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

house it’s coming out of your pay ,” my mom says, walking down the stairs.
    “ I love you, too .” I wish I had an off button for my mom’s mental intrusions. I know she means well most of the time, but damn. Can a sistah catch a break?
    “Come on, Chrystal. Let’s get your hair washed,” I say, moving the chair and the little girl to the kitchen sink.
    “Jayd, your phone’s vibrating.” Shawntrese props the phone in between my right ear and shoulder. It’s Mickey. I hope she knows I’m not going anywhere tonight.
    “What up, sun?” I ask, running the hot water into an old pot to pour over this child’s hair.
    “Not much,” Mickey says. “What are you doing?”
    “Braiding. You?”
    “I’m watching Kendra ,” Mickey says, popping her gum. She’s found a new role model in the reality TV mom. “And then Ice Loves Coco is coming on.”
    “Mickey, I have to go,” I say, securing the white towel around Chrystal’s neck before I rinse her hair. “I just started a new head.”
    “Okay. Call me when you’re done. Nellie wants to go to some party in Redondo Beach and my mom said she’ll watch the baby.” I think my girl is bored and I know Rah’s just about lost his patience with his latest houseguest.
    “Mickey, have you talked to Nigel?” I ask, knowing he’s not in the mood to chat with Mickey.
    I hope she admits her wrongdoings and fixes this shit before it gets completely out of hand. I already turned back the hands of time when her ex-man shot Nigel, but I can’t do the same thing again—or at least I don’t think I can nor would I want to. That was a specific circumstance to get Nickey here safely. This new drama is on some other shit that I want no part of.
    “Nah, I ain’t talked to that fool,” Mickey says, disappointed. “He’s still tripping and I could really care less at this point.”
    Who can blame Nigel for tripping hard? He sacrificed everything for our girl and her daughter. She’s completely in the wrong for this shit right here, but Nigel does love her and I’d hate to see them call it quits when they have so much responsibility to each other and the baby. Granted, Nickey Shantae is not Nigel’s daughter—technically—but he did sign the birth certificate and gave her his last name, officially making him the daddy in the court’s eyes.
    “Well, I’m going over Chase’s house tomorrow if you want to come,” I say, rinsing out the mango shampoo, ready to put the coconut conditioner on Chrystal’s hair. The child’s almost asleep she’s so relaxed. “I’m sure he wants to see the baby.”
    “What about me? He needs to bring his ass over here and check for his girl before it’s too late. This shit is all wrong if you ask me.”
    Is Mickey serious? She’s the one who committed the major violation, not Nigel and she’s still acting like the Queen Bee. My God, this girl is a trip and then some.
    “Jayd,” Nellie says, taking over the call. “Can you come out tonight, please? ASB is having their first party of the year at The Cheesecake Factory . You know it’s going to be fierce. Did I mention they’re considering me for the cheer squad?”
    “Nellie, if you recall the reason there’s a spot available on the damned squad is because they kicked me off,” I say, reminding my girl of the truth as it is, not how she wants to see it.
    “Jayd, that’s all water under the bridge now,” Nellie says, overly excited about being back in the good graces of the crew she so desperately wants to be a part of. “And besides, it’s free food. Come on, girl. I know it’s your favorite restaurant.”
    She’s right about that but duty calls. Chrystal’s hair is going to take me all night. “Maybe next time, Nellie. I’ve got my hands full over here.”
    “Whatever, Jayd.” Nellie passes the cell back to Mickey who sounds equally exasperated.
    “Jayd, you need to have a little fun. All you do is work and study. It’s our senior year and you’re missing