The girls turned and headed in the opposite direction, quickly happening upon a familiar face. Keyshawn was heading in their direction. Keyshawn had the type of personality that filled up rooms and spilled from the windows. His humorous disposition and gregarious manner attracted several individuals to his person. He always livened up the day of any person he came into contact with. He also happened to possess the most beautiful smile either Pat or Erica had seen on a man.
Keyshawn was wearing a green, sleeveless vest over a white polo, with some baggy, tan cargo pants. His hair was cornrowed to the back as usual. He said he wore his hair in cornrows to bug certain people out. He enjoyed the contrast created by his perceived thuggish hairstyle and his backpack-clad, b-boy persona.
Look at this motherfucker, grinned Erica, as Keyshawn approached.
Whats up yall, replied Keyshawn, slapping hands with Erica, then Pat. Whats up Bootyhead? he said to Pat, slapping her lightly on her cheek.
Bootyhead? echoed Pat.
Yeah. The top of your head is shaped like a ass.
Erica laughed.
No its not. Shut up, said Pat, pushing Keyshawn. Cornbread-skin motherfucker.
Erica laughed again. Yall be tripping me out, she said, gripping the straps of her backpack.
Cornbread-skin. That dont even make sense, said Keyshawn. What yall doing up here anyway?
Just wandering the premises, replied Pat. What you doing up here? Your fellow associate said you dont start til two.
What fellow associate?
Lena.
Ah, that bubble-head. I hate that girl.
Erica giggled. Is it that serious? Why you hate her?
Cause she mad dumb. Lemme tell you what this girl told me a couple days ago: She got this summer class, right? She taking this Black studies course. They was in class one day watching Roots. Lemme give you this girls review of Roots: She said it was boring and unrealistic.
Both girls erupted with laughter.
Unrealistic? said Pat.
She was like, Why didnt Kunta just say Toby in the first place? Then he wouldnta had to go through all that shit. I almost punched her in her eye.
Pat laughed. Wow. Thats mad dumb, she said.
If she that ignorant, why she taking a Black studies course? asked Erica.
Cause she gotta take an elective, and her dumb-ass figure that just cause she black, she should pass the class easy, replied Keyshawn with a disgusted expression.
What grade is she getting? asked Pat with a chuckle.
I dont know, but if she aint getting a F, Ima go up to that school and burn it downburn it the fuck down. Any school that would give a brick-brained idiot like that a passing grade in a Black studies course dont need to exist.
The girls laughed.
Peep this other shit though, Keyshawn continued. One day she was supposed to be pricing some $60 sweaters, right? Lena putting $10 tags on the motherfuckers. Im like, What the hell you doing? She said, When I get off, Ima buy these for $10. Im like, They not gonna ring you up for that shit. She said, Ill ring it up myself. Im like, No, youll get fired for that shit. She was like, Nooooo. Im like, You better not let Rich catch you doing that shit. Hell boot your little ass through that window.
Did she do it? laughed Erica.
Nah, she aint do it. She got all scared. I shouldnta even said nothing. It woulda been mad funny to see Rich light into her dumb ass.
Keyshawn, are these stories really true? questioned Pat
It dont seem possible that somebody could be that dumb do it? Im giving you the actual-factuals, though. Ask Lena. Ask her what she think about Roots.
Actual-factuals, snickered Pat. Yo, where my Jamiroquai at, guy?
Aw, I still got that shit.
I know you got it. When Ima get it back?
Just come over my crib tomorrow. Ill give it back to you.
For real? You gonna be there?
Think Im not when I am? Yeah, Ima be there. Just come through.
Did you dub it yet?
Nah, Ima just buy it. Ill support em. I want it on wax, though.
Keyshawn began rapping loudly and waving his arms around as the trio approached the entrance of Akili Books.
Oh yeah, Keyshawn, started Erica, trying to get Keyshawns attention. Keyshawn ignored Erica, consciously or otherwise, proceeding with his lyrical outburst.
Keyshawn! repeated Erica, raising her voice.
What?
Im trying to tell you something.
What you trying to tell me? asked Keyshawn, eyeing a rack of framed artwork.
Do you know about that Hieroglyphics show?
What?
The show is tonight at the Black Betty.
Nah, I aint hear about that shit, replied Keyshawn, now giving Erica his full attention.
Its all sold out, though, said Pat, chiming in.
Word? said Keyshawn. Ima still be there. Shit, Ima be knocking heads out if I got tojack a head for his ticket.
Dont you gotta work? asked Pat. What time you get off?
At close. Ima be up at nine, though. What time the show start?
Nine, said Erica.
Ima be up in that piece, said Keyshawn, starting to back out of the store.
Where you going? asked Pat.
Huh?
Where you going?
I gotta pay off this fucking credit card bill up in Carsons. Ill get up with yall later.
A-ight, replied Pat. With that, Keyshawn disappeared into the mall.
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