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    Tales From Sha-Hair-Azad

    By Najya Yasirah


    The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship? - Chapter 15




    Reyjah awoke with a pain in her knee. “Damn,” she said. “I sure don’t need to run today.  She ran her fingers through her hair. Antoine had done a great job of brushing it.  The phone by her bed rang. She hit the speaker button.  “Hello?” “Good morning, Bellissima.” “Hey Ant, what’s going on?”  “Oh, nothing, wanted to see if you wanted to hang out, tonight?”   “Yeah, I have nothing to do.” She got out of bed and began her stretching.  A friend of mine is throwing a party tonight in Beverly Hills, it’s a good opportunity to pass your cards around.” “Sure, but I have nothing to wear.” “I’ll handle that.” “Oh, yeah, Ant, I forgot to tell you; when I went to get that blue dress, the manager at Bellissima of Beverly Hills discounted it for me when she found out that I was going with you to Giovanni’s.”  He was silent. “Are you in the Mafia or something?” she said sarcastically. “No, it was probably a misunderstanding.”  “Well, heck I’m glad, I had enough to get those Jimmy Choo’s.”  “What time should I be ready?” “8:30, and I insist on picking you up, this time.” “This time..okay, Ant, you lead.”  “I’ll see you.” “Holla.”

    “Hello, this is Bellissima of Beverly Hills, Magdalene speaking, how may I help you?” “Hello, Magda, how are you?” “Antoine, I am doing great.” “Good, Magda, I need a favor. I am going to a party tonight with a lady friend, I believe you remember her, very beautiful, African American?” “Yes, I remember her, I had to fire Priscilla for being so prejudiced towards her.” “Very ethical of you, she will be needing a dress, something Asian looking.” “We have this beautiful, satin bronze  number.  It would show off her arms and legs perfectly.”  “Wonderful, charge it to my account and have it delivered to Sha-Hair-Azad  hair salon. I’ll discount it from my usual fee.” “Oh, Antoine you are such a kind soul, as well as the best lay I’ve had in years.” “Would you find her a pair of Jimmy Choo’s to match?”

    “Girl, why didn’t tell us you were in the newspaper?” said Derrick as Reyjah walked through the door.  She was wearing a black quarter-length sleeve v-neck jersey shirt that was cut just above her navel.  Her pants were leather and low-waisted with boot-cut legs. Incidentally, she wore blue and black leopard-print platform boots.  “Hello to you, too?” said Reyjah with a confused look on your face. “What the hell are you screaming about?” “Look, it’s a picture of you at Giovanni’s singing,” said Derrick. “Damn , you don’t even sing for us,” said Bridgett, an Iranian massage therapist.  “Oh..let me see that,” said Reyjah. Derrick gave her the newspaper.  “’Reyjah Bennett, an LA hairstylist, was the surprise attraction at Giovanni’s restaurant.  Not only did she dazzle the crowd with her powerful voice, but she also wore an elegant blue gown and an abundance of muscle tone.’” Reyjah laughed. “I’m gonna put this on my mirror, so I can laugh,” she said. Sheila peeped out from her station. “She motioned for Reyjah. “Hold on, babe?” she said. “Midori, did a girl named Kate call?”  “Yes, she’ll be here at 10:00.”  “Great! We got 30 minutes to B.S. around.” Said Reyjah. “Who wants coffee?”

    “You mean to tell me that gorgeous man was in your house and you didn’t try to seduce him?” said Derrick. The women busted out laughing. Sheila, Derrick ,Midori and Reyjah were in the lounge drinking coffee and killing time. “I’m still a virgin, man,” said Reyjah. “Yeah right, Rey,” said Sheila, how old are you?”  “25.” “What?” said Midori. “I was always a bust person, I haven’t even really had time, you know,” Reyjah explained. “So, that’s why you’re acting silly, trying to play like you just wanna be friends!” declared Sheila wearing her red sleeveless turtleneck, Serge Valente denims and red snakeskin platform sandals. Reyjah shot her a look. “Midori, did Ant call here from a hotel phone?” asked Reyjah. “That’s what the caller ID said,” said Midori hiding her face behind her coffee cup. “I gotta go back to the desk.” Dressed in a mint green DKNY baby tee and Earl jeans, she scurried back to the front desk. “See?” said Reyjah. “Now do you understand…?”  She looked at Sheila and Derrick. They nodded. “Anyways, I’m going to this classy-assed party with him tonight, and I need my hair done, Derrick…please?”  Derrick kissed her forehead. “You know it, girl, but you have to promise to sing for me.”

    Tales From Sha-Hair-Azad - Chapter 16