. She can’t help doing her job, even when she’s not technically the one working. “Emilio got close to you under the guise of friendship, and now he’s turned on you, just like the other frenemies in your life.”
“So how do I protect myself when anyone could be a potential enemy?” This is too much to deal with tonight. “Why can’t a friend just be a friend?”
“Jayd, that’s like asking why do people die. The world’s a cold, harsh place at times, and that is why you need to always protect yourself in every way possible, even from the people who claim they love you.” Mama’s right on point with that one. I’ve been feeling down all day because two of my closest friends think I’ve betrayed them, when in actuality it’s my trust that’s been betrayed.
“You’re right, and I’m going to change this madness sooner rather than later,” I say, feeling more confident than I have all day. My headache has even lessened. Mama and Netta can make the most difficult problems seem so simple.
“If nothing else, I know you’re a fighter for justice, and assassinating our mother’s character is the same as attacking us personally. Don’t let that little fool get away with that, especially if he’s a true devotee like he claims to be. Emilio had better recognize he’s fighting a losing battle talking bad about you and your lineage,” Mama says, spraying Netta’s finished do with hair sheen. Damn, Mama’s got skills.
“That’s right, little queen,” Netta says, smacking on her Big Red gum louder than usual, she’s so excited about her fresh hair. Mama gives Netta a look in the mirror, and she slows her roll a little bit. They smile at each other, both satisfied with the reflection in the large lighted mirror at the station.
“Your visions are here to help you, even if they do hurt sometimes,” Mama says, alluding to my head injury and other battle wounds from past dreams. “You stand on the shoulders of all the women who came before you, and you have all your ancestors’ and Orisha’s love and support. Never doubt yourself or your power.”
They’re both right. There’s no way Emilio can beat me in a presidential campaign for ASU or in a character debate about Oshune. Who the hell does he think he is telling me about myself? Like Oshune, I can be as giving to my friends as a lake full of fish is to a fisherman on a spring morning and as dangerous as that same lake on an ice-cold winter’s night. Which side of my personality surfaces is contingent upon what’s necessary, and, right now, self-preservation calls for a cool head. That starts with me doing my work—absolutely no distractions allowed.
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