June 2002

"I know Jan and Phil are so proud of her," Cindy said to Gary as they sat listening to Patty's valedictorian speech.

"I'm sure they are," Gary agreed. "She had to have worked very hard for this."

"Besides having an off-the-charts IQ," Cindy added.

"Do you know what she's planning to do?"

"Jan tells me she's been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and that she's planning to major in Computer Science there."

"I'm sure she'll do well at it," Gary replied. "What about Kevin?" Kevin was the salutatorian.

"He's going into pre-med. He wants to be a doctor like his father."

"If it's something he wants for himself, he'll succeed." Gary sounded just a little bit sad, and Cindy knew why. She squeezed his hand in sympathy.

The couple watched as all the graduates received their diplomas, then threw them joyously into the air as one when the ceremony ended. Then they went in search of their nephews and niece.

They found Patty and Kevin smiling proudly as Mike took their picture. Mickey was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Mickey?" asked Cindy.

Carol shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

A few minutes later, Cindy saw Mickey standing with several other boys.

"Hey, Mickey!" she called to him. "Let me get your picture with Patty and Kevin!"

Mickey grimaced but did as she had asked. "Perfect!" Mike exclaimed, snapping the photo.

"Why didn't you want your picture taken with your cousins?" Cindy asked Mickey after the others had gone.

"A dummy like me doesn't fit in with those smart kids," her nephew muttered.

'You're no dummy," Cindy protested. "You're great at working with your hands. Your mom has shown me some of the objects you've carved, and she told me about some of the appliances you've repaired for her."

"But nobody really cares about that type of thing," Mickey complained. "All anyone ever cares about is your IQ and your GPA and all those other initials."

"Well, I care about it," Cindy told him. "You're a fine young man, and I'm proud of you."

"Gee, thanks, Aunt Cindy." Mickey grinned and blushed slightly. "That's the nicest thing anybody ever said to me."


A couple of weeks later, Marcia called Cindy from the hospital.

"Jessica's in labor," she told her younger sister.

"I'll be there just as soon as I can," Cindy replied. She reached the hospital to find Marcia and Wally nervously pacing the waiting room floor as Jan sat quietly.

"She's already four centimeters dilated," Marcia said. "I can't believe this is really happening!"

"The doctor says it's gonna be a while," Wally added.

"Why aren't Brent's parents here?" asked Cindy.

"Jessica says they're out of town," Marcia replied.

Marcia went back to join her daughter in the labor and delivery room, and Wally, Jan, and Cindy sat in the waiting room talking together.

"I certainly never imagined that I'd be a grandfather this young," Wally remarked.

"Life's certainly full of surprises, isn't it," Jan agreed.

"What's Jessica going to do about work?" asked Cindy. Jessica had recently completed the cosmetology course at the local community college and had taken a job in a salon.

Wally shrugged. "I guess she'll just have to use child care when we can't watch the baby. Jess didn't plan this, you know. She let that boy take advantage of her. She's always been too trusting."

"Any idea when Brent's getting out of jail?" asked Jan.

"He has another hearing in a few months," said Wally. "I guess they'll decide then."

"I think it's just so sad that he can't be here for the birth of his own baby," Cindy commented.

"He should have thought about that before he stole that motorcycle," Wally grunted.

It was several hours later that Marcia appeared with tears in her eyes.

"Is everything all right?" Wally asked anxiously.

"Everything's fine," Marcia assured him. "We have a beautiful new grandson."

"All right!" Wally was grinning from ear to ear.

Cindy visited with Jessica and baby Ryder for a few minutes, then returned home to find that all three children were in bed and Gary was on his computer.

"How did it go?" he asked softly.

"It went all right." Cindy sighed. "I don't think Jessica fully realizes what she's gotten herself into. Parenting's hard enough when there are two parents."

"Don't I know it." Gary chuckled and embraced his wife.