Rise & Fall Of A Don

Chapter 10

Sasha Pov

Graduation

I sat there in the sun, wishing that the guest speaker would move this along. Why couldn’t they do this in the auditorium, I would never understand.
I looked over and saw Tommy, Ms. Pam, and some of my friends. I didn’t see my mom or my cousin Deasia. Deasia has been acting real funny with me lately. The vibe is off, so I’ve been keeping my distance from her, hoping that she’ll get over whatever she’s feeling. My friends were here, though. And most importantly, Tommy was here.
I  saw Nan come up to Tommy and rolled my eyes. I can’t stand Nan fake ass. He always acts like he knows what’s best for Tommy. They passed several words before Tommy walked back to his seat. He adjusted his sunglasses, and I knew he was upset about something. I wasn’t worried about him leaving. Tommy is always there for me. Even at the expense of his job at the gallery. He will be there for me and vice versa. 
I turned to Hope and smiled. My best friend. We’ve been friends since she moved here when she was 7.
She smiled back and grabbed my hand. “Congrats biiitchhh.”
I smiled. “Congrats to you. Can you believe it? We are done.”
“Your ass ain’t done. Tommy will make you go to college.”
I shrugged. “What’s so bad about that? College is very different from high school. You can pick your own schedule. When Tommy was going, he was in by 9 and was done at 1. Not 7 hours straight like it was in this hellhole. If Tommy wants me to, then I will. He just wants what’s best for me.” 
“If you go; you already know I’m coming,” said Hope.
“I love you. You’re my bitch, you know that right,” I stated.
“I love you too. I’m wit chu all the way. If you rocking.”
“I’m rolling,” I finished.
We stood and made our way to the stage. When they called my name, my people went wild. They screamed for so long. I looked over at Tommy. He had his hands around his  mouth shouting, whoop! whoop! Mrs. Pam was pumping her arm in the air and screaming. My friend girls that’s in the crowd are screaming so loud.
I shook my head. They did the same for Hope who came right behind me. I even screamed for her. Hope has come a long way. She’s been in and out of foster homes. She was sexually assaulted at the age of 6 by one of her foster parents. So she ran away and started living on the streets. She tried to steal a case-worker’s wallet one day. The case worker helped her. Pulled her off the streets and found her a good home with an old lady in the projects. She was timid in her own way. She’s not really all that comfortable around men. I told her that I would take her with me wherever I went and I meant that. I love Hope like a sister. Besides the fact, she’s the only one that never talked down on me and Tommy’s relationship. She just alway says, well will work it out and if we couldn’t we knew what to do. 
After we sat back down, the principal came and said a couple more things then we were done.
I grabbed Hope’s hand then went to my people. When we made it, we got all kinds of screams and congratulatory shouts.
“Congrats to you both.”
“Sasha.”
I turned when I heard my father’s voice. My father is a very intimidating man. The only reason he let my mother raise me is because of his career. He didn’t want to hire a nanny to take care of me while he traveled. Plus, I told him that I wanted to stay with Tommy. So as you can imagine. My father hates Tommy for that reason alone. My father is a 6 ’2 white man. He’s bald with wide shoulders because he works out every morning. For lack of a better word. He’s huge. 
One of Tommy’s friends snickered and said, “look at Stone Cold Steve Austin.”
I walked over to my father smiling. “Hey dad. I’m glad you came.” I hugged him.
“I want you to meet some of my friends and family.”
“Sure.” He kissed me on the forehead, handed me some congratulatory balloons. Then grabbed my hand and walked us over to my people.
“Dad, this is Mrs. Pam. She’s Tommy’s mom. Of course, you already know Hope. This is all of my friends and Tommy’s friends and last but not least. This is Tommy.”
Mrs. Pam walked up to her father and shook his hand. “You can just call me Pam.”
My father nodded. “It’s nice to meet you all.” Then his eyes settled on Tommy. “So this is Tommy. What are your plans for my daughter?”  My father cut straight to the point.
I shifted uncomfortably.
“Well for starters, I want her to go to college. My saying is, education is elevation. She will be the best version of herself. After she finishes college we will get married and start a family.”
“What do you plan on doing with your life?”
