The Skin I'm In

7

Pamela and I start walking to the hair salon. It was back to work for me which made me feel a little sad that I didn't get too see Dave as much as before.

We entered the salon and everyone greeted us. "Ruby, finally your here, I missed you girl. A client over there is waiting for you." Gina said. Gina was the owner of the store and my boss.

"Okay thanks, Gina," I said and went to my client, Lisa who was waiting for me in the chair. "Hey, Lisa how you doing?" I asked.

"I'm doing good. I was wondering if you could perm my hair?" She asked.

"Yea anything you want girl" I replied.

I put a long fabric around her neck so I didn't mess up her clothes while doing her hair. I went to the shelf beside me to see if there were any more perm boxes but I didn't see none. "Pam, you know where the perm boxes are?" I asked.

"Yea, I got you." She went to the closet and threw the box at me and thank goodness I caught it.

I began the perm process on her hair.

Later some girls started gossiping which lead to a conversation about men. "My man treats me with respect." one girl said.

"see I need a man like that. Last week I saw him cheating on me with some ugly fat ass skank." another girl said, I think her name was Mary.

"well why don't you dump him then" Pam stated.

"Because I love him." Mary replied while smiling to herself.

"girl you don't know nothing bout love" Gina laughed.

"What is love?" Lisa asked.

"Love is a strong feeling that goes deeper than affection and attraction. Both of y'all are suppose to respect, trust, be honest, have intimacy, chemistry, and partnership for each other. if you don't got that then something ain't right." Gina said. Gina was married so it makes sense how she knew so much about love.

"And don't forget a sexual attraction, girl mhm" Debra said, she works in the Salon just like Pam and I.

"Ouu Yes!" Karen smiled. "When my man do me in bed that's when I know he loves me."

Everyone started laughing and saying  "mhm"

"When he touches me I get these tingly feelings around me" Karen continued. "Ouu child it's like he's hypnotizing me."

All this conversation about men just made me think about Dave and how he makes me feel.

***********

Hours past and my shift was over I looked at the clock and It was 6'olock.  It wasn't dark outside but there was a small sun slowing going down. "Bye everyone" I waved to everyone in the salon. Everyone said bye to me. I put on my sweater and left. I took the bus home and started walking to my house.

I rang the doorbell. My Momma answered the door. "hi Momma" I greeted.

"Hey baby" We hugged each other. I entered in the house.

"I left some food on the table. I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

"Okay. thank you!" I said.

She headed to the bathroom while I ate my rice and chicken. Thomas started walking in the kitchen jumping up and down. "I'm still going to that baseball game right?" Thomas asked with excitement.

"Oh Tomorrow?, I'm not sure" I replied. Thomas gave me a small frown.

"I'm sure you are, Thomas" I said, trying to cheer him up.

I realized that Momma always picks up Thomas from school while I'm at work so I need to tell her she doesn't need to tomorrow.

I got up and knocked on the bathroom door. "Momma?"

"Yes?" she answered.

"Tomorrow Thomas and I are going to hang out after school so you don't need to pick him up tomorrow."I lied, sort of. I felt guilty for lying especially when we just went to church yesterday but I don't think it could do that much harm.

"Okay. Be safe." She said.

"We will" I replied. The phone began to ring.

Thomas answered the phone. "She's in her room, I think," he said.

I went back to the kitchen to see who Thomas was on the phone wit.

"Thomas, who's that?" I asked

"Dave. here" He handed me the phone.

"Hi" I said with a smile on my face.

"Hi," he said with a sexy tone. I can just imagine him smirking right now. I noticed Thomas was still in the kitchen so I shooed him out. He started giggling and headed to our room.

"I've been thinking about you," he said.

My smile became wider. "I've been thinking bout you too"

"I just needed to hear your voice. Are you free on Wednesday?"

"Um I'm free after 6 pm but I can resch-"

"No, that's perfect I'll pick you up at 7. Where something dressy" whatever he has planned I'm a little excited for it.

"Okay. You're still bringing Thomas to that game right?" I asked.

"Yea of course"

"Okay good cuz he's really excited." After I said that he gave a small chuckle.

"What time do I have to pick him up from school?"

"Around 4"

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow" he said

"Okay goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight"

I hanged up the phone. I got ready for bed so I can start a long day tomorrow.