The Yin Yang Effect

by Dana Littlejohn

  She covered her mouth, snickering. “What? Cyber sex? Get outta here. Miss Betty? She’s like, what, in her 60’s?”

  Jackie nodded. “Yeah, she just turned 65 in April.”

  “Wow.”

  “I don’t trust that online thing. People don’t always tell the truth in person, let alone on the world wide web. You know what I mean?”

  She frowned. “Yeah, I agree. Have you spoken to her about it? I mean if it really bothers you…”

  “Yes, I’ve spoken to her, but she won’t listen. My sister meets and dates men from online all the time, so she encourages her to talk to people online. I haven’t seen her since Monday, but she did call me yesterday. She told me about her little date and said she’d call with details, but I haven’t heard from her.”

  “Well, if she comes in to brag, I’ll tell her to call you from right here. Ok?”

  “Thanks.” She knocked on the counter again and left.

  Opal went out to the styling floor and sat at the station she left empty for her use.

  “Have any of you seen Miss Betty around since she left here yesterday?”

  “Nope.” Angel covered her client’s face and sprayed her head with oil sheen.

  “Uh-uh, honey, spunky old ladies don’t hang out in my neighborhood,” Sean said pinning another roller to his client’s head.

  “Why, Chica is something wrong?”

  “I don’t know. Her daughter was just here and she hasn’t seen her since Monday, but she said she spoke to her yesterday.”

  “Humph, sounds like Miss Betty is getting her freak on,” Sean’s client said laughing.

  He popped her lightly with the comb on the shoulder. “Stop that, girl. Nobody wants that visual stuck in their heads,” he said with a light laugh.

  “I don’t know. She did say she was meeting some cute old man at the mall.

  Maybe she did get lucky,” Angel said joining in their laughter.

  “I touched up her manicure yesterday, too,” Krystal said cleaning her area.

  “Sure sounds like she got lucky to me.”

  “Wow, I hope I’m that active when I get her age,” Sean’s client said.

  “Girl, please, you wish you were that active now.” Sean laughed again and everyone laughed with him.

  “Whatever, Sean,” she said and laughed too. “Everyone’s love life can’t be as fulfilling as yours.”

  “Shoot, from what I hear Sean should be giving classes on ‘How to snag a man 101,’” Angel said.

  “You kitties sound a little jealous to me,” he said in a singing voice.

  “Hell no, we ain’t jealous, but I think Angel is right. Instead of dogging us you should be teaching us, since you think you know so much.”

  “Well, you know how the old saying goes, ‘who knows better what a man wants than another man?’”

  “Oh please, I don’t need any tips from fag boy here on how to catch a man. I’m looking for straight men,” Krystal said spinning in her chair.

  Everyone’s “Oooh” was in unison.

  “That’s fag ‘Man’, Miss Ghetto Barbie. If you’re going to insult me, at least add some respect to it.”

  The Ooohs were silenced and their laughter roared up again.

  “I don’t know. I think I have to agree with Krystal. If we take tips from fag man over there…” Debbie pointed her thumb at Sean and winked at him.

  He grabbed the oil sheen and curtsied. “Thank you, girl.”

  “Won’t we just pick up more fags?” she finished.

  Opal shrugged. “I don’t know. Men are men, right? They know what they like. So, who better to teach us then one of their own?”

  “Yeah, but, gay men like their sex a little different than the men who will be wanting us, don’t they, Chica?” She chuckled.

  Sean held up one finger. “Excuse you? Maybe I should just give a class just to remind you kitties that gay men are people, too.” He rolled his eyes and tapped his clients shoulder. “Let’s go, honey, it’s time to dry.” He threw his nose in the air and left.

  “That fool called me Ghetto Barbie.”

  Everyone turned to her and their laughter renewed. Opal walked off the floor, laughing, following the sound of the bells.

  “Hey, lady. What’s up?”

  “Hi, Rakim. I see Debbie hooked you up. Your braids look good.”

