"I can't believe it, look at you!" Stephen expressed.
"Why you can't believe it? You didn't have faith in your own son or something?" Gabriel questioned.
"Always had the faith, just never thought I'd live to see the day. My son, Gabriel Quarterman, a high school graduate. I know your mother would be proud if she were here."
"Really Dad, you bring her up, of all times?" Gabriel smile dwindle a bit with the thought of his mother crossing his mind during his special day.
Gabriel Quarterman, affectionately known as "G'" by many among family, friends, and runners in the streets, is a now 18 years old kid, hailing from Harlem, NY. His mother, Marilyn Thompson, last known as a airline stewardess, whom she met Gabriel's father, Stephen midst a flight and gave birth to the baby boy. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out between the two now-former lovers, Marilyn ultimately abandons her family and defects on her own. Not much is disclosed to Gabriel of the incident, but was never really questioned. But the news swept the streets of the A.K. projects among the kids his age and the "motherless child" teases followed suit. This in turn brooded the rage inside him, conflicted with his outer emotions, G' found him-self often in trouble in school, the community parents and at times, the law. For a single father, Stephen raised his son to the best of his capabilities. Though there were more difficult and disappointing times than happy memories, Stephen made sure G' was loved and always had the best opportunities in life. And as almost every boy's aspiration in New York City, basketball became the mecca of the lives who swarm to The Rucker, The Cage, The Dyckman worlds of basketball sanctuaries. Almost on every block, if there wasn't a basketball court in the playground, there was a kid working on his/her handles on the way to one. So the dream had chosen G' to be the next baller to rise through the ranks. From a solo participant, to recreation, all the way through intermediate school and high school. G' had excelled at the game of basketball as it been his lifelong passion. Basketball was the lion tamer that Stephen desperately needed. Seeing his son take to it like fish in water, he exposed Gabriel to every espect of the sport as he could, which led to untapped potential to be throttled by the young gangs and dealers that tended to take over parks as their "illegal station". Stephen and Gabriel moved to White Plains, New York, where G' had attended Archbishop Stepinac High School. For three years straight, G' was named Player of the Year, winning All-City Basketball tourneys, but couldn't capture the elusive All-State Championship. But the dream continued, with or without a mother...
I know, and I'm sorry. I just know the mother in her would've been happy to see you all grown up and graduating. I'm sorry this isn't the biggest turnout for your graduation-"
"Hey, come on, as long as you showed up, I couldn't be more happier." G' interjected.
"Oh, I would never missed this for the world son." Stephen pats G' on the back with a big smile. "I'm so proud of you son."
"Thanks, Dad."
One of G's varsity teammates, Cory Sampson, pulled up on G's flank. "Yooo! What's up my guy? Congrats, we finally made it outta here!"
"Yeah man, about time. I'm not going to hold you, I never want to see this place again. Especially Ms. Esperanza."
"Man, tell me about it! She's always on my case for getting to class late. Nobody understands me about this lockers being rigged man. I literally had to ask a janitor to jimmy my locker two weeks ago." Cory whined about before acknowledging Stephen. "Oh, what's up Mr. Q?! Good to see you, sir!"
"It's Mr. Quarterman, not Q. Nevertheless, congratulations Cory on walking the stage."
"Thanks Mr. Q, means a lot!" Cory smirks as Stephen grimed with the side-eye roll. "Yo, so hey, me and the boys are gathering at my place to celebrate. Honeys and food, it's always a nice combination. Amirite? Amirite?"
Stephen clears his throat with the concerned expression on his face. "I hope this party of yours has supervisors to maintain things, Cory?"
"Oh, yeah, yeah, my parents will be there. They sprung this idea last weekend, I've been getting the word out."
"Wait, how come I'm just finding out about it?" G' asked.
"Hey man, it's not like you're the last to know. Just wanted to make sure there was a party for the life of the party to come to!"
Stephen looks at G' as if he had some explaining to do if there were some unknown adventures, but G' just shrugged in glance.
"So, you mind if I go?" G' asking Stephen for his blessing.
"I think you're well passed the age of asking for my permission for a frivolous party, now that you're a graduate and all. I'm assuming no beer will be there, party is supervised. You boys have fun."
"Cool Pops, thanks."
"Yeah, Pops, cool!" Cory added.
"Just to be safe, I'll hang around a bit and talk to Mr. & Mrs. Sampson, I haven't seen them in a while, a nice little visit won't hurt."
"Really, Dad?"
"No worries, if everything checks out, I'll make my exit. Just want to make sure it's nothing too out of control."
"Awh, don't worry!" Cory single-arm hugs G'. "We and the boys gonna have a blast! The Westchester party of the century!"
"That's what I'm afraid of..." Stephen rebutted.
The graduation ceremony was pretty much wrapped up and people were making their exit after parlaying amongst themselves. Stephen checked his watch for the time. "So kid, you sticking around here, catch some of your schoolmates?"
"Uh, yeah. I'ma hang around for a few. I'll catch a ride with Cory here since the party is at his place."
"Sounds good. Okay son, I won't parade any longer. Be sure to be safe out here and text me on your way home."
"Will do." G' gave his father a hug once more. "Oh, you mind handling this?" He passes on his diploma to Stephen's care.
"Gladly. You lose this, your ass doing another 12 years." Stephen jested.
"Yeah, nah, we off that!"
Stephen departed the party of three, leaving the two bandits to scheme. Cory appeared to be looking around for someone to G's curiosity.
"Who you looking for?"
"More like, who I'm avoiding."
"Who?"
"Shantay." Cory disclosed.
