12 Pushin’ 8 Growing Pains “I want to be your friend/not now and then, but until the end/…I’d rather be with you.” —BOOTSY COLLINS When Jeremy and I woke up this morning after a wonderful night celebrating yesterday’s victory, he prepared a quick breakfast for us and then we went on with our separate days. Jeremy’s going to catch up on his sleep and I’m working, as usual. It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of braiding Rah’s hair; he relaxes at my slightest touch. I take the black plastic comb and part his hair in half. Rah’s hair is so thick I don’t need to use clips to hold the loose parts in place or on the ends of his braids. The comb won’t move as long as Rah stays still. “Have you been using my coconut oil blend for your scalp?” I ask, doing a careful survey of the work ahead of me. Rah hasn’t been taking the best care of his hair, and he knows he can’t lie to me about it. Whatever novice he’s had up in his hair has not done his crown justice and has just made my job that much more difficult.
