As graduation day approached, I couldn't wait for the whole thing to just be over and done with. I was so tired of the boring daily grind of school that, at this point, it was nothing more than a bureaucratic dotting of the I's to get me through to completion. I had more than enough credits to graduate and was just putting in the requisite time required by the school board.
My workload had been increasing dramatically. Mable was continually adding new clients and that in itself was enough to keep me hopping. What neither of us had accounted for though was the general word-of-mouth being passed around by my enthusiastic clients. I was quickly overwhelmed with work.
Mable and I put our heads together and came up with an equitable employee presentation to bring John in as a junior partner. We wanted to make sure he would be adequately compensated for his efforts as well as add to the general business coffers of Jamble. John was enthusiastic and, as he would be completely at liberty after graduation, was available and more than ready.
We began by taking him along on both types of client meetings, from the first where the initial setup occurred to the monthly maintenance. John was an apt pupil and already had the knowledge and computer experience to get the work done in a timely and efficient manner. He was also very personable which was a tremendous asset as well.
When I informed Mom that I had no intention of participating in the graduation ceremony, and that it felt like a colossal waste of my time, she was completely crestfallen. Moments later, Mable grasped my arm rather forcefully and led me into what was now our bedroom. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed, her eyes flaring with anger once we were alone. I was immediately taken aback as she had never before expressed even the slightest form of anger toward me.
"What? What did I do?" I stammered, completely at a loss.
"Didn't you see the look on your Mother's face just now?" She demanded. "What the hell is the matter with you? Don't you realize that graduation is not all about YOU? It's never about the students at all. It's ALL for the proud parents who've spent the better part of their existence wanting the best for their children."
I nodded thoughtfully as my selfishness suddenly dawned on me. Mom had always said that I would be the first of her family to ever graduate from high school; she herself had never done it, having dropped out in her senior year.
"Oh, my God, you're right," I admitted, my face warming with embarrassment.
Mable smiled and I was incredibly relieved to see the anger dissipate from her countenance. "Trust me," she said, taking me in her arms. "We're going to make this a fun event for all of us. I promise you, you won't regret it. Leslie and I have been making plans for several days now."
I was moderately surprised by Mable's heightened sense of excitement for my graduation, and I could readily see the pride and enthusiasm in her eyes. So, for as much as I maintained a complete ambivalence about the whole thing, I knew I would be letting both women down if I did not participate wholeheartedly.
Mom would have been there regardless, for John. Beyond the constant sexual attraction, she had for him, she had developed a genuine affection for him as well. After that first date night we spent together, John had managed only one more sleepover. His parents had clamped down on his extracurricular gaming activity as graduation neared, wanting to make sure he had the requisite credits to graduate.
Mom and John managed to supplement any sleepovers with a few afternoon trysts, entertaining Mable and me with loud and passionate sounds of enthusiastic sex from beyond Mom's bedroom door as Mable and I worked on my client calendar.
On the afternoon of graduation day, the four of us were together at the house. Mom and Mable looked over the graduation program, which enumerated the proper etiquette for picture taking (where parents were lined up to take photographs singly as each student received their diploma, rather than rushing the stage en masse). And as well, listing the time and place for the reception, following the ceremony, for everyone to mingle.
"Are we all going to the reception as well?" Queried Mom with a raised eyebrow.
I shrugged, "I hadn't really thought about it."
"Yeah, man...we should go," said John with a wide grin. "Can you imagine the look on people's faces when we arrive with these beautiful ladies on our arms?"
I laughed and nodded, thinking it might indeed be fun at that to see the looks we would get.
"If you'll have me as your date," said Mable, batting her eyelashes rapidly with a flirtatious smile as she slipped her arm around mine, "I would certainly love to go."
"Then it's settled," smiled Mom, tossing aside the program. "We can start with the graduation ceremony and then maybe go out for a nice celebratory dinner somewhere, before dropping by the reception. We don't have to stay long, just put in an appearance to see what it's all about."
John embraced Mom and they kissed lovingly. "I want you to wear something really sexy tonight," he smiled, his forehead against hers. "I want to hear jaws hitting the floor when they see how beautiful and sexy my date is."
Mom giggled almost girlishly. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea with your parents in attendance," she said.
"They'll only be at the ceremony...and not at the reception," he said with a wink.
"In that case," said Mom with an arched eyebrow, "I think I can probably manage a little bit of sexiness for you."
"Yes," I agreed with an enthusiastic nod toward Mable. "That little black dress you modeled for me the other day would be perfect."
Mable laughed, "Perfect?" She retorted, "Perfectly slutty you mean." When Mom cocked an eyebrow, Mable continued. "It's a little black, halter-style dress, backless...and shows a fair amount of cleavage."
"Nice," said Mom with a smile, "I can't wait to see it. I have something a little similar, it might be fun to dress a little what alike, don't you think?"
"I like it a lot," smiled Mable, "At least I won't be the only one looking like a tart at the reception."
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It was decided that John and I would go together in Mom's car, while Mom and Mable would follow in Mable's vehicle. John and I had to get there earlier to go through the rehearsal process.