Page 53

The music was low, the shop smelled like acrylic and cuticle oil, and somebody in the front was laughing loud as hell about something on their phone. Normal shit and I needed normal.

“So…” Shante looked at me. “Are you going home after this?” I sucked my teeth. “I don’t know.” I picked up the polish again. “ I just need to figure some shit out first.”

“Like what?”

I shrugged. “Like what the hell I’m doing about Deuce.”

Shante looked at me. “You still don’t want to talk to him?”

“No.”

I shook my head. “I’m tired of feeling like that man playing in my face.” I started painting her nails. “I love him, but I’m tired.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

I looked at her. “That’s why I’m probably going to my mama’s house. I need to be around my baby and get my head together.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

I smiled. “See, that’s why I keep you around.”

She laughed. “Girl, please.”

I held her hand under the lamp. “Don’t move.”

“I ain’t.”

I looked at the finished nail. “Okayyy. That’s cute.”

Shante smiled. “You know you always do my nails cute.”

For a few minutes, neither one of us said anything and honestly, I liked it that way. I didn’t need another conversation about Deuce. I didn’t need anybody telling me what I should do. I just needed a little peace. I was putting the finishing touches on Shante’s nails when my phone started ringing. I looked at the screen and it was Grandma Lorraine.

I answered. “Hey, Grandma.”

“Where you at?” She asked.

“At the shop.”

“Good, I made baked spaghetti and fried fish.”

I stopped what I was doing and Shante looked up. “What did she say?”

I covered the phone. “She made baked spaghetti and fried fish.”

Shante’s eyes got big. “Tell her we are coming.”

I started laughing. “Grandma, we are on our way.”

“Don’t take all day.” She said before hanging up.

I looked at Shante. “You heard her.”

She was already licking her lips. “Girl, I’m ready.”

I laughed. “Let me finish your nails first.”

“Please do, because I’m not walking into Grandma’s house looking crazy.”