Page 46 of Hellcat Barbies: Imani
“Hakeem.”
After rubbing her hands across his thick hair, Red looks at me. “You want it all off?” she asks.
“No, he likes all that hair. So, he’s keeping the top. Fade of the sides,” I tell her.
“Got it and what about you?” she asks.
“I’m straight. I’ll just swing back Wednesday. Today is just him. Gotta get him right for school.”
“’Cause I go tomorrow,” DJ adds before Red gets to work.
Since the chair next to her station is empty, I slide in it to stay close. From the looks of DJ’s head, I’m not sure when the last time or if he’s ever been in a barber’s chair. Although he seems pretty adjusted, it’s clear he’s missed out on a few things, the biggest being me, his father. All little Black boys need a father in their lives. Mothers and grandmothers are greatly appreciated and adored for all that they do but they can’t teach a little Black boy how to be a Black man.
These past two weeks have been a huge as adjustment. The night I got him, he only had a tiny duffle bag filled with one pair of kicks, some night clothes, and a few outfits. He had an iPhone with his Maw Maw’s number programmed in it too but hell, that was it. I fixed that immediately and he and I hit the stores that next day before I went to Imani’s.
A closet full of clothes and boxes of shoes, an iPad, and an XBOX were easy. Getting him to loosen up and get comfortable hasn’t been as easy. He’s smart as hell but a little shy. Trust is big for him and he misses his Maw Maw. The first few days, we called her two or three times each day. Thank God for her, for real. She assures him each call that he’s good with me and it’s starting to sink in with him. When I leave a room, he doesn’t follow behind me anymore to make sure that I’m in fact coming back.
The first night, he wouldn’t sleep. It took me a minute to realize that he was scared to close his eyes and find me gone. When I did though, I grabbed a comforter and pillows and planted my big ass on the floor next to his bed. Several times throughout the night, he woke up and checked for me. I was there each time. That shit fucked with me heavy. Hell, it stilldoes because had Makenna been honest with me from jump, he would haven’t had to go through any shit with her ass. Even while locked, I would have made sure he was straight with my family.
He's starting school tomorrow. I couldn’t get him in right away because the paperwork his grandmother had wasn’t official. With the help of Rhian, my boss Gideon’s wife, I got that shit straight and enrolled him into Little Einstein’s, a private elementary school. Gideon and Rhian’s little girl attends but she’s in kindergarten. He’s starting first grade. Although he is starting three weeks late into the school year, his teacher and the admin have assured me that he’ll be fine.
I can’t lie; this shit has been hard, an adjustment for real. I haven’t been to the warehouse since I’ve gotten him. I’ve been managing and handling shit from the crib because he will never step foot in the warehouse. That part of my life will remain a million miles from him.
My new schedule and new life revolve around him. When he’s in school, I’ll head to work. When he’s out, we’ll be together. My peeps have all stepped up and volunteered to help but for now, I got it. As much as I hate to admit the shit, Imani was right. DJ and I need time together to create our bond, his trust of me, and our routine.
I miss the shit out of her sexy ass though. We may not be seeing one another but she stays on my mind. I meant every fucking thing I said to her in her garage. She is mine and I’m coming back for what’s mine.
“Is this close enough on his sides?” Red asks.
She slightly turns the chair, giving me a clear view of Dj’s hair. His sides are faded perfectly; I just want it cleaner at thebottom. So, I ease out of the chair and step to them. I point behind his ear and to his neck area.
“I like this but I want it clean behind his ears and tapered down by his neck, like in a V shape,” I tell her.
“Oh yeah. I like that. And you’re cool with the top or do you want more off?” she says and I notice his face scrunch up.
He really likes his hair.
“Nah. That’s straight.”
“Then, we’re almost done, DJ,” she says before patting his shoulder.
I lean in and check on him. “You good?” I ask.
“Yes sir,” he says.
“A’ight. I’m running to the restroom. I’ll be back by the time she finishes,” I tell him and nod. He nods too.
I make my way through the shop and to the restroom. The men’s one is empty so I’m in and out by the time Red is finishing up with him. She’s holding the large hand-held mirror in front of him. His hand is on the handle too as he examines his cut.
“You like it?” she asks him.
“Yes. I like it,” he says excitedly.
“Good. I like it too. You are going to be so handsome at school.”
She removes his cape, brushes her hands across his shoulders, then lets the chair down, he climbs out. He looks at me and I nod, nudging him to thank and tip Red. I gave him a twenty before he walked in. After pulling it out of his pocket, he raises the bill up to her.
“Here. Thank you,” he says.
