Reunited
Pony's graduating class will be entering onto the field in a few minutes, which gave me time to go over the plan:
Step 1) Move to sit next to the band after the students take their seats.
Step 2) Wait until the initial welcome is finished.
Step 3) Start walking up the aisle during the narration of the Pledge of Allegiance which is usually led by the ASB student body president, but this year will, instead, be lead by the Valedictorian- by Ponyboy.
In the two days that I have been back home, Ponyboy is the only one I have not seen- and it was all so that I could surprise him on his big day. This was the big, crazy, hair-brained scheme that Jeff had thought up when I was talking to him in his office. Sure, I was hesitant, because prolonging the time that I would be able to reunite with him was something I hated even considering; but I needed him to know that I never left him. I promised that I would always be there for him, and this was my chance to show him that I'll never break that promise.
I tap my fingers against the handheld microphone, wondering how in the world Will Roger's High could afford this type of new technology, but only so I could keep my mind off of the free time I had. If you keep your mind off of the time, then it'll pass by quicker; it seems logical, but, so far, it wasn't working.
I got that feeling again that I was stuck in some sort of limbo, but it wasn't a 'too-impatient-to-wait' way… it was something else, a place much darker and more horrible, blocking me from my family- from reality…
Loud brassy music suddenly fills the air and I can see students begin to file out of the side school entrance. Childishly, I duck my head once I find Ponyboy. I can feel my heart beat hard against my chest as I study him.
The bright glint of metal draws my attention to his cords and medals first; he's definitely got a lot more than I had when I graduated- each one hangs proudly around his neck. I see that he's taller as well, perhaps as tall as Soda is, and I can't help but smirk when I see the muscle he's built. His strides are done with conviction, and he holds his head up high, but his face is dark and bleak. He looks like he doesn't want to be here.
I'll fix that.
Once everyone is where they're meant to be, Jeff motions for them all to sit and, after readjusting his tie, takes to the podium.
"Distinguished guests, friends, faculty and staff, graduates and their families- on behalf of everyone here at Will Roger's High School, I am pleased to welcome all of you to our 1969 commencement ceremonies!" the audience applauses with a few hoots and hollers added in. Jeff goes on to tell them how exceptionally proud he is, acknowledging the great abundance of awards given to those involved in athletics and other actively involved clubs, and talking about the grand things that await the graduates as they go out in the real world.
"Before we hear from our Student Body President, we will now be lead in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance by none other than our Valedictorian- Ponyboy Curtis!" the Audience applauses once more (why they did this is beyond me). Pony stands to take Jeff's place.
"Please stand and remove all hats as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance." His voice has deepened quite considerably, and had we been in a different situation, I would've laughed out loud and questioned him on how many girls he was able to pick up because of it.
The sounds of shuffles are heard as people begin to stand; I grip the mic so hard it's a wonder I haven't crushed it to bits.
"I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America-" I keep my breathing even as I step into the aisle and bring the microphone up to my face.
"-And to the republic for which it stands-" I start to walk, focusing on my brother and my brother only. Pony looks at me quizzically, not recognizing who I am. I smile.
"-One nation, under God-" Pony's breath hitches as his eyes shoot open in realization, and his hands fly up to his mouth. He whips around to find Jeff who is already standing beside him, and I pick up where he left off, knowing that he won't be able to finish it.
"-Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." I keep myself sounding professional since everyone is now looking at me confused. Unfamiliar faces of students around me twist in disbelief as they connect the dots. My brother looks like he's going to be sick- he's gripping the edge of the podium to keep himself upright; Jeff is whispering something to him, but I can't tell what they're saying because of all the murmuring that has begun in the crowd. He's real confused as to what to make of this, so I speak up. I say the words I should've said a long time ago.
"I am so incredibly proud of you, Ponyboy," was all I had to say. Pony jumps the few steps separating the platform from the ground and trips over his feet several times in trying to get to me, losing his graduation cap in the process.
"Dar!" he cries out. He's fast so I brace myself for impact and when he reaches me I swing him around, holding him tightly.
Some of the girls around us are dabbing at their eyes and sniffling as the men look at us with a newfound respect. Pony is sobbing, so, like I did with Soda, I just hold him and run my hand through his hair. I laugh softly.
"You're so tall…" I underestimated just how much he had grown. Pony just hugs me tighter. Maybe, sometime in the future we'll both look back and he'll tell me how mad he is that I embarrassed him like this, but I didn't care; I looked forward to it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who don't know, this here is Lieutenant Darrel Shayne Curtis," Jeff's voice catches me off guard. "About a year ago, he was drafted to fight in the war." There's an eerie silence as everyone is called to remember the reality in which we lived in. I notice, and am grateful, that Jeff does not say the word 'Vietnam'.
"He was captured, taken as prisoner, and was missing for five months; the army had informed his family that he would not be returning home," at this, Pony makes a strangled noise and looks at me; I give him a reassuring smile and pat him on the back. Jeff continues.
"But here he stands- he fought his way back home and was able to make it in time to see his youngest brother graduate. So can we please give it up for this man who, like so many other young men, sacrificed so much for our country." Everyone stands and cheers, and I can feel my face getting hot. Pony keeps an arm around my waist looking out over the crowd and grins through his tears.
When they have finished applauding, I start to guide Pony back up to his seat on the platform; we don't get very far because my side cramps up and I double over, gripping it in pain.
"Darry what's wrong? Are you okay?" Pony whispers this as he searches frantically for some way to help out. I grit my teeth.
"No, I'm fine—" another wave of pain hits and I gasp, in spite of myself.
My brother, being the one to understand things more than most his age, evaluates quickly and swiftly ducks his head beneath my arm, holding me up. We walk like this the rest of the way, but I don't feel ashamed.
When we have reached the seats up on the platform, Pony lowers me down gingerly, seating himself in the chair next to me. But I don't take my arm off of his shoulders- I keep it there. I smile at him appreciatively and squeeze his bicep, much like our father did with us when we were having a really tough time at school. Pony slips his arm around my waist once again. He gets it.
We sit like that for the rest of the ceremonies. I am given the honor of being the one to hand Pony his Diploma.
When the ceremonies are over, Soda finds us, followed by Steve and Two-Bit. Two-Bit cracks a joke about me being too old to walk and Steve quickly rebuttles with some remark about something Two-Bit did while he was with Kathy the other night. Two-Bit then goes for a headlock, which Steve narrowly misses, and gets swatted in the back of the head by Pony. I just let out a disapproving chuckle while Soda rolls his eyes and declares with finality that they were taking me to the hospital.
During the ride there, I find that Pony has been given a full-ride at the University downtown and Soda has a girl who he thinks is the love of his life- he's talking marriage. I laugh in disbelief at how adult my brothers have become.
For a moment I will myself to think about Vietnam and I find that even though it's still there, it is too far off in the distance for me to be bothered by it. I know that everything will be okay.
Our family was small, but it's still a family- and that's all that mattered. There is nothing in the world that could make me give them up.
My parents would be proud.
First fan fiction posted! Yay! It took a while to get it down, but this is something I've been thinking about for a while…. So I hope it was good! More to come soon!
Please tell me what you think! Thank you!
XO, Sensible Daydreamer
