Read Online Street Soldiers by L. Divine - Free Book Online Page A

clothes. Her sweats are rolled under her exposed belly and her t-shirt barely covers her large navel. Mickey wasn’t quite this cavalier when she was pregnant but close enough.
    “Yeah, I can try and fit you in tomorrow afternoon.” I don’t know how but I should be able to squeeze a few braids in his head in between clients if all rolls smoothly. When one person is late my whole day is thrown off. “Here’s my number.” I take one of my business cards out and pass it to her. I need to have some more made but have to stack up my cheddar first. New clients are just the way to get that done.
    “Aight, bet. My name’s Channel. Say hi to Jayd, Jason.”
    Jason looks at me hard like if I take one step toward him he’s going to kick me in the shins. I hope he melts a little once I get my hands in his hair. Maybe I’ll ask Mama for a recipe to cool a child’s head when in my chair. I don’t want to have to wrestle a five year old to the ground to do his hair.
    “It’s nice to meet you,” I say. “See y’all tomorrow.”
    After paying for my items I leave the store ready to get my Friday night started. Hopefully I’ll sleep better than I have all week. Pam came to me again in my dreams repeating the same mantra from three days ago. I told Mama and Netta at the shop yesterday and they just told me to write it down, as usual. I’ve done more writing in my spirit journal than I did when I was first initiated over the summer. If I keep it up I can have a book of my own by the time I graduate from high school in June.
    “I think that’s the point,” my mom says as I walk through the front door. She’s wearing her Gazelle shades while checking the mail. I’m sure her fiancé Karl’s got something lovely planned for the weekend.
    “Mom, we’re going to have to talk about the misuse of your gift of sight.” I shut the door closed and give her a hug.
    “It’s nice to see you, too, little girl. Did you bring me something back?”
    “I didn’t know you were going to be here,” I say, setting the black plastic bag down on the dining room table.
    On cue, Shawntrese opens her door across the hall and taps on ours. It’s nearly impossible to sneak in this building.
    “Hey, girl,” I say, letting Shawntrese and my new client inside.
    “And who’s this cutie,” my mom says aloud, but in my head I can feel she’s not too pleased with a child in her peaceful abode.
    “This is Chrystal, Leroy’s baby girl,” Shawntrese says prompting the shy child to greet us. I’ll take a quiet kid over an ornery one like Jason any day.
    My mom shakes her hand and smiles. “How old are you, baby?”
    “I’m six,” Chrystal says, holding up five fingers. My mom and I exchange a knowing look: most of the kids around here are behind academically.
    “She just had a birthday.” Shawntrese takes Chrystal by the hand and leads her toward the dining room.
    “Shawntrese, can you grab a couple of those telephone books and put them in the chair for her?” I ask, pointing to the large books under the dining room table. At Netta’s shop we have several sets bound with duct tape for occasional use. If I’m going to have small clients I guess I’ll have to do the same thing.
    “Well, I’ve got to hit the road. Karl’s meeting me in Beverly Hills for our dance lessons.” They’ve been taking various dance classes in preparation for their wedding in a few months. I think my mom’s leaning toward salsa.
    “ Jayd, do I have to remind you that this isn’t a full-service hair salon? ” my mom yells into my mind. “If you’re going to be doing kids hair you’ll have to start going to your clients’ houses, girl. I’m not having a bunch of bay-bays running all up in my space.”
    “ I know, mom. I’ll figure it out ,” I say, attempting to focus on the child’s head in front of me. Just like her daddy, she’s got a head full to manage.
    “ Okay, Jayd. Remember, if that little crumb snatcher breaks a damned thing in my