Pushin' Page 12

  “I’ll take a pretzel,” I say, reaching for my purse. Chance gives me the same look Jeremy does when I try to pay.

  “I know you didn’t insult me like that, right?” Chance asks. I put my purse back on the table and sit down across from Mickey, who puts in her order, too.

  “I’ll come with you, man,” Nigel says. “You’re going to need help carrying all the food.” I grab my backpack, ready to get my study on unless Mickey wants to apologize, which I doubt.

  Mickey and I sit in silence for a few moments after the guys leave, neither one of us ready to take the first step toward reconciliation. I couldn’t care less if she talks to me, but it seems silly not to be friends right now. I should be overexcited about my recent triumphs and able to share them with my girl, but instead I’m sitting here trying not to look her in the eye. Mickey doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to need all the help she can get when that baby comes, and Nellie can’t be counted on for something as serious as this. Nickey will be born soon, and there’s no time to make enemies out of old friends, especially not good ones.

  I reach inside my bag and claim the small container of belly balm to give to Mickey. Tired of the stank vibe, I decide to be the bigger woman and suck it up.

  “Truce?” I ask, sliding the yellow container across the table. Mickey looks at it and then up at me. Without saying a word, she takes the ointment, opens the top, lifts her stretched-out tank top and smears it all over her stomach, making us both laugh.

  “Girl, I needed that,” Mickey says, vigorously rubbing her skin. “I thought I was going to go crazy if I didn’t get some more of this stuff. Thank you, Jayd.” For Mickey, that’s as close to an apology as I’m going to get, and I’ll take it.

  “You are very welcome,” I say, reaching across the small table and feeling her hard stomach. It won’t be long now.

  “Look who’s talking,” Nigel says as he and Chance bring over the feast of junk food. Nigel looks more relieved that Mickey and I are cool than I do. I never thought how much stress it puts on Nigel when Mickey starts tripping on me. He was my friend first and will always be there for me, no matter how pissed off Mickey gets. I think she’s starting to understand.

  “Hey, there’s Jeremy’s team,” Chance says, pointing at the surfers lining up at the water, ready to dive in. “They’re starting now.”

  “Go Jeremy!” I yell at the top of my lungs. I doubt he heard me over the loud waves and other sounds from the busy crowd surrounding the shore this afternoon, but it was worth a shot.

  “Kick some surfer ass, white boy!” Mickey yells, causing heads to turn. “What did I say?” Nigel, Chance, and I look at our girl and bust up laughing. This is just what we all needed. Hopefully it will stay this light all day and my baby will win the competition. That’s all we need to make this day perfect.

  After a few hours of surfing, the announcement is made.

  Jeremy’s team came in first in two out of seven categories. I still don’t quite get it, but I’m glad, however it all adds up, that Jeremy came out on top.

  “He did it! My baby won!” I scream, again causing all eyes to be on us, but who cares? We’re used to being the black sheep in the crowd—literally. I can’t wait to hug and kiss my boo.

  “That wasn’t nearly as boring as I thought it was going to be,” Mickey says while she and Nigel clear the table. Chance and I finished cleaning our trash and are waiting for Jeremy to come over and get his props.

  “Boring? Girl, please. This is sportsmanship at its finest: a man, a board, and the sea. There’s nothing like it.” Chance’s nostalgia goes over both our heads. Nigel loves sports and feels his boy but personally, I don’t understand how anyone could want to get in the ice-cold water for any amount of time, especially with sharks and jellyfish out there that can kill a sistah quick. I’m cool with cheerleading.

  “Hey, I’m glad you guys could make it,” Jeremy says, approaching our table. I jump into Jeremy’s arms before any one else gets to congratulate my man.

  “Hey, man, you were pretty bad-ass out there,” Chance says, giving him a high five.

  “Yeah, man, you really did your thing,” Nigel says, shaking Jeremy’s hand as we walk to the table. “I hate to rush out, but Mickey and I have Lamaze class in an hour.”

  “Good job, white boy,” Mickey says, punching Jeremy in the arm. Jeremy snickers at Mickey’s comment, now used to the way she rolls. Mickey’s a lot to handle on a good day, and a hurricane on a bad one. “See you later, Jayd. And thanks again for the balm.”

