Page 28 of Suleem and Yahzi
He wasn’t bringing women to the salon on the regular…
“She’s in the back, Bank. You want me to get her for you?” one of the women said, looking him over slowly with her eyes lingering too long.
“Don’t call me that shit,” he said rudely, then pointed to one of the other women. “Ay, go get Miesha.”
She paused mid braid of the section of hair she was working on and hurried her ass to the back. I rolled my eyes at how these women clearly would do whatever he said. A few minutes later she returned with a curvy, short, chocolate woman with a pretty round face and goddess locs that looked identical to the ones his aunt had. Hers were red while Mae’s were black.
“You want me?” She frowned at Suleem and he nodded.
“She’s getting braids, how much?”
“I’m booked…”
“I didn’t ask you that. I asked you how much.” I could tell from his tone he was already annoyed so I stepped in because I wanted my damn hair done.
“I have an appointment.”
“You’re Yahzi?”
“Yes.”
“My bad, girl.” She smiled then looked at Suleem. “One eighty.”
He nodded and removed cash from his pocket and handed it to her. “That’s three, don’t fuck her shit up.”
“Nigga I know what I’m doing.” She rolled her eyes.
“I didn’t ask you that either. I just said don’t fuck her shit up.” He dropped his hand to my waist and brought my body flush to his. As soon as his mouth was on mine, his hand moved to my ass which he palmed and squeezed.
“Hit me if you need anything. I’m ’bout to go pull up on my boy.” He slapped my ass then was out the door but walked back in a few seconds later. “And don’t be asking her no stupid fucking questions. Mind ya business.”
I groaned internally when Miesha laughed and pointed to her station. “Don’t trip. Everybody knows he’s extra as hell. You need a wash before I get started?”
I shook my head. “No, I washed it last night but you may have to blow dry it. I think the center is still wet. I just crashed and didn’t do anything to it. Is that extra?”
“Mhm, I bet you did.” She grinned at me in the mirror. “No, it’s not extra. We don’t do all the boutique shit around here. Well, Shaunie does, but that’s why her chair stays empty.”
“Bitch, fuck you,” a woman who was sitting in the waiting area said, grinning but keeping her eyes on her phone.
“Fuck me but your ass is sitting over there while your station is empty, waiting and wishing for some clients while I’m getting money.”
“Again, bitch, fuck you. I have three clients today.”
“We’ll see.” Miesha pulled the elastic holder from my hair, raked her fingers through it, and massaged my crown. “It’s pretty much dry but I’m still gonna use the dryer so the braids don’t get tight.”
She lifted a cape and draped it around my shoulders.
“You getting your hair done for the block party tomorrow?”
I forgot all about the block party DP sponsored. It was a huge thing and happened every summer. One of the many ways DP attempted to right some of their wrongs. Regardless of the blood on their hands and the sins in their hearts, they did a lot for the community and the block party was one of those good things.
They pretty much shut down the entire neighborhood for a day, bringing out food trucks to feed everyone, activities for the kids, and a DJ. Local vendors set up to sell their products and everyone in the surrounding area supported the neighborhood. For that one day, we were all family. I had missed it for the past three years but the thought of being able to attend put a smile on my face.
“No, I didn’t know it was tomorrow.”
“Your man didn’t tell you? Isn’t that his shit?” one of the women in the waiting area said snidely and I glanced at her, reading the jealousy all over her face. Either she fucked Suleem in the past or wanted to in the future. I didn’t fight eager bitches over men. Fading hoes would never stop a man from slinging dick if that’s what he chose to do. As long as she kept her feelings to herself, she could miss me with her pipe dreams about fucking one of DP’s most revered.
“You know all these hoes thought you were an urban legend.”
