Page 7 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
However, when BG and Uncle Knox suggested to use the salon as a front and deal through the acrylic it caught Grandpa Myth’s attention. He bought it and did what needed to be done. It ain’t stop there either. He made sure BG and Uncle Knox knew how to do a full set and pedicure. In his mind, if they was gon’ run a business as such, they better knew the basics. BG went through it and made his sons do the same.
Yeah, me and that big mouth ass nigga could buss you and yo’ bestie down with a new set in the blink of an eye. Appearance alone wouldn’t tell you that, but we was damned good at it because it meant a lot to my mama and her culture. We were licensed for legal reasons.
“Yes sir,” I said looking over at Ashaun. I mouthed,you a bitch. He ran his mouth too much for me. All he gave me in return was a devious smile.
“Mama, the food done?” he yelled and walked away. I had something for his ass.
“Other than that, we good?” I inquired.
“Yeah. Get to the shop sometime this week and show yo’ face. Being a boss requires more than just a call in,” he demanded following behind his son.
I stood there realizing I wouldn’t be able to move on from this Vegas shit as easily as I thought. Ashaun knew more than what he was letting on, and I just knew he wasn’t gon’ volunteer information. He worked that last piece of nerve I had every time.
Chapter 3
Mercedees
Looking up from my glasses, I watched another potential client enter my establishment. Nail Fairy’s had been my baby since I could remember. At first, I was intrigued by the length of my mom’s nails. She was stuck in the nineties, but it gave me so much inspiration. She was the goat little did she know.
“Welcome to Nail Fairy’s, what can we do for you?” Marli, my receptionist asked.
“Uh, yeah, is Mercedees here? My homegirl recommended her, so I’m here to see what her work is like.”
Marli looked back at me to see what I was on, and I gave her a slight head shake. I was booked for the rest of the day and wouldn’t be able to squeeze anyone in. Right after baby girl in the chair was done, I had a length and rhinestone client. That would take at least two hours. To be honest, she had to settle on an appointment for next week. My time was accounted for.
“So, she is, but she is completely booked today and for the rest of the week for that matter. There’s availability for next week if you’d like to take a slot.”
“Damn, a whole week. Can you go see if she can squeeze me in today? I’ll pay whatever she ask for.”
“I’m sorry but paying extra won’t get you in. She doesn’t do bribes and never overcharges her customers. Can I sit you with another tech?”
“I don’t want another damn tech. I want Mercedees. Winnie said I was good if I came to see her. What’s the problem?” Her voice was still the loudest thing in the shop, and it was getting on my nerves quite frankly.
“Once again, I’m sorry for the inconvenience but Nail Fairy’s can’t serve you today. If you can please leave the building that would be great.” Marli was nice, gentle, and helpful. However, the bitch that chose her outside voice every time she spoke, gave her grief.
“Sorry? You ain’t did shit. Aye, whoever Mercedees is, can you speak the fuck up please? I need my nails done, and I ain’t leaving until they are!” she shouted.
The client seated in front of me looked at me with worried eyes. The difference between the bitch at the counter and everybody else in the shop was they knew not to cause chaos in my shit. I was the only muthafucka authorized to show my ass in here ‘cause I was the only muthafucka footing the bills.
“Cedees, what you ‘bout to do?” she whispered.
“Show her out. Marli already said what needed to be said. Give me a minute.” I reached in my drawer for my brass knuckles and slipped them on.
“Cedees, you’ gon’ go to jail,” she hissed.
“I doubt it,” I replied confidently and stood. I made my way to the front desk and put on a fake ass smile followed by, “Don’t make this harder than it has to be love. I got a busy schedule and won’t be available until next week. If you can’t wait, go somewhere else.”
The entire time I spoke, my hand was hidden behind my back. She had one time to talk to me crazy, and I was hopping on that ass. Disrespect wasn’t tolerated in no shape or form. Iran an easy-going environment no matter how much of a loose cannon I may seemed to be.
“Oh, so you’re Mercedees,” she scoffed.
“I am, and once again, I can’t serve you this week. If you don’t mind another tech handling you, we’d gladly service you. If that’s not what pleases you, then we have nothing for you. What’s it going to be?”
The kindness in me was leaving at a rapid pace. I was seconds away from saying fuck all the professionalism and throwing her rude ass out. My people weren’t used to bitchy ass folk, and she was one of them.
“I need my fuckin’ nails done. How is it my homegirl can come up here any time and get her shit done but I have to book an appointment? Y’all playing favorites and I don’t like that. I said I was willing to pay whatever the hell you asked for. I got somewhere to be tonight. Make it happen for me the same way you do for her.” She dug in her purse, pulled out a wad of cash, and flung it at me hitting me in the mouth.
The entire shop went quiet. It was so dead silent in this bitch I could hear the toilets flush in the back. Lil’ Miss Mamas was the only one unaware of the danger she was in. Busting a bitch in her grill was not on my agenda for the day.
