Free Keep It Movin' by L. Divine Page A

let’s pray and get this dinner going. And hey, I can start drinking early this year because Jayd can drive herself home from now on,” he says, making everyone in the room laugh. He’s right; I’ve got keys and wheels. The only person stopping me is me, and that ends right now. Maybe it won’t be so bad once I fix it up a little bit. Well, at least I have something to roll in and for that I am grateful.
    â€œYou alright, baby?” Faye passes me a stacked plate and a fork. She knows me so well. “You don’t look like a teenager who just got her first car for Christmas.” She’s right. I’m far from happy right now. I’m so pissed I can’t even eat and that’s saying something.
    â€œYeah, just tired. I got in late last night and got up early this morning to do my mom’s hair.” I play with the delicious-looking food on my plate, trying to hold back my tears. I need to go somewhere where I can cry my eyes out.
    â€œYeah, your daddy told me about your new career. Do you really want to do hair for the rest of your life?” I know she doesn’t see the pride in my chosen profession for the time being, because she believes academics are the answer to everything, but this time I can’t agree.
    â€œI’m only sixteen and I like doing hair.” Now my appetite’s completely gone. I can’t help but feel attacked on a personal level whenever someone demeans our profession. Doing hair is in my blood and it’s a gift, not a curse like she’s making it out to be. Faye’s always hated on any job that doesn’t require a college degree. My daddy doesn’t have a degree, but she’s working on that, too.
    â€œI know that, but Jayd, you could be tutoring or working at a library or something other than just doing hair. You have a sharp head and you should use that to get you through.” That’s the one thing about Faye I don’t get. She’s so smart in one way but clueless when it comes to our cultural heritage, and I think my dad loves her for that the most. Rah texts me right before I’m able to comment back to Faye and it’s perfect timing. I don’t want to take out my anger on her.
    â€œI’ll think about that,” I say, placing my plate on the counter while everyone else files into the kitchen, ready to get their grub on. I think if I skip out now it won’t be so bad.

    What’s up with you? I’m about to take Rahima back to my house. Need a ride? Holla back at your boy.

    â€œYes Jayd, I think you should seriously consider it. There are plenty of part-time jobs at the college I work at. You should drop by one day and let me introduce you to some of my coworkers.” Ignoring my stepmother completely, I reply back to Rah in record time. I need to get out of here before I say something I truly regret and I’m not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings today.

    Yes, please come follow me back to my mom’s first and then we can kick it. My dad bought me a car and I doubt it’ll make it back to Inglewood. See y’all soon.

    â€œOkay, we’ll make it a date,” I say, searching the drawers for aluminum foil. Faye is the queen of Costco and keeps the house stocked with anything needed in the kitchen and bathroom.
    â€œWhere are you rushing off to?” my daddy asks as Faye hands him his plate and a drink. “I knew I should’ve waited until after dinner to give you the car.” He’s right. Maybe I’d still have an appetite. Now I’ll have to wait until I vent to eat my dinner. Faye piles a plate full of cake and pie for me to take with me along with a bag full of her famous chocolate-chip cookies. If I could perfect this recipe and her sweet potato pie, I’d be a happy black girl.
    â€œRah’s going to check my car out for me and I need to get back. I have an early workday tomorrow,” I say, half telling the truth.