It's a Curl Thing

by Jacquelin Thomas

  She looks pretty in an aqua maternity dress that comes just above her knees. The white leggings and silver strappy mules she’s wearing really complete the look, showing that even though you’re pregnant, you can still look fashionable.

  “I should take a picture of her and send it to Dee,” I say.

  Mimi holds out her camera phone and snaps. “Beat you to it.”

  We acknowledge Ava when she comes toward us.

  “You’re Divine’s friends, right?” Ava asks.

  “Yes,” Mimi responds. “You know my parents, Richard and Dean Reuben.”

  Brushing a stray curl out of her face, Ava flashes a pretty smile. “I sure do. I did a feature on your father about three years ago.” I know Divine isn’t really crazy about her, but she seems nice. It wasn’t cool what she did to Miss Kara, but I think she really wants to get to know Divine. Ava was so in love with Jerome that she picked a public fight with Miss Kara and then sued her. Divine said her mom had to pay out a cool million.

  I introduce Traven and Leon to Ava. “Leon has a part in the movie.”

  “Congratulations,” she tells him.

  Traven and Leon excuse themselves to meet some other family members just arriving.

  Ava looks as if she’s searching for something to say. She finally settles on, “When you talk to Divine, please tell her that I said hello. Her father told me that she’s coming out here in June.”

  “She is,” Mimi confirms. “She and Alyssa will be here June sixteenth.”

  “Well, I hope to see her during her visit.”

  “We’ll let her know that we saw you,” Mimi and I say in unison.

  Rubbing her swollen belly, Ava walks over to where Mimi’s parents are standing.

  “She is really huge,” Mimi blurts.

  “Yeah,” I say. “She kind of looks a bit deformed with her belly being so big. I’m sure she can’t wait to get that baby out of her.”

  Inside the theater, Mimi and I sit with Traven and his family.

  Afterward, Traven whispers in my ear, “So what did you really think of the movie?”

  I laugh before responding, “It’s just okay. What did you think of it?”

  He agrees. “I was hoping this would be Leon’s big break, but nobody’s gonna really notice him. He said that most of the scenes with him in them ended up on the cutting room floor.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Yeah,” Traven affirms. “Leon’s not gonna give up, though. He’ll keep auditioning until he makes the big time. That’s how he is.”

  “That’s good. He shouldn’t give up on his dream.”

  “He’s not,” he responds. “It’s not in his makeup.” His eyes never leave my face.

  “Traven, will you stop staring at me like that?” I say in a loud whisper.

  “I can’t help it. You look so good in that outfit.”

  “It’s just a pair of jeans and a shirt, Traven.” This dude is so full of it.

  “You look great in everything. Well, except that ugly plaid skirt you have to wear to school.”

  I laugh. “What are you talking about, Traven? Humph! I look good in navy-and-green plaid.”

  We walk toward the nearest exit door, merging with the sea of people who came to the premiere.

  Leon gestures for Traven to join him, so I look for Mimi, who’s a few yards away. I wait for her to catch up. “What happened to you?”

  “I saw Bow Wow and went over to say hello.”

  “Girl, you should’ve told me,” I say. “I love me some Bow Wow.”

  “I figured you’d sworn off boys, and besides, you were over there talking to Traven.”

  “Humph. If I’d known you were going to talk to Bow Wow, I would’ve left him in the dust.”

  Mimi’s parents usher us into the limo so that we can head to a reception being held at a nearby hotel.

  I look for Traven as soon as we arrive but don’t see him.

  “They haven’t arrived yet,” Mimi tells me. “Don’t worry. Traven should be here soon.”

  I send her a sharp glare. “I told you that he’s just like the other guys. All he thinks about is sex.”

  “You two just seemed so happy at the prom,” Mimi says when she walks up to the buffet table. “I thought that maybe Traven was going to be your boyfriend.”

  “We’re friends.” I fill Mimi in on what Traven said prom night. “Now do you understand why I’m keeping my distance? He figured we’d get it on in the limo—how tacky is that?”

