by Margo
Aaliyah rolled over, covering her face with her arm. She knew that she needed to get up, but she was tired. The stress of finally completing college and making preparations with Eron’s mother was getting to her.
Eron started shaking Aaliyah. “Get your ass up.”
“I’m up. Damn,” Aaliyah snapped, getting up and heading straight to the shower.
“You a ol’ evil muthafucker. I’m about to go take care of some business. I’ll see you at the school.”
“Okay.” Aaliyah hopped into the shower, feeling so drained and a little overwhelmed. She made it a quick shower because she needed to get her hair done at nine.
I might as well get dressed now. It’ll be easier than trying to get dressed at the shop or the school.
Aaliyah had an eerie feeling about the day, but she just counted it toward missing her mother. She just got dressed in a Herve Lager dress and Yves Saint Laurent pumps. Combing her hair down, she knew that she wouldn’t feel the full effect until Mike worked his magic on her hair.
Aaliyah peeked through the blinds, and the black S550 Mercedes-Benz was parked in the driveway. Guess I can drive that. Eron would usually pull out a car of the three for her to drive before he left to go to “work.”
Aaliyah hopped in the car and smiled at the sight before her. Not only did she see a big Louis Vuitton bag, but she saw her cap and gown hanging in the back seat. She just had to pick up the phone and call Eron.
“Don’t be calling now! Yo’ ass just had attitude.” Eron was pushing the bitch Jessica off of him. He originally went over there because he wanted her to take a couple trips OT. She played hard to get, of course, but she came around.
“Thank you, baby! I love it! You are the man!” Aaliyah exclaimed as she pulled out of the driveway, stealing a glance at the Louis Vuitton Damier Belmont bag.
“You deserve that and more. You’re my graduate,” Eron declared, looking Jessica in the eye and daring her to say some dumb shit.
“All right, love, I’ll see you later.” Aaliyah hung up as she got out of the car to lock the box in the trunk. In Detroit, if a nigga felt like there was some money in your car, they had no problem busting your window to get it. Nah, a school graduation wasn’t safe either. Detroit was full of grimy niggas. If a nigga wanted what you had, they did whatever to make it happen.
Aaliyah pulled out the driveway heading to Salon DNA to see Mike H. By the time she got to the shop. She had an hour to get in and out. Aaliyah was buzzed into the shop.
“Hey, boo,” Mike greeted her. Mike was one of the coldest stylists in the D. He was humble and great at what he did. There were other great stylists in Detroit, and Mike did their hair too. He was definitely their favorite stylist.
“Hey, Mike.” As she walked closer to Mike’s styling chair, she saw the person he was finishing up. “Well, hello, Ms. Dior!”
Dior blushed. “Hello to you, Ms. Lady. You look gorgeous as ever.”
“Nah. Not yet. Mike ain’t put his touch on it yet. You look really pretty also.” Dior really did look amazing in her off-white knee-length fitted dress topped off with silver accessories and pink Gucci peep-toe pumps. Mike styled her hair in an out-cold bob.
Mike chimed in. “I see y’all finally crossed paths. Aaliyah, I been telling Dior about you for the longest. Y’all remind me of each other.”
“He has been telling me about you. He speaks highly of you.”
“That’s flattering. Thanks, Mike. Yeah, we are definitely going to hang out a bit. We can definitely shop. We got that part.” Aaliyah snickered as Mike ushered Dior out of the chair and Aaliyah into it.
“All right, thanks, Mike. Aaliyah, congratulations. I’ll see you at the school.”
They said their good-byes and Dior was out the door. It didn’t take Mike long to whip Aaliyah’s hair in big curls. She was now graduation ready!
Aaliyah and Dior sat in the same section, waiting for their names to be called. The graduates and their families had to sit through five guest speakers, over 400 undergrad students, and over 1,000 graduate students.
“Aaliyah Banks, bachelor of science in computer information systems.”
“Dior Mancill, bachelor of social work, BSW.”
Everything said after or before their names was a blur. Dior and Aaliyah gave each other a hug and went in search of their families.
“Congratulations!”
Their heads snapped around. Dior just shook her head at Ashley racing over to her.
“Thank you, baby!”
Aaliyah watched the transaction and couldn’t help but feel slight jealousy. She missed her mother. She would’ve been so proud and pushing her every step of the way.
