CHAPTER 8

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It was finally time for graduation. A moment of achievement and the opportunity to look back at four years of hard work and grueling hours that it took to solidify and structure the next four years of adulthood away from home. A moment that James could have never pictured going to in a wheelchair, without a single hair on his head. However, the people that surrounded him when he needed help the most would all be there and that eased his heart a bit. "You ready to finally leave high school JT?" Taylor asked. She smiled the summer grin she always did when June came along. She had her golden hair curled and all fancied. Her nails were glossed over with rose gold with her heels to highlight the finished look. Her eyes, the two gems that allowed her to take in the world for what it was, glistened in the sun. The classic red of the Red Hawks clothed both James and Taylor in fitting styles as the two made their way down to the football field for graduation. Even though James wasn't the valedictorian of his class, he was asked to give a speech during the ceremony if he wanted to. He and Taylor spent hours formulating the best possible speech and when they finished, they both nodded in agreement.

The weather was perfect. The sun beamed just slightly to make one's skin glow and left just the right amount of color. No clouds in the sky. Not a single one. Everyone gathered for the ceremony. There were hundreds of people in the bleachers and hundreds more on the field right behind them. Since Montvale High School was one of the bigger high schools in the area, the graduating class was 1,250. Families and friends flooded the area as they waited to congratulate the next bunch of people ready to change the world. James peered all over the bleachers and once he found his mom sitting next to Taylor's dad, he felt more comfortable and relaxed back in his wheelchair. He sat right next to Taylor as they both waited to receive their diplomas and write the final chapter of their high school lives.

"Friends, families, faculty, and all those who have shaped these men and women to reach this very moment, I proudly present the Red Hawks class of 2016! It has been an honor and more so a privilege to have been their principal from the moment they walked in as freshmen to the upcoming last handshake with each and every one of them as they go on their way to become great leaders and difference makers."

This speech felt like a rerun of an old sitcom. Graduations were usually structured with the same formula and there was nothing wrong with it, it just got a bit boring. "Hey T, do you still have that water?" James asked as he nudged Taylor. She reached down beneath her chair and pulled out a bottle and handed it to James. "Don't drink too fast or you might have to pee when you're giving your speech." Taylor said. He smiled sarcastically. About half an hour past and right before James almost fell asleep, he heard the principal call for coach Daniels to speak. "Uh, well. I never really thought I would ever give a speech up here...and I'm right. This isn't for me to talk about our basketball championships or the success we've had in the past. I'm up here to introduce our next speaker. Now, I know that he's never been shy of the spotlight, but I also know that he's never been the one for anyone to pity him. So for one last time, I'd like to introduce to you all...the former senior captain and perhaps the greatest point guard to ever wear a Red Hawks jersey...Number 24...James Turner!" Coach Daniels began the applause that triggered an uproar of cheers and clapping. Taylor got to her feet and wheeled James up to the podium. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and the crowd swooned. "Good luck JT. Don't mess up." As the crowd quieted down, James took it all in. These were the people that were there from his first game to his very last. The ones that left messages and sent flowers and took the hits with him. The town that gave him a reason to wear his father's last name on his back every single game. He pointed at his mother, blew a kiss, and stood up from the wheelchair. The crowd gasped a bit but cheered when he was able to maintain his posture.

The sun was just about to set and the reflection of red and blood orange illuminated James's eyes and danced with his shadow. He gripped the paper firmly in his hand. He took two deep breaths, looked down at the paper, looked back up at the crowd. "Friends, families, faculty, my mom, Taylor Brookes, and the class of 2018, we're all here." The crowd laughed. James felt more and more like himself. Cracking jokes and entertaining the audience. "I wrote a speech in my hospital bed with Taylor, and I'll admit it's a great read. In fact, here you go." James threw his papers in the air and like confetti from the night of the game, it streamed in the air and gently fell to the ground. The last risk as a Red Hawk.

"You have all watched me grow from a pouty, tantrum throwing little boy, into a bald and aging adult who looks older than most of you. It has never been just me, though. Being able to do all I did in the past, I never did it alone. I had my teammates. So Sam, Quincy, Ricky, Ryan, Adam, Paul, Chuck, Bobby, Kurt, and Mike, thank you for being with me for four years. I know I took more game winning shots than all of you combined, and now looking back at it, I could've shared the love. Without you, we would not have won those championships let alone get to a point to have the chance to win games. And to you coach, thank you for never giving up on me and telling me how awful my mistakes actually looked. And to all of you, our fans, thank you for this opportunity. I have a few more special thank you's left so just stay with me. I promise I'm not worried about how much time it takes. To Taylor Ann Brookes, my best friend, I don't know where to start. You stopped your life for me. Sometimes I want to apologize to you because you look so uncomfortable on that couch yet you still get up early and get to school. But, if the roles were flipped, I'd do the same for you. To make sure you'd have a chance at life." James stopped for a bit. He held back tears. The crowd was silent and intently listened to his speech. He looked at Taylor. He wasn't even done with the speech and she was already a mess. Classic T.

"And to my dad. Who is here. Right in my heart. Dad, I'm fighting for the both of us. You left me to be the man of the house before I knew how to be a boy. At first, I'll admit, I was mad at you. I wanted you to be my superhero. My biggest fan...the one to argue the calls that we knew were against me. Mom's pretty great, but you being here would've made this so much better. That brings me to my mom. Mom, you're basically Taylor on steroids. You do everything and then you do more. I owe you my life. Whatever happens will happen and I want you to know that I am still here because of you. I don't know how you do it, but I'm glad you know what you're doing. I know it's hard to see me this way and believe me I know. I looked at myself this morning and I am not a good looking bald guy. I now know why you never let me shave my head. But in all honesty mom, thank you. Thank you so much. For making the impossible seem doable, for giving my dreams wings. To breathe life into my lifeless moments, and for being dad's best friend when he needed a friend the most. And finally, thank you all for being here to celebrate the beginning of something great. Coach always told us that we'll all start the same way but those who strive for greatness will find a purpose. And right now, my purpose is to beat cancer and proudly represent all of you at UConn. Thank you guys. JT out." James sank back in his wheelchair. Dropping the mic was on his bucket list and he could finally cross it off. Everyone got to their feet. They stood and clapped and cheered and cried. It was quite the spectacle. And in came Taylor sprinting up to the podium. She ran straight into James and hugged him. "I'm glad you threw away the speech. That was so much better."

Afterthe ceremony had ended, thousands of pictures were taken. Everyonecongratulated each other and expressed their joy and love. James went aroundand took pictures with his best friends and felt great about everything. 9 daysuntil the transplant. Everything felt right. It was going to work. It has to work.

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