“Dad, please.” I was getting nervous. No one and I mean no one asked Tommy this many questions without him getting angry. He always says if a person asks more than three questions on the same topic, it feels like an interrogation to him and he takes offense. He always says just spit the shit out and stop beating around the bush. Once I asked him where he was going. Who would all be there and how long he’ll be gone. He got angry and asked me if I was writing a book. I mentally rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all.
“I’m a connoisseur of many things, but my main focus is art. I want to open a gallery some day and collect nothing but the best.” He looked over at me and smiled then winked. I blushed.   
“So in….” My dad started again but Mrs. Pam cut him off.
“Now hol-on. You not gonna sit here and drill my son. He has kept that girl in school, which was a task in itself. She wanted to drop out every other week. And that no good mama of hers didn’t help at all. My baby did all this while working and going to college himself. He’s not a common street thug or hood rat and you won’t treat him like one either. He hasn’t even had sex with the girl yet. He wanted her to save herself….”
“Ma, you’re embarrassing her,” Tommy chuckled.
My face was tomato red. I felt the hot blush on my cheek. Everyone was here listening to this. Mrs. Pam has no filter. It doesn’t surprise me that Tommy told his mom that. He tells her every damn thing. And most importantly, Mrs. Pam will defend Tommy, no matter what.
My dad turned to me, surprised. “You’re still a virgin. He hasn’t tried to have sex with you.”
I blushed. “Yes, I am and no, he hasn’t. Tommy has always told me to respect myself because if I won’t, no one else will. Now that all my business is out in the streets, can we change the subject.”
Tommy chuckled and wrapped his arm around his mother’s shoulders. “Why you embarrassing my baby like that, ma.”
“Because he was sitting there acting like you were the damn anti-christ. You know I don’t like when people get uppity. He had to be taking down a peg. You’re my baby. I will protect you just like he is doing with her. I didn’t lie, hell. How many times I’ve had to get out my bed and take her to school. Shit I’m invested as well, hell.” Everyone around nodded.
I went to her. “Mrs Pam, thank you for all that. I didn’t mean to act ungrateful. I just was going through hard times at home with my mom.”
She waved her hand. “Gul I know. You were a kid. It wasn’t your fault. It was your parent’s fault.”
Everyone burst out laughing. And just like that, the tension eased. And most importantly, Tommy had my father’s respect and Mrs. Pam as well.
“Well, I’m glad she has you all. And to show my appreciation. I would like to take you all out. Mazzio’s on me.”
“Now you’re talking. I’m hungry. Tom,Tom, I’m riding with you. Sash, you ride with your father and talk. He misses you. I can tell.”
After Tommy kissed me, I followed my dad to his car. I thought about what Mrs. Pam said.
“Dad. Mrs. Pam has a point. We need to talk more. When I call, you never answer or you’re always busy. I wish you would be in my life more. I barely have mom. You see she didn’t come to my graduation. If it wasn’t for Pam and Tommy, there’s no telling where I’d be right now.”
“I know honey. I have one more trip to make then I will be home more. I will sell the condo and buy a house. You can come over and visit.”
I nodded. When we made it to Mazzio’s, I saw Nan. I don’t like him. Why does he have to be everywhere all the time?  We all went in and sat down. Thankfully there was no wait for a party this size. My father sat to my left while Hope sat to my right. Tommy sat across from me. He smiled at me. “Congratulations.” 
I blushed. “Thanks Tommy.”
“I’ll go fix you a plate.”
I nodded. Him, Mrs. Pam and the rest all got up and got something to eat from the buffet. We all talked and laughed. When my father said that he had to go, I became sad. “I’ll call you sweetheart. I promise.”
I smiled and nodded. I was on a cloud. I was on a higher cloud when Tommy’s friends left.
Tommy  stared at me for a while. “Come here.”
I got up and walked around the table to him. He sat me on his lap and kissed me. I palmed his face and deepened the kiss. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, to let him know that I’m ready.
“Boy, cut that out before you get blue balls.” Everyone at the table laughed at Mrs Pam.
“I know when you right, ma.”  
I slapped his arm. “Tommy!”
“Are you ready?” I nodded my head vigorously. I’m so ready for him.
He chuckled. “Are you ready to go, Sash.”
“Oh, hm, yeah, I’m ready.”
He chuckled some more. He grabbed my hand and led me from the restaurant.