Dear Readers, I know this has taken longer to post than I had previously admitted. Holidays, work, and other assorted RL issues had slowed what I had expected to be quick progress on this chapter. Also, there were some technical and timing issues for this chapter. I have a pet peeve about continuity and previously stated facts being contradicted in other forms of media, and thus I try to avoid such pitfalls myself (and I must admit that a few have slipped past even my eagle eye!). Certain bits of this chapter have been mentioned previously and I have tried to ensure the current chapter didn't negate or conflict with previous scenes. In addition, some parts I had in my head weren't so easily put down on electronic paper, the penultimate scene amongst them. I apologize for the delay, but will say that it takes as long as it takes. As always, send your comments, suggestions, and attractive female family members my way!
Thanks for reading!
Onedragon
Family and friends were coming into town from near and far, a few even from out of state for my graduation party in a few weeks. Unfortunately, there was a limited number of people that I could invite to the actual ceremony, even though it was going to be held at the nearby community college auditorium. I had had a tough time weeks ago whittling the number down to the eight seats that I had been allotted. Mom and dad of course. Jojo and Johnny didn't really care and would have been completely bored at a guy in a robe reading off a list of names, so they would stay with Mrs. Jones, our next-door neighbor. Grandma Sharon from mom's side, Grandma Norma and Grandpa Harold on my dad's side.
I asked Aunt Jessica and explained to her about my dilemma of limited seats, and as I hadn't even met Eric yet, I didn't want to add him. She told me that he would come to my party, but was fine about not being invited to the ceremony. That left two seats to fill with more than two family members from which to choose. Dad had a brother that he didn't get along with very well, but that had always been a great uncle to me. Uncle Mike had gotten remarried recently and I didn't really know his new wife, but he had a son, my cousin Dave, whom I had spent a lot of time with when I was younger (before Johnny and Jojo had come along!). That would have filled the last two spots, but dad also had an older sister, my Aunt Theresa.
She was the antithesis to my mother's sister. She was very loud, very opinionated, treated everyone as if they were beneath her, and she outweighed Aunt Jessica by at least a normal person and a half. I always hated whenever she visited, which fortunately hadn't been in a very long while. I had told mom that I didn't care if she didn't come to either of the events, the ceremony, or my party. Problem was that my Aunt Theresa was loaded. I mean, three houses (one a villa in France), a large yacht with a crew (sixty feet or so I think it was), garages with dozens of vehicles - loaded! She had gone through a few husbands, all of them very rich, and she had ended up very well-off. Even though I despised the woman, I knew that by inviting her to either event, that I could then expect a nice graduation check. Or I could invite her, she could send a check, and then not be able to attend! That would be the dream. There were also some more extended family members, some I knew better than others, but were of little consequence except for their obligatory cards (and checks!).
I did end up choosing Uncle Mike and my cousin Dave. Mike's new wife Rita would just come to my graduation party. They did live only a few hours away, so it wouldn't be as if they had to travel very far.
I woke the next morning, a Saturday, at the ungodly hour of seven a.m. I would finally officially be finished with high school!
Dad returned early from golfing, stating that he and Jack had only played nine holes instead of all eighteen. I almost felt that he might be as interested in my graduation as I. Mom was a nervous wreck, even though she really had nothing to do that day. Our out-of-town visitors had already arrived and were set up in a local motel. Mom and dad had settled the dilemma about their parents staying with us, as we didn't have room for all three so that to be fair, none of them would. Dad was more upset about it than mom, but maybe even also relieved.
The graduation ceremony would be just what I assumed it would be; a bunch of speeches about how awesome our future would be, then the calling of our names as we walked up to the stage, collected our diplomas, then sitting back down waiting for the rest of the class to receive theirs. I was excited but also prepared to be bored.
I left ahead of the rest of the family, driving myself to the community college. I met up with some friends, all of us teasing each other about the school-colored gowns we had to wear, before we were told what would happen and then ushered to take seats ahead of our families and visitors arriving. No one really stayed in his or her seats and we milled about chatting. I found Erin and gave her a hug and kiss as I congratulated her on our big day. She returned the greeting and made a joke about what I was wearing under my long gown with a sexy wink. I had never thought about trying something like that! Not that I would have even if I had thought of it. Today was too important for any sexual hijinks with Erin or mom. At least the ceremony would be, later on was a different matter! Her comment did make me wonder what she was wearing beneath hers though!
Then it was time for the event to take place and I found myself a little nauseous. The ceremony was just a formality, we had all already graduated; it was on our formal records that would follow us for the rest of our lives. Today was just for show, and to get a piece of paper that really didn't mean much. Not like a college degree would be hopefully one day.
It
was
boring.
The principal spoke. The class valedictorian spoke. The class president spoke. It went on and on.
I looked about and found my family watching raptly and was able to catch mom's attention. She gestured to the others to look and I gave them all a small wave.
Then came the litany of names. I expected alphabetical and was surprised when they started calling them out seemingly at random. Maybe it was to keep us alert and not chance someone falling asleep while they waited. It did work with me. I listened to each name called and would remember some incident or other with almost all my fellow classmates; the ones that I barely knew anyway. Friend's names were called and I mentally congratulated each one as I heard it. 'Good job Joe. Congrats Greg. Way to go Jake.' And on and on. When Erin's name was called, I couldn't contain myself and I cheered loudly. Others close to me gave me a strange look and I saw Erin give a smile on the stage as she took her rolled parchment.
My name was eventually called. Farther in the roll call then I had expected. I almost stumbled up the stairs because of the stupid damn gown! I shook the principal's hand and realized mine had been wet. I'm sure he got a lot of that that day. I waved to the crowd and returned to my seat. The guy next to me had to remind me about moving my tassel.
I was sitting on a cloud then!
I was a graduate!
Now that it was over, I just wanted to go home and celebrate. Or have sex with Jenny. Or both!
