FORTY-EIGHT
The following week, Coco and the graduating class of 2003 entered the assembly hall amidst the cheers of parents and family members. Deedee walked proudly with Eric next to her. Sitting in the large audience was a beaming, tear eyed Rachel Harvey. The ceremonies kicked off promptly at nine-thirty.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, parents, family members and friends of the graduating class of the year two thousand and three…” the school principal began his speech.
Meanwhile, inside a deli Mannie and a pretty young thing sat next to a large window facing the street. They shared breakfast while awaiting a clinic appointment.
“What time is your appointment?” He asked and watched two motorcyclists parking then walking across the street. They stood as if reading the menu posted outside on the window.
“In fifteen minutes. It’s only ten-fifteen,” she said glancing at her watch. “You’re so impatient Mannie,” she added. “Imagine carrying a baby for nine months.”
“That’s a woman’s job, I can’t imagine that.” Mannie said as he eyed the two figures suspiciously.
His defenses dropped when they removed their helmets. Only two Asian women with long black hair, he thought. Then they opened fire cutting him in half while the girl screamed. Seconds later, they rode off leaving Mannie doubled-over in his chair. The uproar had the other diners running, scattering and screaming.
At the same time the vice principal introduced the Dean of students and the short, balding shifty eyed, bespectacled man made his way to the podium.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family members, I, too, would like to welcome you to the graduation ceremonies. I have seen some good performances over the past twenty years. What I’ve been privileged to witness has never happened before, a student achieving a perfect score right across the board. Our Valedictorian did just that. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to present, Coco Harvey.”
“That’s my girl, that’s my daughter,” Rachel Harvey leapt from her seat and applauded as if her life depended on it.
The audience stood and applauded. Coco made her way to the podium and the chanting began. Josephine and Deedee set it off by clapping in sync to the rhythm of the chant.
“Go Coco, go Coco… Go Coco, go Coco…”
“Yo Coco, kick a rhyme, yo…” an audience member jokingly shouted and everyone laughed.
“She better not,” someone said.
The mantra echoing her name continued for five minutes. Coco cleared her throat before beginning her speech.
“Good morning to the graduating class, our families, our friends, and the faculty and staff...”
The applause was deafening and Coco paused before continuing.
“First, I’d like to say thanks. Thanks to all who’re graduating, who came to see us graduated and thanks to all the school officials who made all this possible. In the beginning this date seemed so far away and sometimes it became almost unattainable, but thank God for our parents. I guess that’s another reason they’re here. For those of you who have lost theirs, I want to commend you because as difficult as it is with your parents, I know it is even worse without them. I’d like to thank the people who have supported me, my friends; Josephine and Deedee, you both have been like sisters to me. Miss Katie, God bless you. I love you Madukes.”
Coco glanced at her mother’s proud face. Mrs. Harvey applauded and the rest of the audience followed suit. She threw her daughter a kiss.
About the same time, Kim awoke and immediately ran to the bathroom. She closed the door and vomited. Carlos was up by the time she came out looking sick. Roshawn ran to her and she picked him up.
“You’re ahight, ma,” Carlos asked. Kim thought for a while then she answered.
“I hope I’m not pregnant,” she said. “I don’t need another baby, right this minute.”
“We good, ma. Another baby we fine.” Carlos said.
“Thanks for your optimism,” Kim said sarcastically. “Is my baby okay?” she asked as she walked to where Roshawn lay in the bed.
Last night Kim and Carlos had fell asleep on the sofa. Carlos was completely dressed when Kim and Roshawn walked out. “Mommy loves you baby. Did you sleep well?” Kim asked.
“I love mommy,” Roshawn said. Kim laughed as the doorbell rang.
“Must be that crazy ass friend of mine only she’ll be up and about…” Kim said and opened the door. There were two Asian women clad in red bikers’ suits. “What can I do for y’all?” Kim asked.
“We are here with a message from a friend of Carlos.”
“Huh? Carlos? No Carlos lives here.” Kim answered.
“Quiene… Who is it?” Carlos asked.
The moment he showed his face, the explosion went off. Kim’s eyes widened when she saw the guns. They sprayed bullets through the entire apartment. A fusillade of automatic fire spun Carlos backwards. All the time Kim closed her eyes and hugged Roshawn tightly to her chest. In a matter of seconds the ordeal was over and the killers were gone. Still hugging her son, Kim ran out of the bloody mess that was left in her apartment.
Back in the assembly hall where the graduation ceremonies were in progress, Coco smiled as she continued the valedictorian’s speech. Her voice came through clearly and she held the attention of everyone in the audience, especially her mother.
“…we can finally say with pride, we did it. The stress of staying up late night studying, the endless exams, and university applications are all behind us now. There are thousands of memories running through our minds when we reflect on our many high school experiences. I remember losing a dear friend and fellow student, Danielle she was a fun loving person. Despite our experiences good or bad, we have no choice but to grow and move forward in order to realize our dreams…”
The applause was still going when the Dean introduced the graduating class. Immediately after the ceremonies, the girls rushed to pose for photos.
“Here Coco, lemme take one of you and your mom dukes,” Josephine said.
“Take another one,” someone yelled. Cameras snapped away.
“We’ve got to go soon because Coco and you have a radio spot and a performance tonight,” Deedee reminded.
Flashbulbs popped off when photographers from newspapers and other students recognized him. Coco and Eric took front stage.
Tina and her son was already up when Ernesto awoke at eleven in the morning. He had spent all night hustling in the streets. Nesto yawned and thought of chilling.
“I’m thinking of staying with you and Junior today,” he said.
Nesto kissed his son and Tina. He had waited patiently but was having no luck in getting Lil’ Long to change his mind.
Pretty soon the Russians were gonna make a move, he thought. He was going have to get Lil’ Long to turn the diamonds back over to the Russians. No diamonds, no pay day. Nesto sat in the living room watching television. He knew he was running out of time. The doorbell rang.
“Is this Nesto’s home?”
“Who is it?”
A Tech nine sprayed. Nesto was left leaking. Tina waited for a couple of seconds, picked up her son and tiptoed over Nesto’s bloody carcass.
