Bridge of Graffiti

Eleven

Calvin, Four years Later

Being eighteen now didn't feel real. Well, I wasn't eighteen yet, but I was going to be turning eighteen in a couple of weeks. Every year around my birthday, I went to the graveyard to sit in front of the graves of the two people that adopted me, Michael and Betty Wagner. I moved my long hair out of my face as I sat crosslegged in the grass. I decided while I was sitting I'd tie my shoe, but I had to be quick as I knew dad was also in the graveyard somewhere.

"Hey everybody. It's me again." I said looking at the gravestones.

"Mom, you always said I would change at eighteen, but I stopped smoking weed...the graffiti really hasn't stopped. I don't think that'll ever stop. I'm about to publish a book though...thanks to my birth mom." I continued.

I scratched my head.

"Arnie has a baby girl on the way. I'm gonna be an uncle. He lives in St. Paul and his wife is really nice. I'm glad he's happy and you'd be gushing when she's finally born. I think they were wanting to name her Ava? I'm not sure. They've flipped on names a lot the last month or two."

I always paused as if I was waiting for a response, but I turned my head to Michael's grave.

"I never got to meet you, but I know you were a doctor. You were excited to meet me, but never got the chance to. My birth dad is great though. He's the coolest dude on the face of the planet. He got me a car. Well he helped me get a car, I had to go on tour with him to earn it and help set up the stage equipment. It was good for me. Mom is going to continue helping me with my books, Dad just helps me stay in line. Very soon if everything pans out, I might get my own place."

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"I can officially say that I am happy. I have two parents that love me. My grandmother recently passed, but I still have my parents and Arnie. I'm really...really happy." I said talking to the headstones again.

I felt a hand on my shoulders and I turned my head around to see my dad crouching down and smiling at me. His hair was short, and his facial hair was trimmed to his liking.



"Ready to go?" He asked as he stood so I could stand.

"Yeah, I think I've said everything I needed to." I said.

Dad and I took my car, a red 1957 Plymouth Fury. It was an old car, but it was a car that I wanted. I didn't want a 90s car as I really didn't mind having an older car as my first car and I knew how to take care of it. Dad and I got into my car and I got behind the wheel. He drove me around a lot, so now it was my turn to drive him around. We thought for a while I wouldn't be able to fit behind the wheel just because of how short I am. I only grew another three inches, but we found a way to do it.

"We're heading to Paisley, right?" I asked my dad. "Actually, I want you to take me to what you're working on. I know you're going to the train tracks." Dad said and I was a little shocked. How did he know?

"Uh...it's actually not the train tracks. It's...I'll show you." I said starting my car. I had owned this car for almost two years in a week.

"Dad, why don't you have a classic car?" I asked him.

"I do have some classics. Remember, I taught you how to drive the Thunderbird. Then I have my Buick." I took a deep breath before hearing Dad's phone ring.

He answered, "Hello?....Hey, baby....Yeah, we just left the cemetery." I knew he was talking to mom.

"Oh really? I didn't know they got actual diplomas." I gasped realizing my GED certificate came in. I finished school in May and had been waiting for it since June it was now the end of June.