The Gray Brothers✔️ (Kindle version)

Graduation

Maggie

We practiced commencement for three days. The principal thought we would screw up graduation. We're not apes and can follow instructions. Well, most of us can.

We collected our caps and gowns. I hung mine on the back of my closet door.

Nash tapped on my door.

"Hey."

He walked over to me. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Is Nixon ready?"

Nixon said, "Woohoo! I'm graduating!"

"I would say yes," Nash said.

I laughed.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Nash took my hand and led me out of my room.

*****

Nash pulled into an open field and parked the car. We got out of the vehicle as he popped the trunk and pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket.

"Look at you, Mr. Romantic." I smiled.

"I thought we'd enjoy a picnic." He walked over to a spot and set the basket down. Then he opened the blanket and laid it down. He joined me and pulled out sandwiches, chips, and beverages.

We sat on the blanket and talked. Afterward, we lay on our backs while looking at the clouds.

"This was perfect. Thank you."

"Sometimes, you need simplicity."

"What will happen to us?"

"Well, I figure we'll graduate, get married, and have babies. Maybe a little Nash or a little Mags running around."

I saw a little boy with chestnut brown hair and steel-grey eyes running around. Nash picked him up and swung him around. It was at that moment that Nash would become my family.

I placed my hand on his cheek, then leaned over and kissed him. He pulled me to him while rolling me onto my back. He kissed me, then said, "But no babies until we're married."

"No worries there." I smiled.

He kissed me again.

*****

The next day, we rushed to get ready.

"Nixon and Maggie, hurry! Graduation starts in thirty minutes!" Nate said.

"We're getting dressed, old man! Calm your tits!" Nixon said.

"I'll give you, old man! And I do not have tits!"

Nash knocked on my door. "You better hurry before my dad has a stroke."

I stood up straight after pinning my cap to my hair. I turned around. "Well, does grey suit me?"

He studied me while picturing me when I was little, following him around, and he would run over my Barbie dolls. Later, when I became a teen, entering my gawky period. My braces had come off at fifteen. My face had cleared up. He returned to find me asleep in his bed.

He remembered our late-night talks through my window. Our shopping trips. The ice cream fights, first dance, first kiss, first date, and the first time. He gazed at me as I stood in my cap and gown.

"Nash?"

"Um, yeah." He wiped his eyes.

I walked over to him and smiled. "Are you crying?"

"No. I had something in my eyes."

I raised my brows. "Yeah, your eyeballs."

He laughed. "I remembered moments."

"And?"

"And I love you. Now let's get you graduated." Nash pulled me into a kiss.

Nate said, "Two seconds!"

Nash chuckled and took my hand. "Way to ruin a moment, Dad!"

*****

We arrived on time and found our seats. We sat in our seats and listened to the faculty speak, which was annoying. The salutatorian spoke and wasn't too bad. Then the valedictorian got up and spoke. If you ever attended a graduation, the valedictorian is number one in the class. The person gives a long-ass speech.

They give a speech about our high school experience and the future. High school sucks with teachers you don't like. Your classmates are decent, while some are jerky. Don't be jerky.

Our valedictorian was that kid who gave the most boring speech I have ever heard. Nixon and I groaned. Their speech rambled on forever. Someone, please put us out of our misery. The principal cut off the valedictorian. Thank God.

The principal called us to collect our diplomas. When Nixon got called, the Grays whistled and cheered. They did the same thing when they called my name, especially Nash. Ah, can't you feel the love?

After they called each senior, we moved our tassels and proclaimed that we had graduated. Then we tossed our caps into the air even though the school said no. We didn't listen. Yep, we were in that class.

After graduation, we met up and hugged. It was a beautiful day. The day could not have been better. I couldn't wait for the future, which would bring more chaos and antics. What do you expect from the Gray brothers?