Eron stood back with Mal and Sincere chopping it up. They all went way back. It was always love and loyalty. They would sometimes do business together. Eron looked at Aaliyah’s face and immediately knew what she was thinking about.
“Congratulations, love.” Eron came up to Aaliyah, hugging her tight. “Baby, she is smiling down on you. Just be happy today. And fuck that nigga Calvin. He’s not your fucking daddy.”
Aaliyah just shook her head. “You right. I’m back.”
“All right. All right, break that shit up! Let me give my sister a hug!” Jamal exclaimed, knowing that if he didn’t, they would be under each other all day.
“Aww. Come on, bring it in, brother. You knew you were going to get a hug.”
“Uhh! Get the fuck on. Here, man!” Mal said, giving her one of two big Neiman Marcus bags.
“Oooohhhh!” Aaliyah couldn’t wait to open it, but they were only surrounded by grass. “Uhhh I guess I’ll just wait.”
Eron interrupted and said, “Baby, you remember Sincere?”
“Yeah, I do. How are you?” Even Aaliyah had to acknowledge that Sincere was fine.
“I’m good, gorgeous. Congratulations on your accomplishments.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it!”
Dior came over, walking with her cousin and appearing to be so happy. “Aaliyah, I wanted to give you a second to talk to your boo, but this is my cousin Ashley.”
“Hi, Ashley, it’s good to meet you.”
“It’s good to meet you too, Ms. Aaliyah. I hear great things, and congratulations are in order. I wish you much success.”
“Thank you much.”
Dior looked up at Mal. Watching the two look at each other you could see that there was something big in the making. Mal walked up to Dior.
“Congratulations,” Mal said, hugging her and handing her a big Neiman Marcus bag.
Dior was shocked. Mal had just given her some money this morning. They even rode to the graduation together. After they had sex, they talked more, getting to know more about one another. They had a late dinner and breakfast. Mal and Dior had plenty in common, and by the morning they both felt that this move was worth trying out. Dior pressed the issue that she didn’t want to rush.
“Thank you. I’ll open it later.”
“Okay, let’s take pictures,” Aaliyah announced. The group gathered around, posing for pictures. Everybody was genuinely happy for one another’s success. It was a joyous occasion. Some old friends mixed with some new friends and people just getting to know one another. Yeah, May 12 marked a great day.
* * *
“Wow!” Aaliyah was amazed at the lengths that Tina and Jackie went through to give her a barbeque in honor of her graduating college. There were streamers and banners congratulating Aaliyah. It was beautiful. There were napkins, cups, straws, tablecloths, everything with Aaliyah’s name on it. Jackie was the cook, straight down-South cooking. She was a master at anything that involved a kitchen. Here in Detroit, everybody fucked with “Motor City Soul Food.” It was great food, but if you had to choose between Jackie and Motor City, it would be a tough choice. Jackie cooked everything that she ever saw Aaliyah eat. The menu consisted of ribs, steaks, pork chops, chicken, burgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, dressing, yams, greens, and various desserts.
“Ma, I told you, y’all ain’t have to do all this, man.”
“Girl, shut up. I do what I want to for mine.”
Aaliyah couldn’t argue with that. It made her heart smile that she always felt love over at Eron’s mom’s house.
From day one, Tina was always nice, but she definitely said how she felt. She was a very pretty older lady. Her wisdom spoke her age, because she sure didn’t look it. Tina was a tiny woman, a brick house at four foot eleven. She had D-cup breasts, a slim waist, and a fat booty. Tina could easily pass for Eron’s older sister. Since Big E was working out heavily in the penitentiary, she too fell in love with the gym. Tina was all for Big E coming home to an even better wife.
“Damn, Ma, hi to you too,” Eron said, because when Aaliyah came around, he was a nonfactor. When Aaliyah and Tina first met and his mom liked her, he knew it was real, because Tina didn’t like anybody. It was cool because when she met Tina, she didn’t meet her as “Eron’s girl,” but Tina knew and voiced that it wouldn’t be long before they furthered their relationship. Eron and Aaliyah both knew she was right.
“Therrrreeeee goes my baby! Correction: my graduate baby!” Aaliyah turned to look Jackie in the face. Jackie was no slouch by a long shot. She was five foot four with full B-cup breasts, a slim waist, thick thighs, and a fat booty. Jackie had a youthful look to her, but don’t get it twisted. She’d let anybody know how she felt.
