Chapter 15 #2
Pulling myself together, I finished my coffee and prepared to start my day.
I was having lunch with Salima and her mother, but before that, I had a nail and pedicure appointment.
Grabbing my purse, keys, and phone, I left the house and headed into town.
I got to the salon about ten minutes after it opened.
When I walked in, it was scarcely populated.
“Ms. Stephanie!” My nail tech and the owner, Komiko greeted me with a smile. “Hey, girl. You looking mighty fine today.”
I blushed. “Thanks, Miko.”
“You must have a hot date after this.”
“No, no. Nothing like that. Just brunch with my girlfriends.”
“Well come on back and let me get you right.”
She led me back to her private suite and got me situated in the pedicure chair.
Her assistant brought me my usual peach mimosa and a blueberry muffin.
I’d been coming to her since she was sixteen and doing nails in a shed in her parents’ backyard.
Four years ago, she opened a storefront for Claws Out and I loved how upscale the vibe was.
Komiko and her team didn’t just offer a service.
They offered an experience. Not only that, Miko was funny as hell.
She reminded me of Shar on so many levels.
I eased my feet into the semi hot water with a relaxed sigh.
“Long morning?” Komiko asked.
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Don’t worry. These hands are about to work magic. You might feel like I’m your nigga the way I’m about to rub these feet.”
I laughed. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“Ain’t nothing you can do with me. So, tell me. What’s got you stressed?”
“A nigga.”
She laughed out loud. “See! They don’t be shit.”
“It’s my son.”
“Ooop! Don’t tell me you raised a fuck nigga, Ms. Stephanie.”
“I didn’t. He’s a good man. Married with two beautiful babies. He’s just very protective of my heart.”
“Awwww. That’s not so bad, is it?”
“It’s not. It’s just who he’s protective of it with.”
“Let me guess… his daddy?”
“How did you know?”
“A single woman as beautiful as you? It’s always the daddy. And your baby daddy a heart breaker.”
I giggled. “He’s definitely a looker. He’s a good man, just wasn’t’ right for me for a long time.”
“Ahhh. Big Daddy done evolved and you want that old thing back, huh?”
“More or less.”
“Can I speak candidly? You know I’m a little extra.”
I giggled. “Sure.”
“Sometimes we meet the right people at the wrong time. If you feel like it’s right this time around, I say go for it.
You’re a bad ass bitch, Ms. Steph. If I end up looking like you and my mama when I get your age, trust me, I’m still gonna be popping this thang, girl.
Your son will be okay. If he ain’t, better get used to it. Mama gotta have a life too.”
“You right.”
She snapped her fingers and went back to working on my feet. I busied myself with reading a book on my Kindle app. It was another hobby I picked up after Aaron passed away. Sometimes it paid to get lost in the pages of a good book. For me, it was an escape from reality.
Just as I was getting to the good stuff, a notification came through from my bank of a three-thousand-dollar deposit.
“What the hell?”
When I clicked on it, I saw that it was from Senior with a note attached.
“Daddy loves to see you taking care of yourself.”
I couldn’t help but blush as I read it.
“That damn man,” I mumbled.
Komiko smirked. “Big Daddy sent you some funds?”
“How did you know?”
She laughed. “Because a deposit is the only thing that makes me smile at my phone like that.”
I shook my head as I pressed the call button to call him. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Stanley, how did you know where I was?”
“I can always find you, Steph. Believe that.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t be rolling your eyes at me woman. I can’t see you, but I know your ass.”
“Oh whatever. I just called to say thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. I mean, I get the pleasure of seeing those pretty nails wrapped around my dick. I might as well pay for it.”
I was blushing hard as hell. This man had me feeling like a young girl again.
“Stop being fresh,” I warned him.
“Awww, you in public thinking about it? I know you visualize that shit too, baby. Pretty nails, pretty ass mouth—”
“Senior!’
He chuckled at my expense. “Okay, okay,” he conceded. “Let me stop. What are you doing when you leave there?”
“I have brunch with Salima and Karen. Maybe do a little shopping.”
“Let me send you some more money.”
“Stanley… baby, I don’t need your money.”
“Girl you never turn down the funds!” Komiko said, loudly, before instantly pursing her lips. “My bad, girl. I’m all in your business.”
In my ear, Senior laughed. “She’s right, though.”
As he said that, my phone chimed again. I pulled it away to see a notification that a seven-thousand-dollar deposit was made to my account.
“What am I gonna do with you?”
“I can think of a few things. Make sure you pick up something nice for our date.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“A’ight. Let me go. Mama needs me to run some errands with her. Can I see you later?”
“I’ll be home.”
“Okay. I love you.”
I smiled. “I love you too, Stanley.”
We disconnected the call and I tried to reel in the smile on my face. Komiko shook her head.
“You still got the juice girl. Nail and shopping money? Knowing who I know is your baby daddy, I know he cashed out. I ain’t mad at you. Teach me your ways… you know, without me having to pop out a baby. I’m not trying to be stuck with a nigga and his kid.”
I laughed. “Komiko please!”
“I’m just saying. I’d be on the unfortunate one to end up with a broke man and a bad ass kid that acts like him and his bald headed ass mammy. No thank you. Now if I find a good man, I’m never coming up off him. Ever.”
“I hear you on that.”
“Anyway! What color are you going with today?”
I thought for a moment, considering what Senior had said about my nails earlier.
“How about red?”
It was his favorite color.
She wiggled her eyebrows at me. “My granny said women who wear red nail polish are looking for a little trouble.”
“Exactly.”
She squealed with excitement. “In that case, red it is.”