Chapter 10 - School Spirit
"I don't know about this Avery."
"Come on Mom, I'm just going to introduce you to the guys. I'm not asking you to finish off a keg or anything. Not that we do that sort of thing here at the Kappa house. Well, we don't do it as much as the Omega's."
"That's just wonderful to know. You know alcohol..."
"The alcohol speech. Yeah, I remember from second grade."
"It's just that alcohol is...okay, okay, you're grown. Let's go."
"Really?"
"Yes. But if any of your little buddies try to grope me in any way..."
Avery gave her a look that made her stop in mid-sentence. He walked her and Lisa to the stairs of the house and opened the door. Every thing seemed normal. It was quiet with the exception of a couple of brothers watching TV in the main room. They reached over the couches with their hands and greeted Avery when they saw him.
"Mom, this is the Kappa house, home to the best brothers in the world." The men gave some kind of whooping male bonding chant in response to his statement, but before he could say anymore he heard a loud "Surprise!" About a hundred people came out from their hiding places to surprise Avery with a party for graduation. They let the music blare and opened bottles. He was shocked, never knowing what they had planned until now.
"Attention Kappa Brothers! Attention!" The music was lowered as Brandon, Avery's best friend and fellow Kappa brother wanted to make an announcement. "It is to my sadness that I must announce the loss of one of our own." Everyone made a fake crying sound. "Yes, yes and it is something we will have to get used to, but he wants to make the documentary film to end all documentary films and if anyone can do it, it's our boy Avery." Everyone sighed. "But we all know that's not what we're here for. All Greek's understand there are rituals."
"Yeah, hanging your underwear from a flag pole sure does sound like a real smart thing to do. But what do I know? I'm not Greek." Murphy commented under her breath.
Brandon continued. "Yes rituals. You must go through rush when you enter the house and we all know that's fun, but the best ritual of all comes when it is your time to leave. I think we all know what's coming." Avery feared what was next. "Brother Brown, meet your doom!"
"Hey guys, do we really have to do this now?"
"Yes!"
All of the brothers gathered around Avery. He glanced at Murphy and Lisa, apologizing with his eyes. They crowned him and hoisted him on their shoulders.
"I'm sorry, but this is a secret ritual," Brandon whispered to Murphy and Lisa. "I'll have someone escort you ladies outside. Scott!" Scott, a freshmen pledge appeared from nowhere. "Please take care of these ladies."
"Why can't I stay and watch this?"
"Um...You're a pledge."
"But Josh is a pledge too and he gets to stay?"
"Josh drank from the toilet last night, he has earned his right to stay. You, however, have not. Now go! And you better take care of these ladies."
"Okay."
"Excuse me, I don't think I heard you correctly?"
"Yes brother Daniels. I am a meaningless piece of pond scum. I don't deserve to be in your presence, your reverence. I will never speak to another brother the way I have spoken to you, sir."
"Much better."
By this time, Murphy had seen her share. This was enough to last her a lifetime, which she now wished would only last another five minutes so she could finally be put out of her misery. "Listen Scott, as fascinating as this seems I've had too darn much fun for today. I don't think I can take anymore Greek fun. Just call me a cab."
"Oh please don't leave ma'am. If you do I'll have to streak through the quad, and it's cold outside."
"I've seen way too much, I must go. And did you ever think of not doing what they tell you to do?"
"No. Why would I do that?"
"It means a lot to Avery that you meet the guys, Ms. Brown," Lisa said. "If I stay, will you?"
"I'm entirely too old for this." As Murphy finished her last statement she heard a howl of men come from the house. "What are they doing to my son?"
"Don't worry, Ms. Brown, they wouldn't do this if it wasn't safe...I think."
"That's really very comforting, thank you."