Page 6 of Whatever It Takes
“Bitch.” I mumbled, exiting the app. Cars had started to move, indicating the kids were coming out.
“Hi, Sissy!” Journey greeted as she climbed into the passenger seat, setting her backpack on the floor in between her legs.
“Hey girl! How was school?” I asked, pulling out of the parking lot, heading to the grocery store.
“It was good. I passed that biology test I’ve been studying for. Soooo.. I know you had a long week at work, and I know you need a break, so I’ll watch Sage for you tonight if you want to go out or something.”
I stopped at a red light and turned my head, squinting at her. “Girl, just ask me for whatever you want, you ain’t gotta butter me up.” I laughed, turning to face the road again.
“Can my friend Serenity spend the night, please? She’s a sweetheart. You know her family, too, Bless. Pleeeease?” She pleaded.
“Who’s her family?”
“Her brother is Saint, the football player you’re working with right now.”
“Fine Journey. Don’t leave a mess, no boys, and no sneaky shit. I’ll text her mom and let her know. You can watch Sage while I go to Chanel’s to get my hair done tonight.”
“Yay! Thank you so much, sissy. You’re the best. Messiah would’ve never let me have company.”
“Don’t make me regret it either, Journey.”
After going grocery shopping, stopping at the beauty supply store, and getting an oil change, I was finally home. Miss Jackie planned on dropping Serenity off within the next two hours. That gave me enough time to cook dinner and put together a few snacks for the girls. Sage was in her playpen, watching her favorite show, Little Einsteins. Journey requested lemon pepper wings and curly fries for dinner. For snacks, I decided to bake some cookies, pop some popcorn, and make a charcuterie board.
I was setting the food in serving dishes when I received a call alerting me that Miss Jackie and Serenity were at the gate. I let them through and met them at the front door. Serenity looked just like her big brother. She had a head full of wild, curly hair and the same deep brown eyes as her mom and brother. I greeted them before stepping aside to let them in.
“Hey, Blessing. Your home is beautiful!” Miss Jackie gushed, hugging me.
“Thank you, Miss Jackie. Hi Serenity!”
She smiled, showing her braces. “Hey! Thanks for letting me stay over. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
I laughed, taking her bag from her and setting it on the couch. “You’re welcome. I made dinner and some snacks for you two to enjoy while I’m at my hair appointment. Make yourself at home.”
“And who is this little, cute baby?” Miss Jackie asked, peeking at Sage in her playpen.
“Say hiiii, Sage,” I said, picking her up. She smiled shyly, waving her little chunky hand.
“Well, hello, Sage. Aren’t you a cutie pie?”
Miss Jackie stayed for a while and joined us for dinner before leaving. She’d be back to pick Serenity up on Sunday after leaving church. I bathed Sage and gave her a bottle before putting her to sleep. Most nights, she slept until the next morning.
“Alright, girls, I’m leaving. Journey, you know the rules. I’ll be back in a few hours. Sage has a bottle in the warmer if she wakes up before I get home. Clean up after yourselves and respect my house.”
“The baddest bitch has arrived!” I announced, entering Chanel’s house.
“Girl, please,” Chanel laughed, locking the door behind me.
She led me to her second bedroom. She’d transformed it into her in-home salon. Chanel was the only person I allowed to do my hair. We’ve been friends since elementary school, and she started doing my hair when we were teenagers. I’d had this sew-in in for almost a month, and I needed a touch-up. I sat in thesalon chair and pulled my phone out to show her how I wanted my hair styled.
“Okay, boo, I can do that. Barrel curls or beach waves?” She asked, grabbing her scissors, cutting the thread from the wefts of my weave.
“Barrel curls. Side part, please. Bitch guess what?”
“What?” She responded, placing the bundles of hair on the vanity.
“So, I was about to leave Moo’s house earlier, and I got in the car, and my damn battery died again. So I asked him if I could wait inside until roadside assistance came, and of course, he let me. Girl, why’d that man send me the money for a new battery and then some. Talking about, oh, you can have whatever you want, just ask for it. And you know me; I’m never turning down no bread.” I explained, shrugging.
“Oh, I know that’s right.” Chanel snickered. “Wait, the battery for your car is expensive as hell. That nigga might have a little crush on you. Wasn’t he in your likes the other day? If he didn’t have a girlfriend, I’d tell you to go for it, sis.”
