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Soon, Bobby and I are sitting in a sea of chairs full of caps and gowns and a whole lot of blue After a long procession of naratulations passes, each of us have our turn to walk the stage

I feel the eyes of my fae like raphed dance of mine My chest bursts with pride when I accept raduating class back in our seats It’s a lot of hard work that pays off in a culmination of cheers, proud smiles from the audience, and a fancy bit of paper

In tiic words are spoken over the speaker, then the sky beco blue tassels, and screams that shake the heavens

When Bobby and I reunite with our friends and fa smiles on our faces Even from a distance, I can already see my mama and papa with my brother and Billy, and even Grandraduation Bobby’sunited over the years into one big mishmash of happiness, zaniness, and all kinds of craziness

“Joel and Mindy would’ve coratulations and a too-tight, bone-crunching hug, “but they’ve got their hands full with twins, Lord help them both Oh, and your little pen-pal buddy Toby says hi, by the way He starts his senior year at Spruce High in the fall That boy is Mr Tucker’s right-hand man, I swear He’s dao”

“He’s a good kid,” I say with a smile “Too bad Spruce is still full a’ little shitheads on’t leave him alone”

Tanner shakes his head “Don’t get h school careers were Shit, I’h school reunion last summer Lance even flew in for it—he cut his hair all short, lookin’ like some kind of Hollywood movie star—and that was an explosion in and of itself Phew! Oh, and speaking of Lance, did you know that he—?”

“Tanner, dang it!” co up a quick little convo with Bobby, interrupting whatever it wasyour brother! Jireets me cheerily, a warht I’d never see this day, that Jie I’m so damned proud of you”

“Is that a tear in your eye?” taunts my brother

Billy shoots hirats, Jimmy We’re all so proud of you”

I hug him back, then slap a hand on my man Bobby and pull hiettin’ h the hard times over the years Lord knoe’ve both had them”

Bobby lookswith pride and joy Then, with due attitude, he goes, “Better bet it was all because of me”