Page 40 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
“Well, I heard about you guys through a friend. She’s gotten her nails done by a young man by the name of Magnetic or something of that nature.” Magnus worked in the shop on his days off as well. We taught damn near the whole crew how to work a brush. When our backs was against the wall, this would save us.
A low chuckle rumbled as I looked back at my dawg. Magnus was nice with it too. He wasn’t too open to learning this shit, but he got with the program and now it was his favorite pastime. “I believe you meant Magnus, and he’s here today as well. Would you prefer him?”
She looked in the direction of him and smiled even bigger. I could tell she would be a reoccurring customer coming simply for theeye candy. I didn’t mind her getting her fill as long as she got a service while looking.
“Nope. I’m good right here. So, tell me, what does a young man get out of doing this kind of thing? Oop, was that too personal? I’m sorry.”
I prepped her nails as I gave her the backstory of Myth Nails. When it came to my folk, I was never ashamed. My grandfather worked hard for this shit, and I honored him by creating a chain of these muthafuckas. He would’ve been proud of me.
“I’m mixed so my grandfather on my mother’s side was the original owner of Myth Nails. He started in Florida doing what was necessary for his family. This ain’t nothing to my culture so he made good money until he didn’t. My mother and father were already dating in college, so she vented to him. He loved her enough to convince my grandfather Myth to buy it. He did and from then on, we held it down. My grandfather taught my father, and my father, his sons. I owe this to them,” I expressed.
“You have a beautiful history. I’m big on family. Speaking of, I have a daughter around yo’ age. Maybe you two should meet,” she said pitching her daughter off like a salesman.
The door of the salon opened and in walked my wife as if she was summoned. One thing I gathered with the quickness was Clover had a hell of a mean streak. The way she snatched shawty up in the club and been giving me hell sense she met me, I knew she was ‘bout to do miss lady in… or me. Whichever one of us would do her suffice. She locked eyes with a nigga and slowly made her way over.
Softly chuckling, I placed a hand on my chest before saying, “I ‘preciate that, but I’m a happily married man. I don’t think my wife would allow it.”
My wife. My muthafuckin’ wife. I had to chuckle once more just from thinking ‘bout how feisty she was. Mercedees Atkins, owner of three nail salons with all doing better than the last. She too specialized as a nail technician. The fact that she found me before I found her was comical. She wasn’t off the hook though. I gave her ass a day and she took several.
“Oh, you’re married? I didn’t know because there’s no ring,” she commented.
“Bitch, he don’t need one. When a muthafucka tell you they married, respect it,” Clover snapped.
“Respect my shop and my client’s, Mama. Don’t bring that up in here knowing I got a business to run. Apologize to my client and come sit down,” I said, pointing to the chair next to me.
“I ain’t doing shit. You want to be in bitches faces so fuckin’ bad give me my annulment and do you. I wish I would let a nigga play in my face!”
Ignoring my wife, I directed my attention to my client. “Ms. Dorinda, I truly apologize for the way my wife approached you, spoke to you, and disrespected you. She’s supposed to be areflection of me, but I guess she’s lacking today. Please, excuse me.”
Standing, that smile dropped, and my demeanor grew cold. The look in Clover’s eyes showed slight fear the closer I got to her. Those few steps she took back didn’t make a difference. I had long strides. Once we were face to face, I bent down to speak directly in her ear with my right hand circling her neck. I squeezed lightly just for the effect.
“Who the fuck raised you? Why is it so hard for a muthafucka to get some respect out yo’ pretty ass? A nigga wouldn’t come to yo’ shop on this bullshit, so don’t come to mine with it. If you had something to say to me, you should’ve asked for me to be excused. All this rah-rah shit is hood rat behavior. I don’t fuck with them kind, Ma. Show me some goddamn respect before this shit go left,” I warned her.
Taking a step back, she looked around out of embarrassment. Clover was a grown ass woman and still behaved like a brat. That alone told me she was spoiled as fuck and was used to getting her way. She was married to a nigga that didn’t tolerate all that bullshit. She ain’t have a choice but to get with the program.
Shoving me in my chest, she spoke lowly saying, “Stop talking to me like that.”
“Stop making me. Apologize to that lady Clover. She ain’t deserve that,” I ordered.
Sitting back down, my wife dropped her head and walked over to my client. This was taking her by surprise, but I really ain’t give a fuck. Being grown meant knowing how to be accountable for yo’ shit. She was gon’ hold herself to that standard every time she was with me.
“That was rude as fuck so… sorry.” After that, she looked at me and said, “Fuck you, and this marriage, Arion. You gon’ regret embarrassing me.”
“I doubt it. I’ll see you when I get home?”
“You wish,” and with that she left the same way she came.
Smiling from ear to ear, I compressed my anger as best as I could. I didn’t tolerate disrespect in no shape, form, or fashion. I had some unpleasing words for her ass but those were for her ears and her ears alone. I’d never let the world know when the home was unhappy.
“I’d like to apologize for my wife’s behavior once more. Normally she gives me hell during the late-night hours. I guess she felt generous today,” I jested, making light of the situation.
Ms. Dorinda nodded returning the smiling gesture. I thanked God that some women had sense an enough maturity to let things go. When it came to Clover, I was gon’ have to fuck some sense into her mean ass.
“It’s alright. I completely understand why she’s so aggressive behind you. I reckon my daughter would behave the same way if you were hers. Let’s just let it go with no hard feelings. Alright?” I nodded agreeing and she continued with, “So what shape should I do with cat eye polish?”
“Am I cutting down your nails?” I only asked because she had a pretty nice length to them. They also looked healthy.
Shaking her head, she said, “Heavens no. I’ve had a struggle getting my nails this long and healthy. They used to be so thin.”
