In My Hood by Endy Page B

What are you doing here?” he asked as if he didn’t know she worked there.
    “You know why I’m here. I’m working. As if you didn’t know.” She rolled her eyes, placing her hand on her hip.
    “You work here?”
    She sucked her teeth at him. “You know I work here. Don’t play yourself.”
    “What a coincidence.” He continued to smile at her.
    Ishmael looked her up and down, almost undressing her with his eyes. She had on a pair of black fitted stretch pants that hugged her curves, a white low-cut shirt that showed her cleavage, and an IHOP apron.
    She began to feel uncomfortable, and she tugged at her clothing.
    “Are you going to order something or not?” she asked with attitude.
    “Easy, Rae. I haven’t decided yet,” he toyed with her.
    “Well, I’ll come back when you’re ready.” She walked away.
    Once back at the station, the short hostess approached her.
    “Mmm, I see somebody got an admirer,” she said, smiling.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Hmm. The way that baller was checking for you, I know you know what I’m talking about. Besides, he asked for you personally.”
    Desiree sucked her teeth and went to stand out of Ishmael’s view.
These people are so damn nosy
, she thought.
    “Go take his order. You can’t keep a customer waiting all night.” The short hostess snickered.
    “Who y’all talking about?” the manager named Hazel asked, walking up to them.
    “About that fine mother father sitting in Desiree’s section.”
    Hazel looked in the direction the short waitress was pointing. “Hot damn! I’d like to ride his pony. Umm, umm, umm!” Hazel said with a little too much enthusiasm for a woman in her early fifties.
    “I told her to get with him. He is all that. Plus, he asked for her personally.” The tiny woman elbowed Hazel.
    “A request, huh? What be your problem, gurl? You better nab that tenderoni.” Hazel continued to gawk.
    “Hazel, you just a horny old woman,” the short hostess said, laughing.
    “Call me what you want, but if baby gurl over here don’t get with that, then he’ll be calling the Lord’s name laid out on his back by the time I’m done with him.” She snapped her fingers.
    Ishmael watched the women in their huddle and knew they were talking about him. He watched Desiree’s disgusted expression as she stalked toward him.
    “What’s wrong, ma?”
    “Nothing. What do you want?” she said, irritated.
    “Now is that the way to treat a customer?” He smiled.
    “Listen, Ishmael, I’m at work, and I don’t have time for games.”
    “A’ight, ma, I see you’re not in a playing mood. I’ll have the steak and eggs,” he said, placing the menu down on the table.
    “How do you want your steak?” She sounded rehearsed.
    “Let’s see—” he took a sip of his soda—“well done.”
    “How would you like your eggs?” She rolled her eyes at him.
    “Rae, I’m not here to cause you any trouble. I just want to talk to you.”
    “How would you like your eggs?” Her attitude reappeared.
    “I want eggs whites only, scrambled well.”
    “Egg whites are extra.”
    “Do it look like I’m beat for money?” He leaned back, staring at her blankly.
    “I don’t know what you’re beat for,” she said, snatching up the menu and storming off.
    Hazel watched the interaction and decided to take it upon herself to approach Ishmael’s table.
    Desiree watched Hazel from a distance, at the way she giggled and performed like a high school kid. Hazel was overweight and ghetto fabulous. Her big belly jiggled every time she laughed as she playfully hit Ishmael.
    Several minutes went by while Desiree gawked as the two conversed. Hazel waddled her wide hips, adding a little too much swing to them over to Desiree.
    “Desiree, I just had a conversation with your customer. He is quite the gentleman. He’s informed me that he’s been tryna talk to you for several weeks now and you won’t give him the time of day. What’s the