  “Rhyann, it’s just you and me. Why won’t you admit you like the boy?” Mimi asks, folding her arms across her chest. “It’s like, so obvious.”

  I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and I glance over my shoulder. Traven is coming into the room, as if on cue.

  “Mimi, will you keep your voice down? He’s right over there,” I say. “I’ll be honest. I was interested in dating him, but not anymore.”

  She peeks behind me. “Rhyann, are you sure?”

  “Traven is a playa. Mimi, I deserve better.”

  I pick up a glass containing six shrimp and some cocktail sauce, then, using the utensils provided, I grab two mini crab cakes and place them on my plate. We head to the jalapeño meatballs next.

  “Rhyann, I know you have feelings for Traven. And he seems crazy about you.”

  I shrug. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “So you won’t give him a chance?”

  “I can’t. Mimi, when Traven was having girlfriend issues, he came to me for advice. When I was having boy problems, Traven was there for me. Who do we go to if we’re the ones involved?” I release a long sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe I am scared because I don’t want to risk losing a friend. He’s really been there for me, you know? Almost like a big brother. I know all his secrets, and that boy loves himself some girls. He already told me that he’s cheated on two of his ex-girlfriends. I don’t need all that drama in my life.”

  During the past year, my feelings for Traven began to transform slowly, but I’m not about to open my heart for him to trample all over it.

  I follow Mimi over to the table where her mother is sitting. It might be my imagination, but to me, Miss Dean doesn’t look too happy being left alone at the table like that. Her mouth is clenched tight, and she looks unapproachable.

  “Maybe we should give your mom some space,” I whisper to Mimi.

  “Why? She’s just sitting here by herself. We should keep her company.” Mimi drops down in the empty chair next to her mother and asks, “Where’s Father?”

  “He’s making the rounds,” her mother responds dryly. “Mimi dear, you’re old enough to know the game.”

  One of the waiters working the reception brings over a plate of food for her. “Your husband asked that I deliver this to you,” he says. “He wasn’t sure what you wanted to drink, though.”

  “I’ll take a glass of white wine, please.”

  “That’s so sweet of Father,” Mimi says with a smile.

  Her mother does not respond.

  Traven and Leon stroll over to the table, and Mimi quickly invites them to join us. My personal matchmaker. Thankfully, Leon doesn’t ask our opinion of the movie.

  The waiter returns with Miss Dean’s wine. She downs it quickly and asks for another. I pretend not to notice.

  I spend the rest of my evening talking and dancing with Traven. Kyle and his father show up around midnight after coming from another function. Mimi practically jumps in Kyle’s arms, she’s so happy to see him. Leon takes turns dancing with me and Mimi.

  “Your cousin is so nice,” I tell Traven. “I like him.”

  “We’re very close.”

  “I can tell. You two act more like brothers than you and Todd.”

  “Me and Todd, we’re close, too.”

  “But you seem more like best friends to me.”

  “That’s because we are,” he says. “Todd is my best friend.”

  I guess Miss Dean has had enough of sitting at the table
alone, so she walks out to the dance floor to announce that we’re leaving in a couple of minutes. I spot Mimi’s dad standing a few yards away talking to some woman who looks at least twenty years younger than him. Mimi’s mom sees him at about the same time and heads straight for them.

  The woman makes a quick disappearing act while Miss Dean looks like she’s giving her husband an earful.

  “Mother’s sure in a mood,” Mimi whispers when we spot her coming back to the table. “She’s going to want to leave. I bet she’s got another one of her headaches.”

  I can’t tell if Mimi is covering for her mother or she actually believes what she’s saying. I rise to my feet when she says, “We’d better get going.”

  We say our good-byes and head to the nearest exit.

  This is exactly what I’m trying to avoid. Getting played is so out of fashion this season.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning, Mimi’s parents allow us to sleep until ten, which I truly appreciate. Auntie Mo would be like, “Time to get up. It’s almost eight o’clock and you need to get your chores out of the way. The day will be gone before you know it.”