  “No problem, Mickey. See y’all later,” I say to my friends, glad we’re all okay again for the time being. As they walk to ward their car, Alia walks up, headed straight for Chance.

  “Hey, guys,” Alia says, giving me a big hug. “Good job out there, Jeremy.”

  “Thanks,” Jeremy says, holding me tightly now that I’m back in his arms. I watch Chance eyeing Alia, who is a very attractive girl and she has a kind heart, not to mention brains. She’s a little shorter than Chance, but much taller than me, with long blond hair hanging down to her butt. Alia returns the look, smiling at Chance and blushing: White girls can’t hide when they’re feeling a guy, like a sistah can.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask Alia, trying to break up the obvious energy between her and my friend. Even if Nellie’s being a bitch right now, I don’t feel comfortable watching her boyfriend flirt with another girl in my presence.

  “My brother’s on one of the other surf teams. They came in second,” Alia says, still looking at Chance. This girl’s got it bad, and from what I can see, Chance is catching the fever, too. “We’re all going to hang out at my house. Are you guys coming?” Alia’s asking all of us but only talking to one person.

  “I’m actually not up for a big party in Palos Verdes tonight, but, Jeremy, if you want to hang out with your friends, I can respect that. You deserve to party, baby,” I say, looking up at my man. He looks damn good in his black wet suit with his bushy brown curls all over his head, kissed by all the sun they’ve been getting due to his hectic surf schedule this past month.

  “Jayd, please. There’s no party without you,” Jeremy says, bending down to kiss me on the nose. I love being in love with someone who loves me right back. “I’m starving. Let me hit the showers real quick and grab my stuff. Then we can grab some dinner. Later, and tell your bro I said good surf,” Jeremy says to Alia and Chance, who look like they’re already having a good time.

  “Have fun,” I say to Chance and Alia as they stroll off toward the pre-party by the water. Nellie better get on her A game or she’s going to be dropped like a hot biscuit. I don’t blame Chance if he does leave Nellie on the sidelines, with the way she’s been acting lately. Life’s too short for tripping broads and, like Chance, I’m all for enjoying the moment. And right now, my man’s calling me to come over to where his car’s parked, and I’m ready to enjoy the ride.

  Much to both our pleasures, Jeremy and I decide on our all-time favorite pizza spot off Manhattan Beach Boulevard. It’s packed this afternoon, but that’s a given. It’s a beautiful day, and outside is the best place to be.

  “Congratulations, honey. This one’s on me,” I say, pulling out my wallet and paying for Jeremy’s food. He looks at me like he’s seeing something straight out of Guinness World Records. I guess he’s never had a girl insist on paying.

  “Jayd, I told you, girl. Your money’s no good with me.” Jeremy tries to take his wallet out but the cashier, completely unfazed by our cuteness, takes the twenty out of my hand and pays the bill. That settles that.

  “And I’ve got the movie, too, so don’t even try it when we get to the theater,” I say, smiling big as all outdoors. It feels good to be able to treat my man sometimes. It’s not often that I can afford to feed anyone else, but because of my extra tips this week and the money Mama gave me for helping her fill some of her clients’ orders, I’m doing okay. I also had several clients last night and this morning, putting me over the t
hreshold for my half of Mama’s stove. She’ll be a little upset at first that I spent the money, but then she’ll get over it, just like Jeremy.

  “Has anyone ever told you you’re pushy, Miss Jackson?” Jeremy asks, taking the plastic cups and lids from the cashier and leading the way to the soda machine.

  “This is a special occasion, Jeremy. Besides, can’t I treat my man sometimes?” Not to mention I feel guilty about all the hell I’ve wreaked on him lately. Between my dreams and the drama with Rah, we’ve been going through it.

  “Yes, you can,” Jeremy says, bending his tall frame down to meet my tiptoed stance. We kiss for what seems like forever as we wait for our food. I can feel all eyes on us, but I don’t care. We’re in love and the haters can hate if they want to. Jeremy and I’ve missed hanging and I’m looking forward to a summer full of days like this.