“Hey, Auntie baby!” Aaliyah hugged Jackie, looking over her shoulder. She saw Eron’s cousin looking with a look that held so much maliciousness.
Tierra was a young, miserable, money-hungry bitch. As soon as Aaliyah met her, she rubbed her the wrong way. Eron confirmed that he didn’t even trust her. He had love for her, but he didn’t trust her. The girl was always “hee-hee ha-ha-ing,” but something just didn’t sit right with Aaliyah about her. Yeah, I got to watch that bitch. Better safe than sorry.
“Thanks, Auntie Jackie. Y’all are the best.”
In walked Dior and Jamal into the backyard. Everybody looked shocked with Ashley and Sincere in tow. Sincere and Ashley knew most of the people since they were frequent visitors. No, he wasn’t as close as Eron and Mal, but he knew that they had his back and vice versa.
“Heyyyy, Dior!” Aaliyah said, hugging Dior, hoping to make her feel comfortable under everybody’s glare. Jamal didn’t really bring his females around his mama at all. Mal was even surprised by his own actions.
Dior spoke into Aaliyah’s ear, “Thank you.” Dior didn’t cower easily, but she was feeling overwhelmed by things appearing to be moving way too fast. She knew that she wouldn’t be meeting his mom so soon if she weren’t with the group coming together to celebrate Aaliyah’s graduation.
Jackie and Tina came over, hugging Sincere and Ashley. “How are my babies doing? He better be taking care of you!”
“Man, here you go! How y’all doing? I’ma just exit stage left. Eron, ride with me to the store right quick. We got to turn up!”
Eron shook his head as he wrapped up the conversation with his uncle on the other side of the backyard.
“Boy, bye! Now, who is this graduate? Congratulations, by the way.”
“Ma, this is my friend Dior. She’s Ashley’s cousin, and she goes to school with Aaliyah.”
Jackie and Tina looked at Mal blushing. “Well, it’s nice to me you, Ms. Dior. This bighead-ass boy is my son. You can call me Jackie. This is my sister, Tina, Eron’s mom. Please make yourself at home. I know you got to be good people, because they all acting funny.”
Dior immediately felt comfortable. “Thanks. It’s good to meet you lovely ladies. I got to be honest with you. Y’all are gorgeous. I swear y’all look like y’all one of us. We can hope.”
Jackie and Tina were all smiles. Mal just shook his head. “Ohhh, Lord, why you tell their hot ass that shit?”
“Boy, shut up,” Tina and Jackie said in unison, causing the group to chuckle. Tina winked at Dior. “A woman after our own heart.”
“Oh, niece.” Jackie turned toward Aaliyah. “Guess what Jackie had made?”
“What else did y’all do?”
“Jackie had somebody fill the iPod with a whole bunch of T.I. songs. Since that’s all our children like to listen to.”
Aaliyah’s face lit up, looking at Mal. He was already on the way to turn it on.
“Ohhh, your gifts are in the house, but you can get them later.”
Ashley chimes in. “What time y’all trying to go out?”
“I guess like eleven.”
It’s time to getting bricks out of that bag; put that scale back on the desk.
Everybody got to rapping along. The ladies were going word for word. These women didn’t really do the R&B thing. They liked hood niggas and hood music.
Eron and Sincere made it back quickly, setting the box of liquor and bags down, joining the party. People were well fed. Everybody was mingling, and drinks were flowing. Everybody was good. It was a gathering that people didn’t want to end, but everybody was also ready to separate so that the club could be shut down upon their entrance.
It was time to marry the game, and I said, “Yeah, I do.” If you want it, you gotta see it with a clear-eyed view.
Meek Mill would’ve been proud of the concert that Eron and Aaliyah put on in the car on the way to club. They were still feeling the effects of the dinks at the barbeque, so they were buzzing. Eron shifted the Yukon in and out of the lanes.
Eron turned the music down, causing Aaliyah to look at him like he was crazy. “Bitch, don’t kill my vibe.”
Eron laughed, “Dog! Who the fuck are you talking to? You know what? That smart-ass mouth is going to keep you from getting your gifts.”
Aaliyah’s eyes damn near bulged out of her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Nah, fuck that! You good!”