  He slid his hands over his head, smiling. “She always does. Is she free? My friend wants braids, too, he’s out parking the car. You remember Doug, right?”

  “Doug…Doug… Is that the tall white boy you hang with? Poofy hair that looks like a ‘fro, kinda cute? Yeah, I think I recall him.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, that’s him. He’s been letting it grow out so he could get it braided.” He looked at the door. “Here he is now.”

  Doug walked in and slapped him five. He was way taller and thinner than his friend with a mass of wild, untamed golden curls that made him look even taller.

  “What’s up, baby girl?”

  She was surprised to hear such a smooth, deep voice come from such a slight frame and it showed on her face as she smiled.

  “How are you, Doug? So, you’re finally going to let someone tame that bird’s nest of yours, huh?” she said with a chuckle.

  He shrugged. “How else was I going to meet you? Had to come up with something legit, right?”

  His statement and the beautiful smile that lit up his face, surprised her again and seemed to warm her all over, but this time she didn‘t let it show.

  “Uh-huh.” She stood and he put his arm through hers. “Whatever you say, Doug. What’s say we go see what miracle Debbie can come up with for this head of yours, shall we?”

  Trying to control his laughter Rakim followed behind them as they walked across the floor to Debbie’s station.

  “Hey, Rakim. How are you today?”

  “Looking good, Rakim.”

  “Rakim, I’m still waiting for that phone call.”

  “You always look so hot in your braids, Rakim.”

  The greetings came from the stylists and the clients. Rakim spun around, his best smile in place and his arms opened wide as he addressed them all.

  “Ladies, ladies, how are ya’ll doing today? You’re all looking as lovely as usual, but I have already dedicated myself to the pursuit of one woman. Ya’ll already know my heart belongs to Debbie. I only have eyes for her.”

  Disappointed noises came from everywhere.

  “Ladies, please, you have to know that if there were no Debbie, I‘d make time for each and every one of you.” He winked at them, and then continued to follow Opal across the floor, smiling at the giggles that followed him.

  Opal shook her head and continued walking to Debbie. She pulled her from her chair and sat Doug down.

  “This is Doug. He’s been here several times waiting on Rakim.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen him. What’s up?”

  “He wants braids.”

  She fingered a few curls. “Hmm, he needs a haircut.”

  “Yes, he does, but he wants braids.”

  “Come on, girl, I heard you were the best. Hook me up.”

  She looked at Rakim who was coming closer and closer to her. “You told him I was the best?”

  “Mmm, you always smell so damn good,” he whispered in her neck then spun around in front of her. “Yeah, you know I did.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.

  “You know you’re always number one in my book.”

  She snatched her hand from him. “Whatever, Rakim. Come on, Doug, let’s make a miracle.”

  Rakim shook his head and laughed as he watched her walk to the back room.

  “Boy, that woman sure can kill a man’s dream.”

  “So why do you keep trying, Rakim?” Opal asked, walking back to the desk with him in her wake.

  “Because she’s beautiful and smart and she doesn’t put up with no shit, especially my shit.” He chuckled and sighed, leaning on the counter. “Why won’t she take me seri
ously, Opal?”

  “Oh come on, Rakim. You know why.” She leaned back in the chair, rocking.

  “You’re a player-player, a man’s man. Women throw themselves at you. Your very aura oozes sex and they can feel it, Rakim. I can feel it and I don’t even like you like that. Huh, the word on the street is ‘Rakim will rock your world,’” she said letting a few giggles slip out. “The way you move and the way you talk to women…it’s all too obvious. Two minutes in your presence is all it takes, and any woman alive can feel it.”

  “Come on, Opal, that was back in the day. I ain’t like that no more. Besides, I was trying to hoe back then so I had to stay in Mack-daddy mode. I did what I had to do to get what I wanted. That shit’s hard to live up to after high school and it’s hard to keep up over the years.” He chuckled. “Shit, I’m getting old.”

  “Well, say what you want, but the reputation that you built up back then was the basis of first impressions and they never go away.”