  “Aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes?” Tania says, interrupting our public display of affection and leading her rich-girl crew into the quaint pizza joint. I guess once an alpha bitch, always one. She’s dressed in the finest maternity clothes money can buy. I have to admit, the Persian princess looks cute pregnant, even if she is way too young to be a model for Motherhood. Because of Mickey I know way too much about the latest in maternity fashion.

  “Tania,” Jeremy says, his olive complexion turning the whitest I’ve ever seen at the sight of his baby-mama and her bulging stomach entering the building. I knew the day would come when Jeremy would have to acknowledge his impending fatherhood, but I didn’t think it would be today. Jeremy takes a deep breath, leaning against the cool metal rail framing the drink bar. I reach for the cups and lids before he forgets they’re in his hands.

  “Hi, Jeremy,” Tania says, obviously pleased with the level of discomfort Jeremy’s in. Laura and the rest of the girls spot a booth and take a seat well within earshot. I know they want to witness this reunion, and I’m not going anywhere either. I fill our cups and wait for the next move.

  “So, how’s everything going?” Jeremy asks, obviously nervous, although I’m not sure why. He folds his tanned bare arms across his chest, bracing himself.

  “Very well. I love New York City. The fashion, the nightlife—everything is so exciting,” Tania says, but I’m wondering what kind of nightlife an eight-and-a-half-month-pregnant eighteen-year-old can really have. “The weather’s a bit harsh, but my husband’s taking very good care of me.” Something about Tania’s answer makes me uneasy. I know she’s lying, but why? While she and Jeremy continue their falsely polite conversation, I’m going to probe her mind to see what I can find out, if she’ll let me in.

  “That’s good to hear. I’m glad it’s all working out for you,” Jeremy says. I can hear both regret and relief in his voice. I’ll worry about him later. Right now, Tania’s thoughts are my main concern. I place our drinks down next to the bar, moving over so the other customers can fill their cups and so I can have a better view of Tania.

  I focus on Tania’s dark brown eyes, noticing her freshly threaded thick brows in the process. This girl must be more expensive to maintain than a Rolls-Royce. The diamond solitaire earrings in her lobes make it easier for me to cool her mind. Mama says certain stones carry certain vibrations and the clear ones are of the most assistance for our line of work, giving calm vibes to both the possessor and practitioner. Tania’s mind is now completely cool, allowing me easy access and I’m in.

  As she thinks of what to say next, I catch Tania’s thoughts before they become words. She wants to tell Jeremy she’s sorry about how this all went down, that her husband is boring, controlling, and never home. She hates her life in New York but does love the city, even if she’s all alone on a good day and stuck with her rude in-laws on a bad one. She wants to come back home, but it’s not an option for her. And worst of all—per her marriage agreement—as soon as their son is born, she has to have another baby for her husband. Now instead of slightly envying Tania, I actually feel sorry for her. At least she had more choices when she was a high school student. Now, Tania’s being forced into a world of motherhood and wifehood way too soon.

  “So, how long are you visiting for?” Jeremy asks, looking down at her belly and back at me. This is making my man feel very awkward, but Tania’s the one in pain.

  “I’m not sure,” Tania says, giving me a look of pure disdain, even with me inside of her mind like I am. She’s checking out my bebe sandals—one of my first gifts from Jeremy—Apple Bottoms jeans and simple yellow wifebeater, sizing me up. She’s wondering what Jeremy could possibly see in a hood girl like me. Focusing on the neat cornrows hanging over my shoulders, Tania looks into my eyes, noticing me staring back at her. I see her envy of me all too clearly. Now I wish I didn’t know what I know. That’s the thing about my mom’s powers: Sometimes I get more than I bargain for. Talk about being careful what you wish for. Tania and I both have that flaw in common.

  “You’re back here for good?” Jeremy’s question is more of a plea, and we all know it. If his child were living around the corner it would be impossible for them to pretend like it isn’t his. Jeremy’s father has already made it clear that there are no brown babies allowed at their family reunions, so having his illegitimate child nearby would cause a lot of friction in their household, guaranteed.

