The ceremonies had been boring, to say the least. The foursome attended the event more for their parents’ sake than their own. Unlike many of the other graduates, they used the scholarship money as intended. It wasn’t used for lavish parties or road trips “just ‘cause they could.” It was used wisely for educational purposes. Now it was time to spread their wings and venture out into the world. Of course, each parent stood with pride as their child walked across the stage and accepted the sheepskin that would propel them into the working world. While some hooted and hollered or mooned the group of attendees, our four solemnly received the paper and waved at the audience with no unwanted fanfare. They exited stage right, and immediately disbanded from the remaining students. The act of throwing a mortar board in the air was childish to say the least; they had bigger fish to fry, and couldn’t wait to pack the car and head east into the sunset and try their luck just once.
Each parent greeted and congratulated their child for a “job well done” and wished them well. As a whole, they were extremely disappointed upon hearing that their children were not going directly to work, but rather on some ridiculous vacation across the United States. Muki’s parents were the most distraught. They never took a vacation. They worked seven days a week and felt vacations were only for the selfish. Muki hoped someday they would understand that the flag of Ho Chi Minh and his Communist Party was ten thousand miles away. It was time they too enjoyed the fruits of their labor, but she doubted if they would enjoy such lavishness. Spending money on themselves would probably never occur, but Muki was an American and was going to enjoy her Americanization. She would start a family someday, and they would honor the past of her parents while also forging out and learning everything grand about being an American citizen, without the weight of an oppressive government bearing upon her or her family. It would take time.
Larry’s folks understood the trip without blinking an eye. Larry Senior knew how cruel life could be at times. He clearly remembered the day when Larry Davis of the New York Jets cut his knees out while executing an illegal block for Terrance Williams in the 2000 Divisional Play-off game. Once in the trainer’s room, x-rays indicated a compound fracture of the femur, and a dislodged kneecap. The doctor pumped Larry full of morphine to ease the pain. The MRI the next day revealed an even more gruesome result. All of the ligaments and tendons holding the kneecap in place would have to be completely reconstructed. His days of playing football were over. He would be lucky if he could walk without some type of assistance for the rest of his life.
So, when his son told him and Sandy that he and three other classmates were holding off until August to take up permanent employment, they wholeheartedly agreed with the venture. “Son, you have the rest of your life to work. Have fun and be safe.” Excellent words from a father.
Mom, on the other hand, took a different approach. “Junior,” she said with a stern voice, “I want you to have fun and be safe like your father suggested; however, I’m not ready to be a grandmother any time soon. Make sure you carry an ample supply of Trojans, for if I receive a call in the fall declaring a child is on the way, I assure you, it will not have a father. Understood?”
What else could Junior say as his father laughed, knowing his mom’s words were not idle threats. “Yes, Mother. No Larry III’s in the near future.”
She kissed her son and stepped back as Dad shook his hand one more time.
“Congratulations Junior. I love you.”
Abdul’s parents were elated with the news of the pending trip (as was the City of University Park). It meant he wasn’t coming home, to possibly pick up where he left off. Many of the faculty inquired as to when Abdul would be coming home. The parents informed the residents that he was going on a summer vacation with his classmates. You could almost see the tension and nervousness leave their eyes with the wonderful news.