"Wait, Shantay with the big ass? Or the one with the big ta-tas?"
"Ta-tas? What is this? 3rd grade? Yes her. Brace face been hounding me since prom bro. She just won't lay off."
"Man, that girl into you like that? You better tackle that. You know those "ugly ducklings" be glowing up like crazy.
"Man, forget all that. That drool face behemoth is the last person I want to be around right now. She violated at the prom."
G' took a mental flashback of what happened at prom night, impromptu a burst of laugh. Cory wasn't too pleased with Gabriel laughing at his woe. "Don't you dare utter a word about it, G'."
"Uh oh, speak of the devil.."
Cory looked in the direction G' was looking, spotting Shantay.
"Heeeeeeeyyyy Boooooooo!!!"
Shantay barges her way through the crowd towards the two, some stepping in the way of her, letting Cory frantically make his haste exit. "Yo, I gotta go!"
"What about my ride?"
"Nah! Nah, I gotta go! Meet me at the crib at 9! Make sure she doesn't follow me!"
Left in disarray, G' turned his attention to incoming Shantay. Shantay was a hefty girl, had a bit of curve, but her appeal orbited around her ample chest. She couldn't have been no smaller than a 36JJ, but had the face of a french bulldog. Huffing and out of breath from searching high and low for Cory, she quickly grilled Gabriel.
"Gabby! Where's Cory? I know he was here! I heard him. He's always hanging around you!"
"First off, catch your breath. Secondly, my name is not Gabby, and I don't know what you're talking about. I was here with my Dad this whole time."
"So, where is he? Your Dad?"
"He just left. I hung back, but I'm actually about to leave my-self."
"You see Cory, you make sure to tell him to call me! I'm not playing with you!"
"Alright, you got it. I'll see to it he get the message." G' smugged a fake smile like a politician caught red handed as Shantay barrelled down the hall.
"Oh, this is way too good..."
Just as G' was about to make his exit off the premises, a stark baritone voice shouted out to him. "Gabriel! Gab! Hold up for a second."
Turning his attention to the caller revealed his varsity coach, Coach Gaines. "What's up Coach?"
"Congrats on the graduation, son. Just wanted to say how proud I am to have had a student-athlete like you under our banner these past four years."
"I appreciate that, thank you for giving me the opportunity. I know wasn't the easiest person to get along with, but-"
"But nothing. You're a damn fine young kid, who just needed a nudge in the right direction and don't let it be nothing else."
"You got it. Didn't expect you to be hanging around for this."
"Well, giving that it's my gym, can't let these honky-dorries scratch up my beautiful hardwood."
"You really paid for the new hardwood? Thought the "big wigs" on the board handle that?"
"Hell with them. They was allocating money everywhere but the auditorium. New bleachers, equipment, floor, all me."
"... On a high school salary?" an unbelieving G' asked.
"Nope. That's for me to know and you to never coerce your-self into faculty business."
"Fair enough. But hey, it's been good talking to you, thank you for everything, but I'ma get going."
"Okay, hold on a sec. Here's what I'm really here for." Coach Gaines hands G' an white unmarked envelope. A bit hesitant, G' opens the envelope, pulling out a card and a pre-loaded debit card. Opening the card, G' reads the note inside.
"To the grandest athlete I've ever had the pleasure to coach, and the most unruliest student to tried my patience. I award thee, Gabriel Quarterman, for his excellence in teamwork, hard work, sportsmanship above showmanship. Not only you were a great player, but an even greater locker room presence. Thank you for bringing our school and team a successful tenure. May you enjoy this departing care package of $5,000- $5,000?!?!" Gabriel shouted.
"Yep. You earned it kiddo."
"Wait, hold up, I can't accept this. I did nothing for this and this is way too much."
"Don't sweat it. Everyone got a small piece of the action for $8,000. You, on the other hand, get a big piece of the pie. You brought us recognition, titles and fame. We've never had a athlete like you before. Those fans that filled up the bleachers, they came to see you. Even the ones that packed in the doorways when we were over capacity, for you. Aside from the seniors before you, the juniors, sophomores and freshmen stayed on the team because of you. Many of them wanted to quit and do something else, but you lit a fire in their bellies to never give up. And those scouters? Man, there was so many of them. You'd think LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony was here. But you built a lot of buzz around your-self, it's crazy you never even acknowledge it. Your face was even in the newspaper! Who even read those things anymore?"
"Coach, what am I supposed to do with all this money?"
"Do whatever you want. Buy some fancy Jordans, buy a new console, a bike, go out and get you a grand meal or something, whatever your heart desires."
"How you even-"
"Uh-uh! Faculty. Business." Coach Gaines reiterated.
"Thanks, Coach."
"I gotta ask. Have you given any thought where you want to go? College, I mean."
"I haven't verbally committed to anywhere just yet." G' answered.
"There's many school out there that are clamoring to have you, but don't let the opportunity to go to a great school slip by. Scholarships are limited."
"I'll keep that in mind coach, I understand how important it is to pick a good school. Just haven't given thought of journey I wish to take until you brought it up."
"Well, wherever you decide to go to, I'm rooting for you, Quarterman."
"Glad to know you'll always be in my corner." G' shook Coach Gaines' hand with a sturdy grip and made his way with $5,000 in tow.
With a diploma secured, and a lump sum of money, G's school daze were finally over. Keeping in mind of what his coach had pierced his mind with, scouts were lurking and destined to reach out. A basketball player of his caliber wasn't one to overlook, except he him-self. But with the future so close, yet so far away, G's attention adverted to this impromptu graduation party at Cory's. You know what they say, honeys and food is always a good combination...