SHE

|twenty-four|

"So what have you heard about Brian?" Mercy asked Nia. It was King's weekend with the kids, and Mercy booked a lot of appointments for some extra money. King wasn't home, and Mercy was trying to avoid him. Every time she drops the kids off, he's always touchy feely.

"I haven't heard anything really. I know that Dom said he was going to keep track of Brian, but the last thing I heard was that right after he got out he went to Atlanta"

"Oh well, it seems like he's no longer worried about y'all. Still keep your eyes open"

"How are you doing?" Nia asked Mercy. King moved back in with Nia until he finds an apartment. He hasn't gone apartment hunting yet, but Nia said that she will look for quality and affordable apartments or condos for him.

"I'm doing good. I'm a lot less stressed" Nia wanted to tell her how King was doing, but didn't want to make it seem like she was trying to guilt trip Mercy into getting back with King.

"That's good. When is your first appointment?" Nia asked. Mercy looked at her phone and her eyes widened.

"In less than 10 minutes. I gotta go! The kids are sleeping so I laid them on the couches. I'll see you Sunday. Love you" Mercy said as she hugged Nia and kissed her kids on their foreheads and left.

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Her first appointment was a quick weave at 7. Mercy was late to the shop, but the lady was even later. She didn't show up until 7:30, throwing and setting Mercy back.

After she finished with the woman, she added $25 to the cost for being late. The woman had an attitude, but Mercy shooed her away. There weren't many people in the shop because the other ladies in the shop didn't book many appointments.

Ramona came in after her quick weave appointment and started to set up her work area. "How you doing boo?" Ramona asked Mercy.

"I'm doing good and you?" Mercy was setting up her work area for her next appointment which was jumbo braids. The girl had already came in and gave Mercy the hair while Mercy was still doing the quick weave. The girl went to the barbershop next door to get her son in the chair.

"I'm doing great! I went to a party last night and guess who I saw? I saw Queenie and her new boo or whatever. I was ignoring them and then I went to the bar to get me a drink, and as I'm walking away with my drink she gonna come over and bump my arm, making me spill my drink all over her. Baby girl tried to swing on me, but my home girl stopped that real quick. She beat that ass up real good. Watch she come up in here either with hella make up on or sunglasses"

Mercy just laughed and shook her head. "Y'all are a mess. I lowkey think y'all got some sexual tension"

Ramona turned her face up. "Girl please! I am out of Queenie's league"

Mercy was almost through the girl's head and Queenie walked in wearing some big sunglasses and a hat. She had scratches on her neck and kept her head down. Mercy just shook her head and continued to do her client's head.

Her client's son came in the salon with one of the barber's, Anthony, who was holding the boy in his arms. They walked over to Mercy's station and Mercy greeted Anthony. "How much is it?" The lady asked Anthony.

"$5" Anthony responded.

Ramona scoffed. "You charge me $20 when I bring my nephew in" Anthony rolled his eyes.