Free Jayd's Legacy by L. Divine Page A

wack-ass Family Christian. I’m glad my mom let me transfer out, not that she had much of a choice,” he says. “After my grandmother passed, there was no one to pay my tuition. And, my little brother needed me closer to his school anyway.”
    â€œHow’s your dad?” I ask, knowing he and his father are very close, even though he’s on lock down in Georgia for life. I assume that’s the real reason he’s visiting Atlanta.
    â€œHe’s cool, holding the Muslims down in there. You know how he does it.”
    â€œBut, back to the subject at hand,” Nigel says, passing an immaculately rolled blunt to Raheem who promptly lights it. Smoke soon layers the air. “Did you know Jayd dips in vanilla?”
    â€œNigel,” I say, slightly offended. Why did this fool have to go and say something stupid shit like that?
    â€œWhat the hell does that mean?” Raheem says, passing the blunt to me. I shake my head a quick “no” and he passes it to Nigel, who’s just smiling and waiting for the argument. He always did love to start shit between me and Raheem, which isn’t hard. Raheem thought he owned me and I am always quick to let anyone know I’m my own woman.
    â€œHe’s referring to my new man, Jeremy,” I say, stealing some of Nigel’s thunder. “He’s Jewish,” I add, taking a sip of my water while Raheem processes what I’ve just told him. When he lived with his dad in Compton, we used to have long, philosophical conversations about White folks, especially interracial dating. Raheem swore he would never date a White girl. And I never even thought about dating a White boy, until I met Jeremy.
    â€œReally?” Raheem says. “A White, Jewish boy?” he asks, surprised. He takes another sip of his drink while Nigel passes the blunt my way to give to Raheem. I rise slightly from my seat and pass it to him, unofficially becoming part of the rotation.
    â€œDo you know another kind of Jewish boy?” Nigel says, sounding faded. Why did he have to bring this up now? I was really looking forward to just vibing and being in the studio. I get off on the process of making beats. It’s so incredible, the way they mix sounds to make an entire song. And, I love the way Nigel rhymes. I know I’m going to see them at the Grammys one day.
    â€œWell, Sammy Davis, Jr., was Jewish,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
    â€œYeah, but you ain’t dating him. You’re dating a rich White guy named Jeremy. And, he ain’t related to no tap dancer,” Nigel says. Damn, he’s on it tonight.
    â€œIs he treating you well?” Raheem asks, eyeing the gold bangle hanging from my wrist.
    â€œVery,” I answer, self-consciously turning the bangle to its upside, revealing the engraved J on its face.
    â€œWell, that’s all that matters, right, Jayd?” Raheem says, sounding sad yet sincere. “Let’s get started, man. All cell phones off during session. It’s getting late and I know you still have a curfew, don’t you?” he says looking from Nigel to me before putting the blunt out and putting his headphones on.
    â€œThat’s all you have to say?” Nigel says, surprised by Raheem’s response. “I expected a showdown like old times. I’m very disappointed in you man,” he says, rising from his spot and stepping into the booth.
    â€œI got your letter. And, you can’t be the same Rah,” I say, also shocked by his chill attitude. Raheem looks at me like a wounded puppy before setting up the first track for Nigel to work on. I don’t know what to make of Raheem’s response. Is he disappointed in me, or in himself for letting me go in the first place? Whatever the case, I’m sure this is only the beginning of a new phase in our relationship.
    â€œI hope you’re happy Jayd,” he says. “You just make sure he treats you like the