We laughed together and cried together, but mostly we survived together. Those bonds have endured even to today. Now he's gone. He's the unofficial black godfather. Folks call him 'Mr. Tom' because he's the only one of us who owns a business in town.
Power strikes fear in their thoughts.
His memories of the dark suited Italian godfathers in Detroit, commanding respect out of fear, were still vivid enough in his mind to clarify her statement. Even the white folks recognize his power. When they want something handled with any of the blacks, they call on Mr. Tom. She sounded as disgusted as the expression on her face displayed. Kerish put his hands on the edge of the table and pushed himself away.