Page 55 of Rue

“NO! I’m not doing that!”

“Blow the camera a kiss, Say. Jus’ do it.”

Growling, she turned and flipped the camera off.

Davon chuckled, shaking his head. “He’s gonna be pissed.”

Sailor didn’t respond, crossing her arms and hunkering in her seat.

The speech took forever, then there was another speech from the principal, then one from the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Finally, it came time to announce the students so they could walk the stage and get their diplomas, and Sailor was ready for it all to be over.

Her turn came and she went cold to her toes when she stepped to the edge of the stage and they announced her next.

“Sailor Rue Ruiz!”

She froze there, shaking her head in confusion.

“Go!” Davon hissed, pushing her from behind.

Sailor walked to the Dean, taking the paper with a trembling hand and shaking his hand, feeling sick.

What had he done?

Sitting back down to wait for everyone else, she felt light-headed. How had he had her name changed on her diploma? And why? Why have it changed to his last name?

When everyone stood and tossed their caps at the end, she pulled hers off and made a beeline for her mother.

Geo intercepted her less than halfway there, catching her arm and turning her, lifting her face to his with his fingertips as he leaned in and kissed her lips. Pulling back less than an inch, he spoke. “I got you a graduation present, Rue,” he rumbled, his voice low and almost indiscernible in the cacophony of cheering and shouting.

“Why did you have my name changed?!?” she asked, shaking her head. “This isn’t me!” she told him, lifting the diploma.

“It’s you,” he chuckled. “C’mon, we ain’t stickin’ around,” he told her, pulling her towards the exit, Mig right behind him.

“Can’t I hug my mom and…”

“Nah. Hush it for now, Rue. I ain’t hearin’ it,” he told her, pulling her more forcefully as she tugged away from him.

He lifted her into the car quickly, getting in with her as Mig got up front and started the car, pulling away without hesitating.

Sailor felt unnerved as she looked around. Was someone after them? Was there danger somewhere?

“You good?” Geo called up front to Mig after they were a few blocks away.

“Yeah… I’ll be fine. That shit’s finally kickin’ in.”

Geo turned to Sailor, his head back on the headrest as he looked her over.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him, confused.

“He don't like crowds. Too many people there, even next to the exit. Took too fuckin’ long too. That shit was stupid… four people all sayin’ the same shit with different words. Pshh. Never sittin’ through that bullshit again.”

“Unless it’s my own fuckin’ kid,” Mig agreed.

“Yeah,” Geo answered, looking Sailor over again. “Take all that shit off, Rue,” he told her, flipping the corner of her robes.

Sailor pulled the robes off, adjusting the white dress under it.

“We’re early,” Mig called back to Geo as they got off the highway.

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