  Like, where’s it going?

  Mimi’s parents have a housekeeper, so they don’t do any of the cleaning or laundry. Mimi gets an allowance that’s twice what I get and she doesn’t do a thing to earn it. I’m not hating on her, though. I don’t mind working for my money.

  Mimi’s my friend and all, but she’s a spoiled brat and she knows it.

  Divine calls the house around noon to talk to Mimi. I pick up one of the extensions so that I can join the conversation.

  Divine asks, “So who went to the premiere last night besides Ava? Anything happen that I should know about?”

  Divine likes to stay up on all the Hollywood gossip.

  “Nobody special was there,” Mimi responds. “Oh, Traven was there with his cousin Leon. You know him—Leon’s been a dancer in Usher’s music video, and he was in one of Omarion’s videos, too.”

  “He was also in The Father’s Day Project with your dad, too,” I interject.

  “Yeah, he was.”

  “I think I know who you’re talking about. He’s the one with the cross tattooed on his shoulder, right?”

  “Yeah,” I respond. “He’s really trying to break into acting.”

  We talk a little more about him until the conversation changes to fashion.

  “My mom bought these cute shoes from Bloomingdale’s,” Divine tells us. “I can’t wait to come to Los Angeles, because I want to see if I can find some more. They come in red, black, and navy. I want to get the red ones.”

  “I bought some fierce sandals from T.J. Maxx,” I announce, not to be outdone. “They only cost me twenty-nine dollars, and I’m telling you…they are so cute.”

  “I didn’t know that T.J. Maxx sold shoes,” Mimi says.

  “Mimi, have you ever been in a T.J. Maxx store?” Dee inquires with a chuckle.

  “I think I have,” she responds. “Didn’t I go with you one time, Rhyann?”

  “If you did, I don’t remember.”

  “Girl, we went to T.J. Maxx when you wanted to pick out a Christmas present for Chester, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “It had some nice stuff, but you kind of have to really look for it,” Mimi says doubtfully. “Too much work.”

  She is sounding defensive, and Divine picks up on it. Smooth as silk, she changes the subject. “I can’t believe Ava is so huge,” Divine says. “If you hadn’t sent me that picture, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

  “Dee, are you still planning on spending time with her when you come out here?” Mimi questions.

  “I promised Jerome that I would. I’m spending like a week with her after the baby is born. I want to get to know my baby sister—that’s the only reason.”

  Divine is still a little upset over Jerome and Ava getting married, although she denies it. Deep down, she really would like her parents back together. She’s also not too thrilled that her mom is engaged to that fine Kevin Nash. I wish Auntie Mo could find a man like that. I certainly wouldn’t have a problem with it at all.

  “How does your mom feel about you spending time with Ava?” Mimi asks.

  “She says that it won’t bother her. She’s too into Kevin and planning their wedding right now.”

  “You can’t blame her,” I interject. “Your mom is getting married. She’s excited. You know we’d be feeling the same way if it was us.”

  “You’re right,” Mimi says. “I just know that she doesn’t like Ava.”

  “Mom’s not tripping off her anymore,” Divine states. “She and Jerome are cool with each other. I guess they’re trying to be friends or something for my sake,” she says, sounding annoyed. “It beats having all the divorced parent drama.”

  “I’m so glad my parents are happy with each other,” Mimi states. “I’m so lucky.”

  Divine and I both remain silent, not wanting to burst her little bubble. Mimi’s parents don’t even look like they’re together when they are standing side by side. If they’re a happy couple, I would rather have misery for the rest of my life, because they look like they can barely stand to be in the same room together. He even left her sitting at a table alone for most of the evening.

  I know Mimi’s very self-absorbed, but c’mon…can she really be that blind?

  May 12th

  I had so much fun at the movie premiere on Saturday. I think it was mostly because Traven was there. Mimi is cool and one of my best friends, but she can be so self-centered at times, it can be a little frustrating. I spent the weekend with Mimi and her family. Now it’s Monday and back to another week of school. At least I have my new job, which I start officially tomorrow.

