Free A Girl From Flint by Treasure Hernandez Page A

Joe.
    Damon screamed at Tasha. “What the fuck is you doing riding with this nigga?”
    â€œWhat are you yelling for? Don’t be coming over to my damn house causing no drama. I am not your chick.”
    Joe walked over and stood beside Tasha, and put his arm around her. “What the fuck is up?” he asked, standing toe to toe with Damon. Joe lifted his shirt and showed Damon his gun.
    Damon realized he had come unprepared. He looked at Tasha. “Fuck it!” he said, walking away. “We gon’ handle this later.”
    Joe turned to Tasha. “What the fuck was that? That’s your man?”
    Tasha didn’t have time for another nigga to be trying to check her. She walked away shaking her head, and then disappeared into the house with Amra right behind her.
    After that little situation, Tasha stopped fucking with Damon and barely felt like dealing with Joe. She liked Joe a lot, but she didn’t know if she was ready for what he was ready for. It was obvious that he wanted her to be more than just a friend, and Tasha felt she was too young to be tied down. She wanted to do what she wanted to do without having to explain herself to anyone. She knew that Joe wasn’t like Damon. He wouldn’t take any bullshit, and she didn’t want to disrespect him by even assuming that he should. She still talked to Joe sometimes, but she was focusing on her graduation and decided to keep things with him on a friendly level.
    A couple of weeks before graduation, Ms. Pat came into Amra and Tasha’s room and said, “Have you girls picked out something to wear to graduation yet? You’ve got to let me know, so I can give you the money to go buy it.”
    â€œI got to talk to you about that, Ma. You too, Tasha.” Amra sat on the edge of her bed.
    Ms. Pat and Tasha were all ears as they focused their attention on Amra.
    â€œI’m not graduating,” she said, her eyes down.
    â€œWhat!” Ms. Pat said, “What do you mean, you are not graduating?”
    Tasha was in disbelief. I knew that she didn’t like school, but I didn’t know that she was failing.
    Ms. Pat just shook her head. “You know what? You are about to be eighteen. You both are. Now Tasha has a future, but you . . . I don’t know. It’s in your own hands now. But I’ll tell you one thing. You are not about to be living up in here for free if you ain’t going to school, so after graduation, let me know what it’s going to be.” With those words, Ms. Pat left the room.
    Tasha looked at Amra. “I’m sorry, Amra. Don’t worry about that shit. You can get your GED.”
    Amra appreciated Tasha’s understanding and support. She knew she had fucked up, and the last thing she needed was someone telling her how bad her life was going to be.

    Three weeks later, Tasha sat on the football field in her white cap and gown. I can’t believe I made it! I’m finally here!
    â€œTasha Parks.”
    Tasha heard her name being called, and she stood up to get her diploma. She walked across the stage and heard applause from the crowd. It was truly the proudest moment in her life.
    After the ceremony, she walked over to Amra, who had tears in her eyes. Even though Amra did not share the stage with Tasha, she was still proud of her friend’s accomplishment. “Congratulations!” she said as she gave Tasha a hug. “I have a surprise for you, so close your eyes.”
    Tasha put one hand over her eyes.
    â€œOkay, you can look.”
    She turned around expecting to see flowers or some type of gift, but instead, she saw Honey looking as beautiful as ever. “Oh my God! B!” Tasha screamed as she jumped up and down with her friend.
    Honey hugged Tasha. “Yo, it’s been a long time. You did it, girl! You graduated! You ready to leave this stankin’-ass city alone? I told you I was gon’ keep my promise.”
    Amra joined their