  “Oh, don’t get your Birkenstocks in a bunch, Jeremy. I’m only going to be here to deliver the baby, since my husband’s out of town on business,” Tania says, showing off her rocks for all to see. That’s quite a wedding band set for a young girl. It must be nice. If Mickey were here she’d flip out, and Nigel wouldn’t hear the end of it. “My entire family is here and I wanted to come home where I’d have some help,” Tania says, rubbing her stomach like Mickey does. Her girls look at her, then at each other, realizing they might be called upon to help out, too, and I know they’re not feeling that at all. Tania looks back at her friends, who immediately look out the window and then back at Jeremy and me, envious of our relationship. As if I didn’t have enough resident haters on deck, now this broad is back to help the cause. I’m sure Nellie and Misty will be pleased with the new addition to their “I hate Jayd” sorority.

  “Number fifty-nine,” the cashier says, finally calling our number. Grateful for the relief, Jeremy walks back to the counter, hands the cashier our receipt and grabs our tray after thanking her. I gently ease out of Tania’s mind, refocusing my attention on my date, but not before I catch Tania daydreaming about what it would be like if she and Jeremy were still together. No, this heffa isn’t still feeling my man.

  “You look great,” I say to Tania, who hasn’t taken her eyes off me but has said nothing to me yet.

  “I would say the same thing about you, Jayd, but lying isn’t good for the baby,” Tania says, smiling. I don’t want to slap a pregnant chick, but I will if need be. I don’t need to read her mind to see that she wishes her life was as simple as she assumes mine to be. I wouldn’t call my path easy, but at least I don’t have a husband and a kid to worry about—as if. Tania and Mickey have surely got that bitch thing down pat. I hope in both their cases it wears off with the delivery because if it doesn’t, they’re both going to have a hard time getting help from their friends. Family may have to stick by them, but we don’t.

  “You want to eat outside?” Jeremy asks, obviously ready to leave this uncomfortable scene behind, and so am I. I already know the real deal with Tania, and like the credit card commercial says, that’s priceless.

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” I reclaim our drinks and walk toward the front door, winking at Tania as we head outside. She can hate all she wants, but I’ve got the life she wishes she still had and the man, too. It’s hard to feel too much sympathy when the broad makes it so easy to hate her.

  “See you around, Tania,” Jeremy says, taking one last glance at his unborn child before following me out the open double doors. “And good luck with the delivery and all. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  “Whatever,” Tania
says, sitting in the booth with her girls. She’s trying to put on a brave front, but I know she wants to cry. What did she expect? Did Tania really think that she and Jeremy would be able to get back together after all that’s happened? Tania didn’t even bother to tell him she was pregnant until after her parents found her a husband to make it all legit in their eyes. And I don’t know what Laura has been telling her about Jeremy and me, but we’re solid and not going anywhere anytime soon. Not to sound mean, but I already lost one dude to an ex-girlfriend who happens to have his child, and I’ll be damned if the same thing happens with us.

  “Are you okay, baby?” I ask, sitting across from Jeremy at the only available table on the small outdoor patio. With the weather being warm, there are more people eating outside than in.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little shook up, that’s all. And hungry,” he says, taking one of the four large slices and folding it in half before stuffing the pizza into his mouth. I’m hungry, too. “Thanks for being so cool about everything, Jayd,” he says, adjusting his mouth to the hot food without taking a break in his eating.

  “We all have shit, Jeremy.” We do, but I don’t want to talk about it.

  After a few moments of quiet eating, Jeremy finishes the last slice of his pepperoni while I’m still on my first piece. He eyes my barbeque chicken slice and smiles. I guess surfing really works up an appetite.

  “’Bye, you two,” Tania says, with her followers leading the way into the busy parking lot, ruining our vibe. Laura’s driving her new Mercedes-Benz, slightly inciting the hater in me. These broads around here know nothing about hard work.

  The four girls pile into the cute ride with Tania carefully squeezing into the front seat. Her girls look at her, the two in the back holding the pizza and snickering at her large form. I can see the humiliation on Tania’s face and it only makes me feel more sorry. But before I can get out the sympathy violin, Tania shoots me an evil glare, slamming the door.