Chapter 3: Enjoying the Moment
"Thanks babe." I said as Bobby finished tying my tie.
"No problem." He answered adjusting the knot and giving it a final pat. This was it, in a couple of hours we would no longer be in high school. We headed downstairs, with our caps and gowns in tow. Bobby's parents, his grandmother, his mom's sister, and Emily were gathered around waiting to head to graduation. After exchanging a little small talk we headed to meet the graduation coordinator, Mrs. Apple. She was the home-economics teacher and very organized and task oriented. She was a plump woman in her late fifties. Her short graying black hair stopped at her ears. She had us lined up by height almost as soon as we entered the gym. I glanced forward at Bobby and saw his disappointment that we would not be standing in line together.
She had us practice sitting in our seats and standing up in unison as our row needed to head towards the stage. Thankfully, Bobby was in my row and only a few people away. When Mrs. Apple was satisfied that we could follow directions she let us mingle on our own. Bobby started brushing on the places that my gown hung when I pulled it over my head. I helped him with his as it stuck on his back. We had matching gold stoles and tassels, a testament to the hard work that we had put in this year. If it weren't for Bobby, I don't think I would have put forward the effort needed to graduate with honors. Katie and Billy joined us while Bobby adjusted my mortar board until he was satisfied. Mrs. Apple broke the friendly banter with an announcement.
"Alright everyone move to the foyer." We all filed out into the foyer and the adjoining hallway to get lined up. Family and friends of the graduating students filled up the small gymnasium and at precisely seven Mrs. Apple announced it was time. Music was playing as we marched into the gym to claim our assigned seats before sitting in unison. I caught a brief glimpse of my mom, her sister my Aunt Carolyn, and a man I didn't recognize, maybe her boyfriend, and then my Uncle Charlie. They were seated next to Bobby's family which made me smile. I suppressed my sadness at the fact that my father didn't show, I was hoping he would, but I wasn't expecting any miracles.
The principal gave a boring speech about our accomplishments. A business man, who was apparently a very successful former student, gave the commencement address and tried to motivate us to live up to our potential. Our class valedictorian, Angela Almond, gave a speech that included Merriam-Webster definitions that had many heads drooping at her uninspired soliloquy. Finally our class president and resident class clown Tommy Whitestone had us energetic and laughing with personal stories and high jinks that had happened throughout the school year. Tommy received a rousing round of applause when he finished and the time had come. The first row of students stood and lined up to mount the stage and shake the principal's hand as the names were called and receive their diploma. Our row was last as we were some of the taller kids in our grade.
Finally our turn to stand came as the row in front of us slowly reclaimed their vacated seats. We uniformly walked to the stage. I watched as Bobby climbed the steps and heard the principal say his name. I heard the applause; I even heard one of my Uncle Charlie's wolf whistles, the kind where he used his fingers to make an amplified whistle. Bobby's face flushed red with embarrassment, but he was smiling broadly, and I couldn't help but grin at my uncle's support for Bobby. It was surreal when I heard my name called and walked to shake the principal's hand and receive my diploma. I registered the cheers, again hearing Uncle Charlie's whistle, this time I heard a cat call, and I think it was from Bobby's Grandma, and I couldn't help but grin at the thought. It took some maneuvering, but as we headed back to our seats I managed to sit beside Bobby. He grinned broadly at me and stealthily grasped my left hand in his right. I knew that wherever Mrs. Apple was she would not be happy if she had seen me mixing up her perfectly organized line.
Tommy, our class clown/president had sneaked in and handed out poppers that would shoot streamers into the air. A majority of the students had them and when the announcement was made that we had graduated, the applause were drowned out by a slurry of pops and streamers and our graduation caps soared into the air, before gracefully falling to the ground. The crowd erupted after seeing the spectacle that showered down on the newly graduated class.
Bobby and I joined our families who expressed their congratulations. Bobby and I were having a small graduation party for family and friends. We would also have to make appearances at a handful of others throughout the night. Bobby and I pulled off our gowns and headed to the student parking lot for the final time. It was bittersweet. I was glad to move on to a new chapter in my life. It was a little sad leaving the place that I had gotten to know my Bobby so well. If he hadn't moved here I would never have met Bobby. He was perfect, patient, fun, loving, and best of all he was handsome. I noticed the water filling in the pools of his blue eyes before he looked away and out the window, giving the school a final look.
"I love you Bobby." I said reaching out for his hand. He looked at me and smiled before intertwining his fingers with mine. He used his right hand to discretely wipe the moisture from his eyes as we headed home.
"I love you Robbie." Bobby smiled, reaffirming our love for each other. We parked in the grass beside the road because the driveway was full of cars. There was a large 'Congratulations Bobby & Rob' banner hanging in view as we entered the front door. The small gathering smiled and applauded as we went in to mingle with our friends and family.
"I'm so proud of you Rob." My mom said as she pulled me into a hug. "Your dad was in khakis before he changed his mind." The sadness was evident in her voice. "Give him time Rob, I think he'll come around." She held me tight before releasing to go give Bobby a hug. Aunt Carolyn followed with a hug, but only exchanged a polite handshake with Bobby as this was their first meeting. Uncle Charlie was more exuberant; he reached Bobby first and lifted him into a hug. He tried the same with me, but I'm almost his size and he settled for a suffocating hug.
"I want you both to meet someone." Charlie excitedly informed us as he motioned for a man to join us. The man was about Bobby's height at five foot ten inches. He had short black hair and big chocolate brown puppy dog eyes. He was clean shaven and slender as he approached us. "Timmy this is my nephew Rob and his boyfriend Bobby. Rob, Bobby, this is my friend Tim." I think I caught Uncle Charlie flash Bobby a wink. Bobby was grinning as we exchanged handshakes with Tim before they headed off to join the other party goers. Bobby and I eventually made appearances at the other graduation parties before coming home to pack for our week at the beach.
*
Eleven of us met at the diner for breakfast before we headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for beach week.
"You better enjoy your time off." Shirley laughed as she dropped off two trays loaded down with food.
"Oh I will." I rebuffed as my plate was placed in front of me. Breakfast was finished quickly and we were all eager to get to our beach house for the week. Bobby and I were riding with Billy and Katie, Becky and two other cheerleaders were behind us in the next car. Two guys from the track team and two from the football team followed in one of their Jeeps, completing the caravan.
We were making good time but pulled into the Border Station, a gas station/convenience store that was half in Virginia, half in North Carolina.
"What's with the Steelers bumper stickers?" Bobby asked noticing two cars with North Carolina plates that were showing their Pittsburgh pride. I looked around and noticed a few cars with Redskins stickers and magnets.
"I dunno Bobby." I answered. "This is normally Redskins territory, but those Steelers fans are everywhere, you can't get away from 'em." Bobby laughed as we headed in to use the restroom. Bobby and I were getting fountain drinks and I noticed a Redskins magnet by the register and bought it before we headed outside. Billy grinned as he saw me place the magnet on the back of his car, nodding his approval.
We pulled into our beach abode and it was awesome. We saved some money by getting a house that wasn't on the beach, but we were right across the road from it. The awesome part was the lot across from us was empty with just a public beach access. We could see the ocean and beach from the decks of the house. We drew straws for bedrooms and thankfully Bobby and I got a room together with a full sized bed. There was one room that had two sets of bunk beds, while Bobby and I were accustomed to sharing little beds, we didn't want to have to share the room with other people.
