The Ages of Charming

Final Decision

Graduation day had finally arrived, I've spent all afternoon with Addie. Between getting things ready for the party after graduation and getting me fitted for a suit has been fun, I knew Addie was cool but never thought she was this cool.

Addie:"You've grown up on me Abe.."

Looking towards her I noticed the thin layer of tears in her eyes.

Me:"Addie.."
Addie:"No, I've dreaded this day for years and now it's finally here. I'm not ready to let you go Abel, but I know you are destined for wonderful things in life. It is time you spread your wings and make the best of your life without me."
Me:"Without you? Never. Near or far you will always be with me. You and Ope are all I have besides Tommy. I don't think I can make a decision on my own without your advice giving.. Addie you will always have a say on what I do in life, yea your my aunt but over the years you've been an amazing mother to Tommy and I. I never took it for granted and I never will, without you I don't know if I would even be alive."
Addie:"Yes you would. Abel you are a bright young man, I've never seen a situation you couldn't handle on your own. You can make it on your own, I know you can. I want you to see and believe it as well."
Me:"Maybe one day I will."
Addie:"Oh you will. Let's head home so you can get ready."
Me:"Let's get it over with."

We've been home for quite some time now. I stood in mine and Tommy's room, dressed and ready to go...well almost ready since I'm still struggling on how to fix this damn tie! Groaning loudly I heard the door open so I glanced over to see Ope standing there, when he realized why I had groaned he then lowly laughed before entering the room to help me.

Opie:"Everything okay?"
Me:"No."
Opie:"What's the matter Abe?"
Me:"Addie says I'm destined for great things but I can't help but feel I shouldn't leave at all."
Opie:"Well-"

The tie was finally fixed then Ope leaned against the doorframe.

Opie:"She will miss you, that's for damn sure. She wasn't expressing her feelings towards you to make you want to stay, son, look you and Tommy have been in her life for years, so I can understand why she is feeling the way she is. Instead of being a mother to two, it became four. It's something a mother goes through when one of her kids are leaving the coop. The last thing you need to worry about is her, Addie will always be there for you no matter how big or small the reason is, just know, Addie would be the first to drop everything for you, Tommy, Kenny or Ellie. You four are her world, if one of us falls, well, she will fall too."

Those final words is what broke me, tears fell quickly which caused Ope to lunge forward and pull me to him.

Opie:"I am so sorry Abe, this isn't what I meant to cause.."
Me:"It's not you.."
Opie:"Then what is it? Talk to me Abe."

Managing to control my breathing, I then stepped back to look him in his eyes.

Me:"Dad said the same thing about Addie in the tape she had us watch..hearing that made me think about the tape and I-..wish he was here.."
Opie:"We all do Abel, Addie and I the most. Look, straighten yourself out before Addie comes busting through the door. We can talk more about this later."
Me:"You're right. I'll be downstairs in a minute."

Ope softly smiled before leaving the room. Glancing into the mirror I then sighed before leaving the room myself. Darting down the stairs quickly, I had spotted everyone waiting near the front door.

Addie:"Abe, you look very handsome."
Me:"Ahh, thanks Addie. Are we good to go?"
Addie:"We are."

During the drive towards my soon to be old high school, it was very quiet. Ope was the one driving, he never spoke a word due to his focus on the road even though in his facial expression I can tell he had something on his mind. Addie? Super quiet in the passenger seat, this is the quietest I've ever seen her, I wonder what is going through her mind. Glancing towards Tommy, his focus was on the surroundings we had passed by along the way. This silence is driving me crazy, just as I was about to ask what was everyone thinking about it was interrupted due to us parking beside Kenny's truck. Damn... I was the last one out of the truck,