me & tomfoolery

A Part of Your World | Cade Cunningham Short Story

The last Saturday appointment of the afternoon had barely settled under the dryer when Emani Bennett reached for her phone and frowned.

Three missed calls.

All from Raychell Johnson. That alone meant something unusual. Ray never called three times,unless somebody was panicking. Emani tucked a comb into her apron pocket and answered while sectioning another client's hair.

"Why are you calling like somebody set a house on fire?"

Raychell didn't bother greeting her, "Before you say no, hair needs you."

Emani sighed immediately, "No."

"You didn't even hear me out."
"Saturday means no emergency appointments."

She was strict about her schedule. Coming up in the world of beauty, people had a choice of how they conducted themselves and Emani was a stickler for honoring her boundaries, even if clients didn't.

"The stylist canceled."
"That sounds like, not my problem."

"My niece has dance school photos in two hours."

That paused her hand, "How old?"

"Six."

She looked toward the clock. "Styles already started?"

"No. That's why I'm begging."
"And has one of those children's salons been called?"

"Yes but she cried when somebody suggested anybody except someone Ms. Mani knows."

Emani blinked, "Ms. Mani?"

"Yes, because apparently I talk about you too much."

That almost softened her. Almost.

Before she could answer, the bell above the salon door rang. The motor city air swept in first. Then a tall figure ducked slightly through the doorway. Heavy coat dusted with leftover snow, a black hoodie, and a black beanie covering his brows but, who could look past those eyes. Beside him, holding his hand with glitter sneakers and a pink puffer coat zipped to her chin, stood a little girl with two loose ponytails that had clearly survived a rough morning.

Every head in the salon lifted. Detroit knew Cade Cunningham instantly, even dressed down. But Emani's attention landed on the child first—wide brown eyes, uncertain expression, and a dance garment bag hanging from her tiny shoulder. Cade looked directly at Emani.

"I'm guessing you're Emani."

His voice was calmer than expected. Tired, but warm. She folded her arms.

"I'm guessing you're late."

That caught him off guard just enough for the room to quietly laugh. His daughter peeked from behind his leg.

"We got lost," she offered softly. Emani's face changed immediately.

"You did?"

Cade looked down at her. "We did not get lost."
"We went around the block two times."

Now even he smiled, "Okay. We got a little lost."

Ray's voice still echoed through the phone speaker.

"That means yes, right?"

Emani hung up without answering. The little girl studied her carefully.

"My daddy said you do princess braids."

Emani crouched down to her level, "Your daddy says a lot of things?"

The child nodded seriously, "Mostly basketball and vegetables."