I sat in the auditorium listening to the speech the valedictorian of my graduating class was giving. Because we sat in alphabetical order, my seat was in the front row. Our class was two hundred forty-three strong.
The school was private and co-ed. As my parents had, my sister Deanne, Dee to her friends and family, and I attended the exclusive school. In fact, our grandparents and my parent's siblings all went to school at Hartford Academy. I wanted to go to another school, but my father wouldn't hear of it. He felt it was important that my sister and I continue the family tradition.
Deanne and I were born eleven months apart. Due to my failing the fifth grade, we were in the same class. My father hired a tutor for me to improve my grades and attitude. It was at that point I realized there wasn't anything I could do to change my dad's mind about the schools I would attend. From then on, I worked hard to get good grades. My sister helped me after Dad terminated the tutor. Over the next few years, Deanne and I studied together.
Once the speeches ended, the headmaster stood at the microphone. He started reading the names from his list. One by one, we went to the stage to receive our diplomas. After the last student received his diploma, we all tossed our caps in the air while cheering and clapping.
Deanna and I found our caps after the foray and put them on. She smiled at me and said, "Well, four more years."
"I hope college is better than high school was," I said. Placing my hand on my sister's back, I guided her toward the exit.
Outside, we greeted our parents. They congratulated Deanne and me on our graduation. Our Aunt Juliet and Uncle Bert, along with our cousins, Larry and Sandy were there too. They also offered their congratulations. Like Dee and I, Larry and Sandy went to Hartford. Sandy graduated the year before, Larry two years ago.
We went to one of my parent's favorite restaurants for an early dinner. Sitting in a private room, we discussed Dee's and my years at Hartford as well as our future. My father insisted we spend the next four years at a private business school.
My father and Aunt Sandy inherited a successful business from their parents. The company had been in the family for many years. When we finished college, Dee and I would become the fifth generation to work for, and eventually take over the business, along with our cousins.
After finishing our meal, Dee and I sat with Larry and Sandy. Our parents were enjoying an after-dinner drink with their coffee.
"So, how do you guys like Carrington?" Dee said.
Carrington Institute, like Hartford, was a private school. The business school's alumni included some of the most successful businessmen and women in the country. The program focused on their accelerated business program.
"I like the school. It's hard work, but by going year-round, we can get our MBA in four years," Sandy said.
"How about the social life? Is there any?" I said.
"Yes, there are a lot of things to do when you're not attending classes of studying. There are parties most weekends. Most of the people there are cool. Like Hartford, there are spoiled brats, but not as many," Larry said.
"Some of my friends are paying their own way or get scholarships," Sandy said.
Dee and Sandy excused themselves and headed for the restroom. I sat across from Larry and said, "So, how are the girls at Carrington?"
"Like anywhere else, there are hot chicks and dogs," Larry replied with a chuckle. "Going to a school where there are a couple thousand students is different from Hartford."
"I'm looking forward to it. How has it been living with Sandy? Dad said he bought a condo for Dee and me in the same complex. We'll get to see you guys more often," I said. "Maybe we should see if Dee and Sandy want to share one of the condos and we can have the other one. I plan to find a few girls to party with."
Larry nodded. "Living with my sister is the same as it was when we lived at home, except we don't have our parents there. We have an arrangement, so there are no problems when one of us brings someone home."
Dee and Sandy came back into the room. They were laughing and bumping into each other as they walked toward the table.
"What's so funny?" Larry said when our sisters sat down.
"Nothing really. I was just filling Dee in on the boys at Carrington," Sandy said.
I looked at my sister, returning her smile. For the next hour, Larry and Sandy told Dee and me about life in the small town where Carrington Institute was. They said there were nice parks as well as several great places to visit. Sandy mentioned the beaches were less than an hour from the condo complex.
Carrington Institute was located about six hundred fifty miles south of our Texas town. It was close enough that we could get home for a long weekend if we wanted to. I looked forward to the warm weather in Houston. Amarillo wasn't bad, but it got cold during the winter months.
Our great-grandfather started his business in the Amarillo area, serving the oil industry. It provided the derricks and other things drilling for oil required. In the past years, the company expanded, providing equipment for offshore drilling and exploration. Dad told my sister and me he planned to open a facility closer to the Gulf of Mexico to serve the offshore industry.
We left the restaurant. Before getting into our cars, we chatted about Dee's and my graduation party in two weeks. Mom wanted to rent a hall, but Dee and I convinced her we would prefer to have the party at our ranch. Our parents agreed provided we had the event catered.
Dee and I sat in the back seat of the Suburban as Dad drove home. The vehicle was often referred to as a Texas Cadilac. Dad's was loaded with all the options available. In addition to the Suburban, we owned two pickup trucks and a full-sized Lincoln.
Dad turned onto our road. A couple of miles later, he drove through the iron archway leading to our ranch. On the top of the arch was The Barrow Ranch in iron letters.
The thirty-five hundred-acre ranch had been in the family for several generations. While small by Texas standards, it was more than enough for our family. Our house sat near the center of the property with a three-quarter of a mile driveway from the main entrance.
We owned ATVs to ride around on the five and a half square mile property. There was a large pond as well as many trees on the ranch. My sister and I liked to swim and fish in the pond. We have a built-in swimming pool, but we also liked the pond.
As we neared the house, I noticed a vehicle parked near the garage. When we were close, I saw it was a new Suburban.
"Who's truck is that?" I said.
Dad parked next to the Suburban and opened his door. When Dee and I got out, he handed each of us a set of keys.
"We bought this for you to have at school. You'll need to have something to get around in," Dad said. "Your mom and I decided you two could share one vehicle because you have the same schedule."
"What if we want to go somewhere different?" Dee said.
"I'm sure you two will figure it out," Mom said.
I went to my bedroom to change. After taking care of my slacks and shirt, I put on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. Leaving my room, I went downstairs to the family room. While I searched for something to watch on television, Dee came into the room.
My sister flopped down on the other end of the couch. She propped her feet on a footstool and said, "What are we watching?"
"It doesn't matter to me. There isn't anything good on," I said. I tossed Dee the remote. "See if you can find something."
Dee flipped through the channels, settling on a movie. She dropped the remote on the cushion, leaning back to watch the show.
"It was cool of Mom and Dad to get us the truck for school, wasn't it, Greg?" Dee said.
"I think so. It will be great for us," I said. "Do you think we'll have a problem because we only have one vehicle?"
"I don't think so. We have classed at the same time so we can ride together. If you have a date, you can use the truck. If I have one, I'd hope he had his own car."
"Are you hoping to find a boyfriend?" I asked Dee.
Shrugging her shoulders, Dee said, "I kind of hope so. It was a pain dating the boys from Carrington. It was like everyone knew everyone's business. A girl had to be careful, or she'd get a bad reputation."
