Tameka's Smile by Zena Wynn

them in, but I don’t have the patience or experience to do fusions. I also do quick weaves.”
    “What about updos? You do those,” the lone customer in the shop asked.
    Tameka laughed at the excitement in the woman’s voice.
    “Yes. Show me a picture of any style you want and I can do a pretty good rendition of it.”
    “Oh, man,” Mona said reverently. “Wait until word gets out.
    This place is going to be packed. I may need to work more hours.”
    “As long as you don’t start missing school. That’s more important.”
    “I know, Ms. Lulu. I’m not going miss now, not when I’m so close to graduation.” She rolled her eyes at Tameka, who bit back the smile trying to break free at her antics.
    “What are you studying?”
    “I want to be a Nail Artist. You know, one of those people who do all of those fancy designs on women’s nails?”
    “Yes, I know what you’re talking about. If you can stand the fumes, you can make some really good money as a Nail Tech.”
    “I plan to be the best. One day, I’ll work for the stars.” Mona’s voice was dreamy and her eyes had a faraway look in them.
    “If that’s what you want, go for it,” Tameka encouraged.
    “Lulu, I brought some hair style magazines, posters, and a few of my personal photo albums that show the work I’ve done. Is it alright if I lay them out in the waiting area?”
    “Sure thing, honey. Tape those posters right up in the window. Maybe they’ll attract some customers our way. Do you have any business cards?”
    “I made some new ones last night. I brought a few with me.”
    “Give them to Mona. You’re going to be a big hit. Folks will be coming over from bigger towns just to have you do their hair.”
    Tameka doubted it, but it was a nice thought. It’s not that she wasn’t good. She’d participated in a few shows in D.C., even won some awards for her styles, but she didn’t know how well 42

    ZENA WYNN
    the stuff she excelled at would go over here in the South. She kept her doubts to herself.
    “Lulu, someone mentioned that the men in here have to go over to Colbyville to get their hair cut. I’m a pretty decent barber.” Actually, there wasn’t much she couldn’t do when it came to hair.
    “That’s great. We sure do need one since old Bert retired. I don’t know how you’re going to handle both, though,” Betty said. She’d just returned from the bowl, washing her client’s hair.
    “Easy,” Lulu answered. “We pick a day or two, depending on the volume, where Meka does nothing but barber. Or maybe a few hours each morning and the rest of the day is devoted to styling.”
    “Works for me, Lulu. Whatever you say,” Tameka agreed.
    Tameka climbed on top of a chair and, with Mona’s help, hung four of her posters in the large picture window, being sure to space them out attractively but still allow passersby to see inside. What she had weren’t the typical salon posters advertising products, but blown-up pictures of models sporting hairstyles she’d created.
    Lulu came over to watch. “There’s a ‘Barber on Duty’ sign around here somewhere,” she muttered, looking around distractedly.
    “I also have a sign announcing the types of styles I do—
    braids, twists, ‘locs, as well as extensions and updos. It’s in the car.”
    “Go get it and put it right here in the window. Anything that attracts more business to the shop is welcome. Make up flyers and we’ll distribute them to the businesses in town.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Tameka smiled. Lulu reminded her strongly of Grandma Emma.
    She stretched, taping the last poster in place. Then she, Lulu, and Mona walked outside to admire her handiwork.
    “Looks good,” Mona commented. “I’m so glad you’re here.
    It’s time we had some new blood to shake things up in this town.”
    Tameka shook her head. “I don’t know about shaking things up, but I’ll do my best to increase the clientele.” 43

    TAMEKA’S SMILE
    Mona laughed. “Oh, once word