Pushin'

To the people who have excelled personally and professionally because of Drama High: Keep on pushing, because I know I will. To my publisher, Dafina/Kensington: twelve books down and we are still moving forward. Thank you always for your support. And finally, to my readers: As I have said before, as long as you keep reading, I'll keep writing. Thank you very much for your loyalty always. Keep flowing, keep hustling, keep working, keep praying, keep moving, keep striving, and keep pushing.

Jayd

A sassy seventeen-year-old from Compton, California, who comes from a long line of Louisiana conjure women. She is the only one in her lineage born with brown eyes and a caul. Her grandmother appropriately named her “Jayd,” which is also the name her grandmother took on in her days as a voodoo queen in New Orleans. Jayd now lives in her mother's apartment in Inglewood. She visits her grandmother on the weekends in Compton, her former home. Jayd is in all AP classes. She has a tense relationship with her father, whom she sees occasionally, and has never-ending drama in her life, whether at school or home.

Mama/Lynn Mae

When Jayd gets in over her head, her grandmother, Mama, is always there to help her. A full-time conjure woman with magical green eyes and a long list of both clients and haters, Mama also serves as Jayd's teacher, confidante, and protector.

Mom/Lynn Marie

At thirty-something years old, Lynn Marie would never be mistaken for a mother of a teenager. Jayd's mom is definitely all that and with her green eyes, she keeps the men guessing. Able to talk to Jayd telepathically, Lynn Marie is always there when Jayd needs her.

Netta

The owner of Netta's Never Nappy Beauty Shop, Netta is Mama's best friend, business partner, and godsister in their religion. She also serves as a godmother to Jayd, who works part-time at Netta's Shop.

Esmeralda

Mama's nemesis and Jayd's nightmare, this next-door neighbor is anything but friendly. She relocated to Compton from Louisiana around the same time Mama did and has been a thorn in Mama's side ever since. She continuously causes trouble for Mama and Jayd. Esmeralda's cold blue eyes have powers of their own, although not nearly as powerful as Mama's.

Rah

Rah is Jayd's first love from junior high school, who has come back into her life when a mutual friend, Nigel, transfers from Rah's high school (Westingle) to South Bay. He knows everything about her and is her spiritual confidant. Rah lives in Los Angeles but grew up with his grandparents in Compton like Jayd. He loves Jayd fiercely but has a baby-mama who refuses to go away. Rah is a hustler by necessity and a music producer by talent. He takes care of his younger brother, Kamal, and holds the house down while his dad is locked up and his mother strips at a local club.

Misty

The word “frenemies” was coined for this former best friend of Jayd's. Misty has made it her mission to sabotage Jayd any way she can. Living around the corner from Jayd, she has the unique advantage of being an original hater from the neighborhood and at school.

KJ

He's the most popular basketball player on campus, Jayd's ex-boyfriend, and Misty's current boyfriend. Ever since he and Jayd broke up, he's made it his personal mission to persecute her.

Nellie

One of Jayd's best friends, Nellie is the prissy princess of the crew. She is also dating Chance, even though it's Nigel she's really feeling. Nellie made history at South Bay by becoming the first black Homecoming princess and has let the crown go to her head.

Mickey

The gangster girl of Jayd's small crew, she and Nellie are best friends but often at odds with each other, mostly because Nellie secretly wishes she could be more like Mickey. A true hood girl, she loves being from Compton, and her ex-man with no name is a true gangster. Mickey and Nigel have quickly become South Bay High's newest couple.

Jeremy

A first for Jayd, Jeremy is her white on again /off again boyfriend who also happens to be the most popular cat at South Bay. Rich, tall, and extremely handsome, Jeremy's witty personality and good conversation keep Jayd on her toes and give Rah a run for his money—literally.

Mickey's Man

Never using his name, Mickey's original boyfriend is a troublemaker and always hot on Mickey's trail. Always in and out of jail, Mickey's man is notorious in her hood for being a coldhearted gangster, and loves to be in control. He also has a thing for Jayd, but Jayd can't stand to be anywhere near him.

Nigel

The new quarterback on the block, Nigel is a friend of Jayd's from junior high and also Rah's best friend, making Jayd's world even smaller at South Bay High. Nigel is the star football player and dumped his ex-girlfriend at Westingle (Tasha) to be with his new baby-mama-to-be, Mickey. Jayd is caught up in the mix as a friend to them both, but her loyalty lies with Nigel because she's known him longer and he's always had her back.

Chance

The rich, white hip-hop kid of the crew, Chance is Jayd's drama homie and Nellie's boyfriend, if you let him tell it. He used to have a crush on Jayd and now has turned his attention to Nellie for the time being. Chance's dreams of being black come true when he discovers he was adopted. His biological mother is half black, and his birth name is Chase.

Bryan

The youngest of Mama's children and Jayd's favorite uncle, Bryan is a dj by night and works at the local grocery store during the day. He's also an acquaintance of both Rah and KJ from playing ball around the hood. Bryan often gives Jayd helpful advice about her problems with boys and hating girls alike. Out of all of Jayd's uncles, Bryan gives her grandparents the least amount of trouble.

Jay

Jay is more like an older brother to Jayd than her cousin. He lives with Mama, but his mother (Mama's youngest daughter, Anne) left him when he was a baby and never returned. He doesn't know his father and attends Compton High. He and Jayd often cook together and help Mama around the house.

