Free Street Soldiers by L. Divine

it.”
    Mickey does have a point. I’m going to graduate in less than eight months and I have yet to have a wild high school experience. Not that a free dinner qualifies as wild, but I do need to have a little more fun. Too bad I can’t start this evening.
    “I’ll get on that as soon as I make this money,” I say, running the hot water for Chrystal’s final rinse. If I’m lucky she’ll sleep through the entire braiding process. “Holla.”
    I hang up my phone and place it on the kitchen counter. My girls are right: I need to enjoy my senior year of high school before it’s all said and done. And in order to do that, I’ve got to get my money right. Besides, I’m still dealing with Nigel’s mom suing me, and Esmeralda’s constant bull. I wish I could sit around and watch mindless television like my friends, but shit is real around here.
    *
    It’s been a busy Saturday and I’m glad for it. I managed to get through six heads before the day was done and still get to the shop to help out Netta and Mama. It’s evening time and I’m ready to chillax with my crew even if my girls will be missing. They opted to go to yet another ASB party instead of hang out at Chase’s house with me. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end of our crew as we know it. If it is, who gets custody of me? If I’m forced to choose between Mickey and Nigel—or Chase and Nellie—I don’t know what I’ll do.
    Mama and Netta have been busy preparing for the big neighborhood meeting at church tomorrow after Daddy’s sermon. They’ve visited G every day this week who’s completely resistant to any outside assistance. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Mickey in depth about her reentering a relationship with G, but I will as soon as I can. She’s lost her mind if she thinks dude can just forgive her for leaving him for Nigel.
    I also need to speak with Nigel about his Mama’s latest stunt. I know Mama’s distracted with Pam’s murder, but as soon as she’s back on it, Mrs. Esop’s going to be in for it and I don’t want to see her get hurt. Maybe if Nigel takes his stubborn ass home his mom will back off.
    “There’s my girl,” Nigel says, looking like a porcupine exploded on top of his head. “I’m ready for you, baby.” Nigel points to his wild hair and I can’t help but laugh at my boy.
    “Yeah you are,” I say, placing my hair bag down on Chase’s bedroom floor ready to work.
    Nigel’s made himself right at home with his shit everywhere. The house has five more empty bedrooms but he seems to be bunking right here on the couch.
    “I got next,” Chase says without taking his eyes away from his PS2 for a moment. I can tell they’ve been playing this war game all day long by the glazed look in both of their eyes.
    Nigel has football practice every day after school except on Fridays, which are game nights. The team also has meetings on Saturday mornings and Nigel spends the rest of the weekend chilling to make up for his dedication. Homecoming’s in a couple of weeks and I know recruiters will be out in full-effect in an attempt to woo Nigel away from UCLA, but we all know he’s made his decision. Hell, with P. Diddy’s son as one of his teammates next year I wouldn’t budge, either.
    “What’s new, girl?” Nigel says, making himself comfortable on the floor in front of me. Before I get into a comfortable braid position I need to let him in on our legal drama.
    “Your mama is suing my Mama; that’s what,” I say, tossing the legal papers into Nigel’s lap.
    “Say what?” Chase says, looking away from the screen as stunned as I was when Mrs. Esop served us at Netta’s shop a couple of weeks ago.
    “What are you talking about?” Nigel asks. He unfolds the long papers and glances at the words in bold print. “Plaintiff. Defendant. Are you serious?”
    “Hell yeah I’m serious,” I say, parting his hair with my fingers. I’ve got my work cut out for me this evening, but it’s cool. Nigel always