Chapter 18 Boo #2
I catch most of the females gawking at Nickoi as he leaves.
I hiss under my breath, damn, they’re pissing me off.
The music swells and we start marching inside the building.
We take our seats on the right; families fill the left side.
The ceremony begins with the chancellor talking about Covid and how it impacted us, but that despite it all, we completed the academic year successfully.
I don’t catch much of the speech, I drift off, only to be jolted awake when Suzanne touches my arm.
“Zara,” she whispers. I blink up, realizing the Registrar is now on the platform. A so long mi doze off for?
“…family and friends of our honorary graduates, our colleagues, representatives of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, schools, colleges, and examination bodies, welcome to you all,” the Registrar announces.
I glance over at my mom and spot Mama chatting with Nickoi.
A wah them a talk bout? I smile, then see my father.
My smile grows, he’s here? Well, mi never see that coming.
Nicki is here too, and the twin because I invited them.
Then, out of nowhere, I spot Sash sitting beside Gavin. Wah she a do here? Kiss mi teeth.
I turn back to the ceremony, trying to calm myself.
The speeches are killing me, or maybe it’s just that I want to sleep but can’t, not with me being valedictorian.
I sit through the long forty minutes speeches, my patience thinning with every minute.
Finally, when the speaker finishes, I applaud with the rest, mostly because it’s over. Jesus Christ, man.
Zara, mi cyaa tek yuh enuh.
The Registrar returns to the stage. “Chancellor, the persons whose names will be called studied at St. Joseph’s Teacher’s College and will be presented by the deans of their respective faculties,” she says.
All the graduates look a little happier, maybe because they know this means the end is near.
They start presenting the Bachelors of Education in Early Childhood, Primary Education, and Special Education.
When they get to Secondary Education in Mathematics, the guy who flirted with me goes up and gets First Class Honours. I applaud quietly. Next, they present Bachelors in History and Culture, and I cheer when Suzanne’s name is called. She takes her picture and walks down. Now it’s almost my turn.
“Zara Williams, First Class Honours!” the announcer calls. The crowd erupts in cheers. I fix my hair and walk to the front, smiling. I glance at my man, applauding slowly, his lip tucked in. Ouuu.
After I return to my seat, another speaker takes the stage. Then it’s my time. Nervous but determined, I slowly make my way to the podium, silently praying. The cheering dies down. Everyone is quiet, waiting. I spot Mom and Mama beaming, their smiles wide, pictures of my faces on their little fans.
I sigh and glance at Nickoi. Again. He’s staring, then gives me a small encouraging smile then I begin.
“Doctor R. Goulden, Chancellor; K. Sanders, Pro Chancellor; present and past members of the board of directors; ministers of education and their representatives; the graduating class; and the entire St. Joseph’s College family… Good afternoon,” I begin.
With each word, I grow more confident. A few laughs come as I reflect on our experiences and the times I switched to patois. I’m not nervous anymore, I’m owning it. My professor nods approvingly as I finish. Prada you!
NICKOI
“The gyal brilliant enuh,” Mama says, and I smile.
“No joke,” I murmur, listening to Zara’s speech. No one could guess she barely got to prepare, she sounds confident, calm, like she been rehearsing all week. Her tone so sweet, it’s like a white noise that could put me to sleep.
“Mi really proud a har, man.” Mama chuckles. I nod, eyes still on Zara. Then my phone vibrates. I check the screen and see a new WhatsApp message: ‘Mario is on to you and says he’s going to talk to Lorie tomorrow. Just giving you a heads up.’
Mario? I type fast: ‘Respect, fam.’
As I hit send, my mind starts spinning. I need this handled quick.
Only one person I trust for inside jobs.
Juaqína. I open her chat and send her a message telling her about Mario and that he’s going to question Lorie about the shooting.
I told her what I want her to do. She responds almost instantly.
‘That’s risky… but I’ll see what I can do.’
I lock my phone and shift my focus back to Zara’s voice.
The Government always predictable. Soon as them cases start piling up, they reach out for foreign help.
Of course they’d get Mario. He’s the best. Exactly who I would’ve chosen…
if he wasn’t coming for me. But it’s alright.
Making your job easier, Mario? We’ll see.
***
Once the ceremony ends, I stand beside Zara. My sister takes our pictures with the camera Zara never leaves. I look down at her, her skin golden. She holds the bouquet I gave her, and I lean in, and kiss her gently.
Janel squeals behind the lens. “This is too cute!”
Zara leans closer to look at the preview. Even in those heels, she’s still my shawdy. It shows when she stands beside me. In the second pic, my hand instinctively rests on her belly.
“Congratulations enuh,” Jordane says, grinning. My mother hugs Zara tight.
“Mi seh, a neva feel so proud inna mi life yet!” Gavin beams, walking over.
JUAQUINA
He puts Zara over me again, but I’m still loyal, still ten toes for him.
When he called, I was heading to see my mother.
But the second he explained what was going down, I knew I had to lock in.
If Lorie opens her mouth to the police, Nickoi’s gone, and I’m not letting that happen.
What he asked me to do? Risky as hell. But it’s Nick.
I’d burn the whole place down if it meant keeping him safe.
It’s almost 2 a.m. We wait in the shadows of the hospital parking lot, watching the world slow down.
That’s when I spot a doctor heading to his car.
“A we pass that,” I mutter. Genius nods, slipping out. Gutta stays posted in the car, eyes sharp.
“Think fast and clean, enuh,” Gutta says. Me and Genius move briskly. Hoodie up, mask on. I press the cold metal of the gun against the doctor’s side, guiding him to the corner of the lot.
“Yuh gonna misbehave?” I whisper.
“N-no miss,” he stutters, hands raised.
“Good. Walk.” He leads us inside through the back. That way, it’s less eyes. Less questions.
“First,” I say, “show him the control room with the cameras. Then take me to Lorie. She’s… an old friend.”
He nods like his knees weak.
After Genius clears the cameras, we head down the hall. Fluorescent lights hum above us like a warning. The doctor stops at a door and begs, “P-please… don’t hurt her.”
I give him a cool smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t.”
I step inside. Lorie’s out cold. I slip in quietly, place a recorder under her sheet. Genius returns, dragging the doctor with him, and I give a slight nod before he’s gone again. Then she stirs. Her eyes flutter open. Confused. Then scared. Her hand inches toward the red emergency button.
I raise the gun. “If you ever.”
She freezes. “W-wha you want?” she stammers, eyes wide.
She moves again. Wrong move. I rip the button away, press a pillow over her face, not long. Just enough to remind her. She gasps when I pull it back.
“A detective named Mario’s coming for you in a few hours. He’s gonna ask about who shot you. And you and I both know who.” Tears stream down her face.
“If you even say ‘Ni,’ much less ‘Nick,’ you’re dead… and don’t worry hoe, I’ll be listening.”
She nods frantically. “O-okay.”
I smile, wickedly. “Sleep well, boo.” Then I disappear into the dark.