  “I’m trying to get away from all that, Opal. I want me a real woman, not them crazy heifers who want to see if the rumors are true and I can really lay the pipe. I want to settle down, buy a house, and have a few kids…maybe a dog.”

  She chuckled. “Well, you better put your best foot forward because like I told you many moons ago, I ain’t helping you one bit. You’re on your own.”

  “Why did I know you were going to say that?” He dragged himself to the waiting area to watch TV.

  Opal shook her head, laughing, and continued the work she started earlier. A short while later she looked across the floor, checking on Doug’s progress.

  “Rakim, she’s just about done, if you want to go back over.”

  “Cool, thanks.”

  “Hi, Rakim,” Sean said as he walked by.

  He scowled and slowed down. “I told you, man, don’t even speak.”

  “Just trying to be social is all,” he said with a smirk as he pulled the rollers from his client’s head.

  He turned his lip up and continued walking toward Debbie.

  “So, Debbie, do you think your girl would give me some play if I came to her like that or what?” Doug asked.

  Her eyes caught his in the mirror. “What? Are you serious? You want to kick it with my Chica.”

  “Uhh, is that Opal?”

  She chuckled. “Yes, that’s Opal.”

  “Well then, yeah. She’s fine as hell.”

  She chuckled again. “Yeah, well, her personality is even better, you know.”

  “So I’ve heard, but I mean to find that out for myself.” He smiled.

  “When you gonna let me take you out, Debbie?” Someone breathed in her ear.

  She let out an exasperated breath. “We’ve had this conversation before, Rakim.”

  She could feel his body that was too close and backed him up with an elbow to the stomach, then put a rubber band on the end of the braid she was working on.

  He rubbed his stomach and moved to her other side, undeterred. “Yeah, I know, but I’m trying to wear you down.”

  “If she’s not interested, Rakim, you’re welcomed over here!”

  Debbie cut a look in the direction of the voice, as she put a rubber band on the braid she worked on.

  Rakim looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Thanks, Angel, but I told you, I’m only interested in Debbie.”

  “Ha! Whatever, Rakim,” she said working on the last braid.

  “Don’t be like that, girl, I’m serious. I’ve got my heart set on you and I’m not dealing with nobody else.”

  “Uh-huh. But I already said no.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t mean it,” he said with a teasing grin.

  She and Doug chuckled.

  “Oh, I don’t mean it, huh?”

  “Naah, not really. Once you get to know me, the real me, you’re gonna love me.”

  He leaned on her, back to back. “Come on girl; give me a chance to show you.”

  She moved and he fell on Doug.

  “Hey, get off me, man.” He pushed him up, laughing.

  “Sorry, man.”

  She grabbed the mirror off the ledge. “Humph, we’ll see. There you go, Doug. All done.”

  He turned this way and that and ran his hand over his head. “Yup, it definitely looks better braided and it’s worth every penny.” He handed her some money and the mirror. “Thanks, Debbie. Let’s go, man.”

  Rakim walked up so close to her that they were nose to nose and his lips caressed brushed hers as he whispered, “I’m wearing you down, girl, I can feel it.” He brushed his nose against hers and winked at her before following Doug off the floor.

  Doug leaned over the front counter. “So, what do you think?”

  “It looks great. Debbie always does a good job. She’s the best.”

  “I’ll be in the car, man. See ya, Opal.”

  “Bye, Rakim, remember what I said.”

  Doug nodded at him then returned his attention to Opal. “Ok, maybe I should rephrase the question. What I meant was, how do you like the braids on me? Me in the braids? How about just me, by myself?”

  She chuckled. “You want to know all that?”

  He laughed with her, a throaty, sexy laugh that put a smile on her face when she heard it.

  “Well, maybe not all of it. How about just this one; will you go out with me?”

  “I don’t know you, Doug.”

  “I’m trying to change that, baby girl, if you give me the chance. Let me take you out so you can get to know me. People who know me like me, you know.” He flashed that beautiful smile again.

  “They do, huh?” She chuckled, again.

