The Roof is on Fire by Brenda Hampton Page A

want to see you with a baldhead or with straight hair.”
    His eyes widened. “My suggestion would be that you come up with another idea. My hair does not straighten and a baldhead doesn’t work for me.”
    â€œExcuse me, mister, but you said that I could do anything. You also been around here braggin’ about how you’re a man of your word and what you say, you mean. Are you backtrackin’ now?”
    â€œI’m not backtracking at all. You just need to come up with other suggestions.”
    â€œYou seriously got a problem with lettin’ people have their way, don’t you? I tell you what, though. If you let me straighten your hair, I’ll shave my puddy hairs and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for you, for the next three days.”
    â€œNo deal. For starters, your cooking ain’t all that to me, and your puddy hairs should already be shaved. But if you let Chase wax your hairs and allow her to suck you in front of me, then we may have a deal.”
    I couldn’t help but to frown as him and Roc high-fived each other. “Ugh, that’s nasty. I don’t get down like that, but you can watch Roc suck it. Somethin’ tells me he’ll do a much better job than Chase.”
    â€œYou got that shit right,” Roc said. “And I’ll shave it for you, too.”
    I smiled from the thought of him going down on me. How nice of him to offer. This was getting interesting. I took a seat on the coffee table; it had the nerve to squeak. Jaylin had to go there.
    â€œYou need to back off those tables,” he said. “I don’t want a repeat of the other night, so please sit on the couch.”
    I threw my hand back at him and remained on the table. “Forget you. I’m stayin’ right here, so listen up. I’mma go in the closet and get this perm I got from Big Lots. I’m gon’ straighten your hair and knock out some of those curls. Then, you gon’ shave me and we both gon’ have the pleasure of watchin’ Roc perform oral sex on me. How about that?”
    Roc looked at Jaylin, but he seemed more interested in his curls. “Why are you so eager to mess with my curls? My hair is natural, baby. You will never get my hair to go straight. In addition to that, what in the hell is Big Lots? Never heard of that before.”
    â€œThat’s because you’ve been sheltered for too long. People who have maids don’t know nothin’ about Big Lots. The perm I got will straighten your hair. I do love your hair, but I think it may look so much better slicked back with some gel on it. You know, some of that gangsta shit, baby. Especially since you’re a pimp anyway. It’s time that you represent.”
    â€œI’m already representing myself in a major way and no adjustments will be needed,” Jaylin said. “But, since I am a man of my word, do whatever. Again, my hair will not go straight. You’re going to be disappointed, but you still gotta live up to your end of the bargain. I’d rather see Chase do you, and I won’t be satisfied until it’s done.”
    Roc added his two cents. “I’m kind of leanin’ that way as well, but I’m more eager to see you put a perm in this nigga’s hair. Somethin’ tells me that he ain’t got no idea what a relaxer will do.”
    I stood and reached for Jaylin’s soft hair to rub it. “Well, we’re about to see. Are we not?”
    He snatched his head back and cut his eyes. “Only one side, Jada. Sample that shit before you put it all over my head, and let me see if it has any effects.”
    I rushed out of the living room and yelled into the kitchen at Chase. “Hurry up with that food, girl! How much longer we got?”
    â€œAt least another thirty minutes,” she said, huffing and looking like a confused bitch who needed to exit the kitchen fast. “I know you’re not about to do what I