𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

𝟚𝟜

𝕁𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕔𝕖

Back at work, the shop was much busier than September. October wasn't only a new season but a new ambience filled with chatter, voices and laughter. After my first appointment I sat in my cliental chair with my legs up and in my hand I held my pencil.

Poetry: My Need

My love, my need

Tonight, I feel so tight My love, my need

Tonight—

As I wrote my thoughts onto my paper, my word was cut off by the sound of Amira next to me. "Pst, your friend is coming" her whisper cut through the shops chatter.

My eyes shifted from Amira to the shop door, walking in was Kelly. This time she was alone without Felicia attached to her hip. Her smile was big and bougie gold plated. She flashed her smile at every woman on her way before stopping in front of me.

"Heyy girl, Ima need you to fix my head again"

"What's wrong with it?" I shut my book in my lap. "It hasn't been a full two weeks hun" I shrugged.

Her eyes widened. "Do you have an appointment at this time?"

"No" I replied sharply.

"I want something different, I get bored fast Justice. So you can do me, come on" she said patting my knee.

I was starting to stand her but I didn't like her that much to be touching me. Iesha knew how I felt about being touched by certain people. I could hear her chuckle to herself from across from me. She worked on her clients head while I did Kelly's.

She went on about her life's drama when I didn't ask. But I listened because I had no choice. After finishing for the day the unexpected happened. For the first time in a long time Heywood seemed to truly care. On my way out of the shop he tapped my shoulder. I looked back at him as if he wanted something.

"Hey" his smile was genuine. "How are you?"

Out of shock I looked at Iesha who stood behind him ready to leave too. She widened her eyes at me with a smirk. "I'm alright and you?"

"I'm good Justice, I'm going out with Johnny tonight and I wanted to say thank you for introducing us" he unexpectedly gave me a hug without warning.

"Aw that's so cute but I got a date my damn self. So ima need y'all to hurry up and leave my shop. So I can lock my damn doors" Jessie exhaled like an angry mother.

"Goodnight" Heywood sang friendly leaving out.

On our way home, Iesha and I walked side by side before going straight to bed. I got through the day using Iesha's makeup to coverup my hickey. While getting through my sleepless nights and terrors of revisiting the moments before— POP

Sometimes I'd wake up, with chills of sweat between my breast and down my neck. Gasping for air I'd jump awake, feeling the need to get from underneath the covers and wipe my sweat. When I'd wake up, it was harder to fall asleep without fearing I'd see the gun again after closing my eyes.

Seeing Chris made up for it, I packed my bag to spend my two off days with him. I arrived to his apartment rushing out of the taxi to see run into his open arms. Those arms felt warm and snug, I couldn't resist but to smile. "Somebodies in a good mood" he spoke from above my head.

Lifting my chin up I looked at him. "Maybe I am" I shrugged.

Without speaking a word, he brought his face to mine. Pressing our lips together I could feel his hands on the small of my back. "Good, cause I'm in a good mood too now that I'm seeing you"