“Come on. I’ll suck yo’ dick!” Aaliyah giggled, mimicking the movie Menace II Society.
“Don’t make me whip this muthafucka out.”
“Come on. Please! Give me my gift.”
“Quit whining, li’l nigga. It’s in the glove box.”
Aaliyah damn near ripped the glove compartment to shreds. “Yes, I like little blue boxes.” She opened the boxes of a medium Tiffany Somerset toggle bracelet in sterling silver and Tiffany solitaire diamond earrings in platinum.
“Aww, baby. This stuff is beautiful, but you’ve made my graduation day great. I don’t need anything else.” Sometimes Aaliyah would get overwhelmed by all the things Eron did for her. Aaliyah appreciated everything he did but didn’t want him to feel like he had to.
The thing about Eron was that he didn’t want to run Aaliyah’s life. He wasn’t the type who needed to feel like a man by making sure his woman needed him for every move she made. This was what Aaliyah loved the most about Eron. He never attempted to hinder her and only helped her to be her best. What kind of man do you know who tells his woman to prepare for life without needing a man, including him? That was a real nigga. Nope, that was a real man. The streets helped raise him, but that was Big E’s son all day long.
“Aaliyah, what did I tell you about telling me what to do and what not do for my woman? I’ll always do and give you what I feel like you deserve. You just graduated college, baby. That shit ain’t normal coming from where we come from. You had all the odds against you. You could’ve taken a different route, but you didn’t. Listen, real talk, you don’t have to work, but you been working and grinding since I met you. That shit sexy. I get turned on seeing you do homework and shit. You’re different. You’ll get anything and everything from me.”
Aaliyah was left speechless. She didn’t even realize that they were pulling up behind Mal’s navy blue Charger. Eron watched Aaliyah hurrying up to hop out of the car. Aaliyah smiled because Eron would always cower away after saying something soft. He waited at the front of the car, talking to Dior and Mal as the valet opened the passenger-side door for Aaliyah.
Aaliyah stepped out of the car, loo
king fierce. Graduation night it’s only right that you look the part. She was wearing a white fitted crop top, fitted distressed ripped jeans, and tan Steve Madden booties with studs all over them. She accessorized with a Bella Ecienna body chain that started out as a necklace then fell down between her breasts and wrapped around her waist inside of her belt loops. The body chain could give any outfit life. The outfit was topped off with the graduation cap.
The group walked toward Aaliyah to head into the club.
“Look at you, Ms. Dior!” Dior was looking nothing short of fantastic. Dior wore a tight body con Pepsi blue dress with silver accessorizes and black Christian Loubotins on her feet. Of course, the graduation hat set it off. It was the real star of the show.
“Why thank you. I must admit that you guys make a handsome-looking couple.”
Eron was always simple. He wore all black: black Gucci tee, pure black True Religion jeans. On his feet, he wore black Gucci sneakers and the red and green belt with the silver G buckle. Eron rubbed his goatee jokingly. “You know how I do! I’m just trying to look like this rich guy.” He looked at Mal.
“Man, here you go, dog.” Mal chuckled. “Dog, come on. We got some celebrating to do.” Mal was dressed in all white. He wore a polo shirt, True Religion jeans, a Ferragamo belt, and red with white Ferragamo sneakers. In Detroit, niggas always made sure their belt and shoe game was on point.
The outside of the club resembled a car show. Niggas were in everything from foreign whips to old-school Chevy Caprices. That was one thing about Detroit: when you came out into the nightlife, you better pull out the big-boy toys. The line was wrapped around to the side of the building. Detroit nightlife was something for everybody to experience.
“Congratulations to the graduates, y’all!” a voice from the line yelled.
Dior and Aaliyah looked back, not knowing at first who said it, but they quickly spotted a woman who clearly had been drinking waving her arms in the air. Nonetheless, a compliment was a compliment, and it was well appreciated.
“Thank you!”
“Thanks!” Dior chuckled. “Shit we need to get like her.”
The group made their way into the club. Eron and Mal slapped fives with the bouncers, heading straight to the VIP section of the club. The club was doing numbers. It was always packed though. Shoulder to shoulder. It was the type of crowd that would be unbearable if you didn’t have a booth in VIP. You probably wouldn’t have a good time otherwise. Apparently, the general admission club-goers didn’t think so. It was turnt all the way up! The knob was broke.