Serendipity

Chapter 3

My heels slapping loudly against the pavement and the eyes watching me is the least of my worries as I rush up the flight of stairs to the stadium.

I hear the principal reciting the pledge of allegiance.

I'm late, and Mom is going to have my head on a pitchfork for this.

She called me while I was driving an hour ago and I told her I was almost there. She said they were sitting in the front row, seats 110-210.

I get the program from the man at the gate and walk through the revolving metal bar into the stadium.

I'm up high, and I know Mom probablt reserved seats.

People are turning to glare at me because my heels are clicking loudly.

I find the sign that says 110-210, and my eyes scan everyone seated.

I see my Mom's brown hair.

Thank god.

The seat to her right is open. It's the very last seat, directly next to the aisle.

I feel people's eyes drilling me as I rush down the steps.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry!" I whisper.

All the graduates are in the field, seated.

My heart is pounding from all this running.

I sit down next to Mom.

I see her eyes studying me and my outfit.

"You look nice." She says. "You're late."

"I'm sorry. There was traffic on the interstate. I need to speak with you later about an issue I'm having, which is another reason I'm late."

She nods. She's wearing a tight royal blue dress and heels. Dad has a button down and dress pants.

He smiles at me and I smile back.

"Your brother is in row three, seat twelve."

I frown.

"How could you possibly have that number?"

She looks at me like I'm stupid.

"Well, I asked the principal." She says.

People in South Hampton know us. I could walk past, even after three years of not living here, and they'll recognize me.

I sigh and scan the graduates for my brother.

My brother and I are close, but I haven't seen him since New Year.

It's June 7th, and I know next month I'm going to be forced to attend the Fourth of July party.

My eyes rest on my brother. He's in his red graduation gown like everyone else.

I sit at they do all the speeches and then they start calling names.

Mom has a camera recording the entire thing.

She invited probably the entire school to the party tonight.

I bet she's the one hosting the after party.

They call my brothers name, and we start cheering, blowing air horns.

I'm so proud of him.

We wait as the rest of the people get called, and by now, it's nine thirty.

People start running to the field to meet with us.

Mom didn't even want to deal with the crowd when I graduated. She told me that she told Shaun to meet at the house.

We all leave, going our separate ways, but for whatever reason, Mom and Dad follow me to my car.

"Carmen Elizabeth Schuler, the bumper of this vehicle is dragging on the ground. I refuse to let you drive around in it any longer!"

"Mom, honestly, it's a good car! I don't want your money!"

"You're not getting money, you're getting a car." She says. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

I shake my head.

"I'll tell you later. I'll see you at the house."

So they leave, and I do, too.

I drive to the house. Every light is on, and the butler, Jeremy, is in the driveway, which is a mile long itself.

He's giving out wine to adults after I.Ding them, and giving ginger ale to people tweny and under.

I stop next to him, using the crank to roll down the window.

"Hey Jeremy."

"Hello Miss Carmen, can I give you a ginger ale?"

"Yeah, can I actually just have a can?" I ask.

Mom has them being put in expensive wine glasses.

"Your mother said that nobody is allowed to bypass her glasses."

"I can handle my mother. Please, Jeremy?"

He hesitates, and then hands me one of the cans.

"Thank you." I smile.

"You're welcome, Miss Carmen."

I drive away, parking in the driveway, in the part that Mom has reserved for me.

Literally, if somebody parks in one of her family members parking spots, she'll have the car towed.

The front doors are open, so I walk into the house.

The chandelier is hanging above my head.

The white tile floor is perfectly clean.

I immediately rush upstairs to my old bedroom, which mom left the same simply because it's my room, and I lock the door.

Then I go downstairs.

Guests are starting to arrive, cluching their wine glasses.

The whole town, and basically anybody that knows anything about my family, knows I'm the most rebellious of my family.

I don't give into the family name. Only do sometimes.

I drive the Honda Civic while everyone else is driving Mustangs.

I drink from a can while everyone else is drinking from Crystal wine glasses.

I wander the house, looking for somebody I know.

I spot Mom, and I avoid her. If she sees my can, she'll kill me.

I walk the other way, but Mom's later, I feel her gently grabbing my elbow and pulling me into the study.

"Carmen, dear, please don't do this tonight. Just try to fit in, okay?" she grabs a glass frm the China cabinet and pours the ginger ale into it.

I sigh.

"Sure." I say.

I walk out.

I sit by the front door, waiting.

Finally, after twenty minutes, I see my baby brother walk into the house.

"Shaun!" I say.

He looks up at the sound of my voice.

"Car!" he yells, rushing to me.

I wrap him in a tight hug.

"You made it!" he says.

"I know!" I grin. "I can't believe it! You gradated!"

"I know! I really did it!"

He looks so happy, and then his eyes land on the wine glass.
"You drinking from a glass?" he asks.

I smile.

"Mom took my can."

He laughs quietly.