  “Yeah, girl. Come on, let me show you.”

  “Well…”

  He came to the other side of the counter and pulled her up. “Will ‘please’ help my case?” he whispered.

  She looked up at him and was again surprised at the way her body responded to his. He held her firmly by the waist, pulling her closer, almost lifting her off her feet.

  She put her hands on his chest, pushing against him: the firmness of his chest exciting her more.

  “Umm, ok.” She reached back and pulled a business card from her desk and handed it to him. “You could, umm, call me and we’ll set something up.”

  He smiled again, dazzling her one more time. “Ok, I‘ll do that.” Letting her go, he pulled a pair of shades from his top pocket and put the card in its place. He gave her a wink and walked toward the door.

  “Umm, Doug?”

  He stopped, holding the door open and slid his shades down his nose.

  “You do look good in your braids, much better than that poof you started with,” she said with a teasing smile.

  He returned her smile. “Thanks…” he tapped his pocket and winked again. “and I will call.”

  Opal watched him go and made her way to the styling floor.

  “Oooh weee! You go, girl,” Angel said as she walked by.

  “What?”

  “Come on, Opal. Ain’t nothing wrong with having a little pure cane sugar to curb that sexual sweet tooth of yours,” Sean said as she walked by him. “Had me a few sugar cubes in my day that wasn’t half bad.”

  “Yeah, girl, he did have a nice little booty for a white boy.”

  “What are you guys talking about?”

  “Try it, Opal. I dated a white boy back in high school, he was cool. He let me do all kinds of tricks with him.” She giggled. “I didn’t even know you were into white boys.”

  She sat in her chair spinning back and forth. “I don’t go bar hopping looking for them, if that’s what you mean. But, yeah, I’ve done a couple of them in my time.”

  She sent an exaggerated winked at Debbie, who snickered behind her hand.

  “I mean, what, same shit, different color, right? Even you have to agree with that one, Sean.”

  He shook the plastic shoebox in his clients lap and continued throwing rollers into it.

  “I have no clue, girls. Being the one ma
n-man that I am, I wouldn’t be privy to that kind of knowledge.”

  The girls looked at each other and roared with laughter. Even his client joined in.

  “I wondered if you kitties would buy that. I was gonna break out my map to El Dorado next and put it up for auction,” he said with a giggle and a smirk.

  “Well anyway, Opal, I thought your white boy was cute, especially after Debbie did something to that head.”

  “He’s not my white boy.”

  “Really? Well, he did have a nice little booty, a nice tan and some sexy ass lips, too. I wanted to lick them from over here. So, if you really don’t want him, girl, I’ll be glad to take him off your hands.”

  “Damn, Angel. First you drool all over Rakim and now you’re going for Chica’s man? That’s bordering on hoe status, isn’t it?”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Hello…he’s not my man, guys. I don’t even know him, I just know of him.”

  “For your information, Debbie, all I’m doing is keeping my options open for whoever is available, and you’re just playing hard to get with Rakim.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Oooh, who are we talking about? Did I miss something?”

  “Oh look, girls. Ghetto Barbie can walk and talk at the same time.”

  Everyone’s laughter renewed.

  “Shut the hell up, Sean,” Krystal said sitting at her station. “Ok, what’d I miss?”

  “We’re talking about Opal’s white boy. He’s a cutie,” Angel said giggling.

  “Ok, again, he’s not my white boy. The man just said he’s interested in getting to know me better. I’m going to give him the same chance as anyone else.”

  There were groans and sputters from all over.

  “Hey! What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Girl, please. I only come in here every two weeks to get my hair done and I know how hard you are on men, so don’t act like its not common knowledge. That’s why you don’t have one now.”

  “What? That’s crap. I’ll have you know, Dawn, that my lack of a man is by choice,” she said with a huff.

  Everyone laughed.

  “For real.”

  They laughed harder.

  “Forget ya’ll.”

  “A white boy, huh? I stopped doing them back in high school.”

  “Girl please, who are you trying to fool. It’s more like they stopped doing you.”