Free Holidaze by L. Divine Page A

anxious to repeat the whipping he served KJ on the basketball court a couple of months ago, but now is not the time, and my grandfather’s church is definitely not the place.
    Once we make a successful escape from the crowded parking lot, we relax in Rah’s car and exhale the edgy experience. Misty knows how to rattle my tail feathers and so does Mickey.
    “I love that you’re you, no matter what,” Rah says, turning out of the parking lot and onto Alondra Boulevard. We see Bryan walking down the street to work. Miracle Market is on the next block, which is on the way to Mama’s house. If we’d known we were leaving the service early, he could’ve gotten a ride.
    “Do you really?” I ask as Rah stops at the sign. It’ll only take us a minute to get back to the house. We could’ve walked, like my uncle, if I were feeling up to it. But I’ve done enough walking the past few nights to win the LA Marathon in my sleep—literally.
    “Yeah, I do. Look at how you went up to the pulpit and did your thang, girl. You’re going to be a bad-ass priestess one day, no joke.” I look at the smile in his eyes and know he’s telling the truth about that. “It also get on my nerves sometimes, no joke,” he says.
    “The feeling’s mutual.” I can see why my mom was so shocked to find out Rah and I haven’t had sex yet. The way he treats me when we’re together has “serious relationship” written all over it, but I’m not going there yet.
    “Huh,” he says, turning up the music’s already thick bassline. “Then I guess this is our song.” We listen to The Roots and Erykah Badu sing about the woes of being in a relationship, and Rah and I can relate fully to the lyrics. “You know you got me, right? No matter if we get angry and don’t talk for a week or whatever, I’ll always come back to center if I know you’re standing in the middle with me.” Rah claims my left hand in his right and raises it to his lips, softly kissing each of my knuckles. Damn, his lips feel good.
    “I wish it were that easy,” I say as we pull up to Mama’s house. My eyesight is now fully back after the good cry we all had at the service, so I should be able to drive to Inglewood on my own. But Rah’s going to follow me to my mom’s apartment anyway, just in case. I already put my backpack and weekend bag in the car, and I know Mama’s at Netta’s shop working in the back, which is where I would normally be on a Friday evening. But until I get Esmeralda’s curse off my back or get some solid sleep, I’m not allowed to touch anyone’s head or the hair products. This curse is costing me both sleep and money, and I need both to keep it moving in my world.
    “It can be as long as we agree to have faith in us. I love you, girl, even if I did blame you at first for Sandy taking off with my baby. I know it’s not your fault and I’m sorry I reacted so strongly.” I admit I feel a little responsible for giving her the keys, but Rah chose to be with Sandy in the first place, and her crazy behavior is a consequence of that choice.
    “I know, Rah. I know. I just wish we could have a normal relationship, where you bring me candy and flowers and take me out on a date.” He puts the car in park and reaches into the glove compartment, pulling out a box of Tic Tacs and a deodorizing tree for his car.
    “Would you settle for some mints and an air freshener?” he asks, passing the items to me. I can’t help but smile at Rah’s silly self.
    “I guess it’ll have to do for now,” I say, surrendering to the moment.
    When I get to my mom’s, she is supposed to help me make a tea to help me rest, and I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep. My body is starting to feel the effects of sleepwalking and I can’t think about anything else right now. Rah looks like he hasn’t slept a peaceful night since Rahima disappeared either. I know he’s feeling me right now.
    “I’ll always be here for you, queen.” Rah does go above