Prologue

1. Say What?

2. Cup of Tea

3. Stretch Marks

4. Ladies of Leisure

5. Backstabber

6. School Daze

7. Hamburger Helper

8. Growing Pains

9. Pushin'

10. Mama's Day

Epilogue

A Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions

E
ver since I left Rah's house Friday evening he's been blowing my cell up and I just don't have the energy to deal with his bull. Mama and I have been cooking all afternoon, providing me with the perfect distraction. After eating a slamming dinner of chicken, rice, greens, and cornbread, a sistah is stuffed. All I really want to do is pass out on my mom's couch and watch television for the rest of the night, but I doubt Mama's letting me go anytime soon. Since moving out of Mama's house a few weeks ago to live at my mom's apartment, Mama's made it her personal mission to keep me here as long as she possibly can on my now regular Sunday visits. And as long as I can get a good meal out of it I won't protest too much, even if the itis is setting in.

“Jayd, hand me that white fabric on the table, please,” Mama says from where she's seated on the floor across from the kitchen table. I stack the last of the clean dishes on the rack, dry my hands off on one of the yellow kitchen towels hanging from the cabinet above the sink, and hand her the stack of folded cloth.

“Thank you,” Mama says, taking the cotton fabric and placing it in one of several large bags sitting on the bamboo mat around her. Mama's in full initiation mode and with the weather officially warming up, it's just the beginning of her busy season as the head priestess in charge. All of the spiritual houses in Los Angeles County and beyond call on Mama's expertise, and I get to tag along as her assistant, even when I don't especially feel like it. I sit down in one of the chairs at the table and fan my face with my hand. It's a warm evening and with the way we threw down, the spirit room is still hot from the stove being on all day.

“Well, I guess I'd better get ready for the bembé,” I say, looking up at the clock on the wall. We've been back here for hours, eating, talking, and laughing. The sweet spell I put on her and my mom at Daddy's church on Easter a couple of weeks ago has worked its magic and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. I missed the last spiritual party celebrating the end of an initiation because of Misty's trifling ass. I'm not initiated yet and can't participate in all of the ins and outs of the rituals, but as Mama's apprentice I help in every other way. I was secretly hoping I'd start my cycle so I wouldn't have to help tonight, but no such luck. Any other time I'd be bleeding all over the place, but it's late this month. I wanted to take the time to catch up on my spirit work, focusing on my latest acquisition. Possessing my mom's gift of sight is a trip, and I want to learn more about controlling it. Keeping my newfound powers a secret has been no easy task, but so far, so good.

“I think your ashe is still too vulnerable to attend any spiritual festivities tonight, but there will be another bembé soon,” Mama says, unknowingly granting my silent wish. She opens the spirit book sitting next to her and directs me to sit across from her on the mat. “Read that section and take a honey bath when you get…home,” she says, faltering on her last word. Tears cloud Mama's jade eyes and fall to the page, permanently smudging the ancient black ink.

“Oh, Mama,” I say, reaching across the mat to hug my grandmother. I hate it when she cries. “I miss you, too.” And I do. I also miss my grandfather Daddy, my cousin Jay, and my crazy uncle Bryan. It's the rest of the fools up in the house, my other uncles, I'm glad to be rid of.

“Why do I lose all of my girls?” Mama asks, holding me tightly. The faint scent of garlic and rosemary drifts up from her apron, tickling my nose. Both of her daughters moved out the first chance they got, and so did I. I can't speak for Jay's mama or mine, but Mama has to realize how hard it is being the only young woman in a houseful of men.

“It's not you. But living with all these dudes is a bit much,” I say, holding on to Mama for one more second before letting go. Mama looks into my eyes, and I into hers, trying to use my mom's cooling gifts on her mind, but it's still no use. Mama's too powerful for my tricks. Luckily for me, her head's too hot with emotions to detect my attempted intrusions.

“I'd better get dressed before Netta gets here,” Mama says, rising from the floor and making her way to the door. It's hard for Mama to understand why everyone can't be as strong as she is, just like I can't understand for the life of me why she chooses to stay with a husband who cheats on her and trifling sons who don't respect her house.

“Maybe you and I can get a place of our own,” I say.

Mama smiles and kisses me on the cheek. “You are so sweet. And so young,” she says, taking three of the bags and directing me to claim the other three from the mat.

I follow her out of the spirit room and into the main house. It's still too early in the evening for my uncles to come home and Daddy's probably having dinner at the church where he's the pastor. Bryan and Jay are watching television in the living room and look less than enthusiastic to see us walk through the kitchen door. We set the bags down on the dining room table, checking to make sure we've got everything.

“Have fun, Mama, and tell Netta I said hi,” I say, kissing her on the cheek. Jay and Bryan look up and wave before returning their attention to the Bernie Mac rerun on the screen.

“Will do, baby, and see you tomorrow afternoon at work,” Mama says, quickly hugging me before heading to her room to get dressed for the party. I'm sure she'll look brilliant in her all-white clothing, as always. “And don't forget your spirit work, Jayd,” Mama yells from her room. Little does she know that's all I can think about. I'm looking forward to looking through the spirit book for more information on my mom's powers and clues as to how I can keep them. I have to be careful not to tip her or my mom off, or my new sight will be gone before I can master it, and I'm not ready for that yet. I want to be as dope as Mama is with her shit and as bad as my mom was when she had complete control of her mind-altering powers. And to get that flyy I've got a lot of work to do, starting right now.