  It’s time for me to leave for school, so I have to end this entry for now. I’ll write more soon.

  As soon as I step on campus, I walk over to the area where Mimi and I hang out every morning until the bell rings. She’s already there.

  Her face is red and her eyes are swollen.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask. “Did something happen?”

  “Kyle and I had a fight.”

  I sit down beside her, dropping my backpack on the ground. “About what, Mimi?”

  “That’s just it. I don’t really know. He just started tripping on me.” A single tear rolls down her cheek.

  “Mimi, don’t cry,” I say. “Get yourself together, girl. You don’t want Kyle to see you sitting over here crying like a baby.”

  She pulls a tissue out of her purse and wipes her face.

  “Now touch up your makeup. You never let a boy see you cry. What in the world are you thinking? You’re about to lose your cool points with me.”

  Mimi repairs her makeup and then asks, “Okay, how do I look?”

  I smile. “Like a diva.”

  “I’m crazy about Kyle, but I don’t know if I can handle those stupid moods of his.”

  I don’t like the sound of that. “You better check that dude. Don’t get so wrapped up with him that you need to go into therapy or something.”

  She chuckles. “I’m not going out like that. I just get so frustrated because I don’t know what I keep doing wrong.”

  “It’s probably him, Mimi. Kyle has issues—that’s what it sounds like.”

  I dispense more relationship advice until the bell rings, as if I’m Doctor Love.

  I haven’t taken two steps before this girl nearly runs me over trying to catch up with her friends. I break into a run to catch up with her with Mimi hot on my tracks.

  I reach out and grab the girl by the arm before Mimi can stop me. This is another Jewish person acting like they have the right to walk over people. “Hey! It’s only polite to say excuse me when you almost knock a person down.”

  “What are you talking about?” she responds, snatching her arm away.

  “You practically knocked me down back there.”

  “No, I didn’t,” she argues.

&nbs
p; I take a step forward, invading her space. “Yeah, you did, and I don’t appreciate it. You better stop being so rude before somebody gives you a beat down.”

  I walk off. Normally, I don’t fly off the handle like that, but I’m tired of the way my family is treated by Jewish people. The Cohens are giving my aunt a hard time since she demanded more money, and now this chick is trying to walk through me as if I’m invisible. I really can’t stand Jews right now.

  This is not the way I wanted my day to begin.

  By lunchtime, Mimi and Kyle are back on speaking terms. I’m trying to eat lunch and he’s hugging and kissing on her like they’re the only two people sitting here.

  “Maybe you two should get a room,” I say dryly.

  Mimi laughs. “Kyle’s leaving school early today. He has a doctor’s appointment.”

  Like I care.

  I try to finish off my sub sandwich without getting sick to my stomach from the two lovebirds.

  Finally, I’ve had enough and I say, “I’ll see you later. Bye, Kyle.”

  He hands me my backpack and returns his attention to Mimi.

  Seeing them together like this only reminds me of how lonely I feel at times. Plus, I’m a little irritated that Kyle intruded during the time Mimi and I have together. The lunch period is our time. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

  The rest of the school day drags by slowly.

  By the time I reach my sixth-period class, I’m so ready for the bell to ring. Today just wasn’t a good day at all.

  My Tuesday starts much better.

  After school, I take the bus to the salon. Auntie Mo has to work late again, so I’ll see her at home later. When she called me, I could tell she was upset. She even said something about quitting.

  The red baron blows into the salon with her red hair and red nails. This time she’s wearing a crisp white linen pantsuit with a red patent leather belt. I like her red patent leather sandals, too, with the matching handbag.

  “Is that little girlie here today?” Ann Goldberg asks as soon as she’s seated in Miss Marilee’s chair. “Oh, there you are. I’ll take a latte and some lemon pound cake.”

  “Please…” First I had to deal with Gilda nearly knocking me down yesterday and now her. What is it with these people?