Page 5 of Scribbled Excellence

Martin was Rashad’s father. They had a complicated relationship because he was an absentee father. Not because he was a deadbeat, but because he engulfed himself in his business. He thought that as long as he financially supported Rashad that was all he needed. Rashad’s mother flew the coop when he was around four, from what I was told. He lived with our grandparents for a while, then moved with my parents when he became a teenager.

I started to say something back, but my thoughts were cut off by a flirtatious voice. “Hey, Rashad. It’s nice to meet you.”

My cousin was a ho whisperer. He was like a damn hound dog. He could sniff out the most secluded whore. I was sure that the scent was strong here.

Rashad gawked at the girl who had her eyes on him. “What’s up? It’s nice to meet you too.”

I laughed inwardly at his pained attempt to be user friendly. The words were nice, but his facial expression lacked all friendliness. This was him, though. Rashad Goings, a superior pitcher for the Augusta Chargers that fans referred to as “Flash.”

Ole girl’s cheek rose. “Do you want to see my tattoo? It’s really cool.”

The bridge of his nose scrunched tightly. That let me know that Kara told him about the placement of the tattoo. Based on me in my room, he knew it had to be on a private area of the body. “Ma, you could save time and just ask me to fuck instead of inviting me to look at your hot pussy. Nah, you’re good, though.”

She sucked her teeth. “You and your cousin are on some fuck shit. I never said I wanted to fuck either of you. It sounds like y’all want to fuck me.”

Rashad chortled. I continued to work on her tat that I was almost finished with. “Ma, so what you’re telling me is that if you had the chance to fuck one or both of us that you wouldn’t?” he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, I’m not saying that I wouldn’t, but I’m not saying that I would. Shit, it seems like y’all would take?—”

“Let me stop you right there, homegirl.” I interrupted her. My hand pointed up to the corners of the room. “See those cameras? Those are for my protection and yours. Ain’t shit about to pop off in here but a tattoo.”

Her eyes scanned the corners. Her forehead was creased. “I don’t remember saying that I agreed to be on camera.”

Thankfully, I just finished the last line on her tattoo. “When you signed all your paperwork three days ago and when you got here, you agreed. Whether you read it or not is not my concern. You should always read what you put your signature on. I’m all done.”

Rashad sat silently as I cleaned her up and explained her aftercare. He followed me and ole girl out of the room when I walked her to pay her balance. As soon as the payment cleared, I tapped the counter. “Kara, please add her to the do not service list.”

“Wait, what? Why are you adding me to the do not service list?” Her facial expression was filled with confusion. I wasn’t sure why.

I leaned against the counter. “First, as the business owner and tattoo artist, I can deny service to anyone for any reason. For you, specifically, your sexual comments made me feel extremely uncomfortable and borderline harassed. For that reason, I rather not service you again, but hey. You got a dope ass tat.”

Kara’s horribly covered laughter caught ole girl’s attention. Her eyes slit before her head snapped back in my direction. “Fuck you. No one wants you or your fuck ass cousin.”

I nodded, looked at the door, and extended my hand toward the door. “Thank you for letting us know. You can leave.”

I didn’t give a fuck about anything that she had to say. None of the shit mattered. There was nothing more that either of us needed to say.

When she looked back at Rashad, he shrugged his shoulders. “You should move your feet. You’re holding up our conversation.”

Her final sentiment to us was her middle finger before she stomped out of the door. No sooner than after she left, Karaleaned forward on the counter. “What did she say? It had to be bad if you banned her. I don’t remember you ever doing that.”

Kara got that nosy shit honestly from her mother, my auntie Rachel. I had two aunties, Rachel and Danielle, as well as one uncle, Martin. My mother was an only child, so all my cousins came from my father, Xavier’s, side.

Rashad snickered, then said, “Let’s just say she’s the type that would put a fraudulent case on a nigga. No one has time for that shit. I commend you always protecting yourself.”

“Shit, I learned from the best. Now, what’s up with you?” I asked him. His ass didn’t just pop up unannounced.

Rashad’s head bucked back as Kara laughed. “Damn, I just can’t come check you out? That’s fucked up.”

I stood there and stared at him for a beat before I spoke. “Are you going to Auntie Danielle’s mural unveiling? It should be dope.”

“You know I’m there. Auntie’s work is dope. Plus, I love me an artist ho. That’s where they’re all gonna be.” Rashad was serious, which made the statement funny.

Kara smacked his arm. “I can’t wait until you meet that woman that’s gonna have you in a chokehold. She’s gonna give you hell, and your ass is going to be willing to walk through all the flames.”

“Why in the fuck would you put that shit on me? I promise sometimes I think you don’t love me, Kara.” The feigned dramatics in his voice was comical.

Kara reached her hand out and grabbed his. “I put it on you because I do love you. Your ass is out here looking lonely since your best friend is married with a child now. You need the same damn thing.”