We both paused and doubled over with laughter. Her mother’s wigs were legendary in Macon. Nothing but respect for a woman who’d rocked a teeny weeny afro since 2012. When you’re as gorgeous as Breyonna and her mom, hair is optional.
“Yes, she’s pretty, but pretty women can be insecure too. She’s not, so I’m not. Plus, something happened with my dad when I was a few years older than Keylisa. Kinda changed everything.” Breyonna shrugged again.
I leaned forward. “Well… what happened?”
“We were at his house. His latest flavor of the month was trouncing around in some ugly half naked outfit he bought. I wanted him to take me to get some food from the diner.” Breyonna closed her eyes. She sighed, “We ended up having a tickle fight or something and my hair got messed up. This heffa said something about me needing a relaxer and my mom’s hair being wack.”
I covered my mouth with both of my hands. No one talked about Ebonee Abson in front of Breyonna. Unless they wanted to meet the same fate as Wiley Brant.
“Before I finished giggling my Dad had lifted me off the couch. I kicked a bit but didn’t put up a real fight. He put me down in the doorway to his bedroom. Next thing I knew, he’d thrown all her stuff in a bag. He took back his key then told her to get out.” Breyonna opened her eyes. “Didn’t give her the chance to apologize or nothing. He kissed me on the forehead, then we went to get the food.”
I wondered which of her Dad’s ex-girlfriends made that mistake. They seemed a bit more grounded and nice once Breyonna got to middle school. Never thought about why. Figured, he must’ve grown out of dating thots. “Wow.”
“Yeah, we had a long talk at the diner, while his cousin fixed my hair. I told him I wore my hair in longer looking styles when I stayed with him because all of his girlfriends wore long weave. He’s a good Dad but I don’t want to date someone like him. Living with my Mom I knew wearing natural hair doesn’t mean you can’t get a date. My mom has dated some of the finest men in Macon.”
I nodded. “And some hotties from south of Atlanta.”
“True.” Breyonna laughed. “They all knew she cut her hair off. She didn’t care, so they didn’t care. MomNisa went natural and never looked back. After talking to my dad that weekend, I decided I’d just do me. If a guy likes me cool. If not, they’re stupid. Who wants to date stupid guys?”
“Yeah, I don’t even know where my Dad is so he won’t be breaking any hearts on my account.” I felt my shoulders drop. “This is too heavy. So I am gonna talk about what the woke crew said about health issues tied to relaxers and stuff for my next takeover. I found some articles and library books to check out after practice yesterday.”
Breyonna crossed her legs at the ankle. She leaned forward. “So you mean to tell me you’re not gonna tell the world you’ve been crushing on ol’ boy all of these years.”
If I were chewing gum, I’d be choking on it, trying to respond. “You. Huh? What?”
“Please, JeShaun. I know you still like him. Even though you swore me to secrecy and we took the pinky pact to never utter his name again. In 8th grade after the incident.” Breyonna sat up again. The colors from her outfit contrast with the pale pink color of my walls.
I cleared my throat. My eyes closed as I pushed the memory back down where it belonged far away from my heart. “I don’t like him anymore. After what he said. But you may be right. I may have wanted to show off how long my hair is because all of his girlfriends have long straight hair.”
“Boring, long, straight hair.” Breyonna clicked her tongue. “And none of them play any sports or do anything to break a sweat. Booorrriiingggg.”
My foot pops out from under me as I fall over laughing at Breyonna.
“You know who else has a fine man with natural hair?” Breyonna wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
I shook my head as I sat back up on the bed. “Please, not again. So cringy, Bre.”
“Cringy my behind. Your Uncle Corey is FAYINE. Tell him you think boys will like you better with long relaxed hair and see what he says.” Breyonna gave her ‘hmm mm’ you know I’m right nod.
I shook my head again. “I’m not telling him I like boys who don’t like girls with natural hair. But I am going to talk to him about what boys like and if they even care about hair. Cause I’m curious. I don’t want to be the lame who goes to college without having her first date or anything romantic.”
“What about Bobby?” Breyonna pretended to be shocked. “He’d just die if he knew you’d forgotten your time being married to the king of Macon. Queen JeShaun. He kissed you on the elbow and the knee.”
I fell back over laughing again. Breyonna dodged the pillow I threw at her once I finished chuckling. No one knew about the week I reigned Macon, Georgia married to the only red head boy on our side of town. A freckled green eyed dimpled boy who loved him some JeShaun Wright more than peanut butter and creek frogs. “I still count Bobby. Thank you very much. I didn’t kiss him though… He kissed me.”
“In the weirdest spots. Ten-dollar bet he grows up to be very freaky, marries a black woman, and she’ll be very happy.” Breyonna stretched her pinky out for the bet. “You game.”
I crossed my arms. “You are nuts. No one talks to Bobby anymore.”
“We’re friends on IG. I think he found me a few months ago right after all the protests ended. He’s grown up. Still has those gorgeous dimples
