Part the Twentieth – An Epilogue
David smoothly pulled into the parking space and put the car in park. As he was removing his keys from the ignition, he checked himself in the rear view mirror one last time. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to the faint streaks of grey at his temples and the lines just beginning to appear at the corners of his eyes. He smiled at his reflection and adjusted the collar of his dress shirt. The seat belt had pushed one side of it into his sweater-vest.
Exiting the vehicle, he locked the door, happy that the key didn't stick—unlike with his last car. Looking at the dark blue Hyundai, David was also glad that he was finally in a place in his life where he could afford to lease a somewhat newer car that wasn't constantly on death's door. After owning one decent car, followed by two junkers, David was starting to get better at knowing what to look for and what to keep an eye on in a ride.
Patting the rear bumper in affection—or possibly gratitude that he had made it in one piece and on time—he made his way across the parking lot, mindful of the cars and other families. Once he was on the sidewalk, he checked his watch. It read 10:35 a.m.
'It looks like I've got some time to kill,' he thought to himself.
David took his time walking past the various stalls selling memorabilia and trinkets, knowing that any of them that he bought would immediately find their way in the trash. Pushing through the crowds taking selfies, he made his way up the stairs at a leisurely pace. A few seconds after entering the convention center, he was greeted by a plump older lady, who was handing out program flyers.
"Welcome, welcome," she said, handing David a flyer. It was cheaply printed, just black text printed onto a colored sheet of paper and folded, but David treasured it all the same.
"Thanks," he replied with a grin.
"You must be so proud," she continued, handing a flyer to an old man passing by on his way into the main hall. The man took it with the hand not holding several balloons.
"Oh, trust me, I am."
Entering the main hall, he looked for an empty seat towards the font. He wanted to make sure that he would have a good view, since this was a once in a lifetime experience. Finding one at the very end of the row, he sat down, and opened up the flyer. He started scanning the names for one in particular.
"Oh. My. God!"
David turned and looked for the source of the voice. Before he had time to brace himself, he found his arms full of teenaged girl, and his view being obscured by curls dyed in multiple pastel colors. He was being squeezed—and tightly at that—while his captor motioned for something, or someone outside of his range of vision.
"David, is that really you?" she asked, pulling back a bit. Still her hands, with wrists wrapped in an array of colorful sports bands, lingered on his shoulders. An almost manic grin stretched across her face as she looked down at him.
"Nice to see you too, Nikki," he responded. He slowly and gingerly removed her hands from his person and then moved one seat over so she could sit down. "Is Neil with you?"
"Nah, he's in Boston doing science stuff. He wants me to livestream him the ceremony though," she answered, plopping down into her seat. She pulled out her phone and waved it in front of David. The case was a garish mish-mash of 80s colors and geometric shapes, which matched her general aesthetic. Gone were the overalls and tomboy style, replaced by a look that David could only just remember from his childhood.
She leaned back in her chair, stretching her legs out, knocking into the chair in front of her. Luckily there was no one sitting in it at the moment. She took a second to look David up and down, making him feel a little self-conscience, before nodding to herself as though all was as it should be, "You here for Max too?"
"Of course," he answered, lifting the flyer slightly. She pulled a matching one from her pocket.
They didn't have to wait long before the ceremony started and students dressed in blue caps and gowns filed through an aisle between the chairs. Both Nikki and David had their phones raised to capture the procession. During this time, David managed to snap a picture of Max—middle finger raised to the camera—in his graduation attire.
In the past few years, the teen had managed to grow a couple more inches, which put him just a bit under David's height. He was still thin for a boy his age, but it was hard to tell draped as he was in his graduation clothes or the multiple hoodies he still favored. If David remembered correctly, Max had almost twelve hoodies in collection—or at least it was twelve the last time they had gone camping, the previous summer.
Since their rather odd summer, two and a half years after Camp Campbell, they had gone camping a couple more times. There had been a few years where it had been impossible for David to pull together the necessary funds, and there had been that one summer where Max had been grounded, but the pair still did their best to keep in touch and updated with each other's lives. They continued to text frequently, even if David's new job and Max entering high school left them both busier than before.
David rolled his shoulders and made himself more comfortable. It had been a long drive after all.
For the first half of the ceremony, David found his mind wandering while community members of various import gave the same speeches they gave every year. Towards the ceremony's halfway point, David found himself scanning through the list of names, counting how many would be called before it would be Max up there on the stage. There were a lot.
He unlocked his phone.
David: Looks like we'll be here a while.
David had to wait a moment or two before his phone buzzed softly—he remembered to put it on silent, thankfully—in his hand. He imagined that Max had to dig the device out of a pocket beneath his robe.
Max: Unfortunately. U know u could probably leave, grab a snack, & be back before they even get through the Ns, rite? No need for both of us to suffer.
He entertained the thought for a second. His stomach growled and he patted it, mentally asking it to wait just a little longer. He really didn't want to chance missing Max's big moment. And besides, he was planning to surprise Max with pizza after the ceremony.
David: Now why would I go and do that?
Max: That was me asking u to buy me food.
David smiled. Hearing applause, David balanced his phone on his knee, and clapped politely. He looked up at the stage as the man he assumed to be the principle shook hands with a bored looking guest. Soon after, another facility member announced that they would begin calling names.
Max: Can't wait for this shit to be over. Just gimme the damn piece of paper so I can go.
David looked up at the stage and then back at his phone, hesitating before letting his thumbs glide across the keyboard. While he was looking forward to seeing Max walk across the stage, he knew that Max would be beyond peeved once he opened the little booklet and found a blank piece of paper inside. David bit his lip and hit send.
David: You know, the real diploma comes in the mail later, right?
Max: Ur shitting me.
The not so subtle cry of "goddamn it" had every head turning in what David assumed was Max's direction. The principal and three other teachers glared, while the majority continued to look bored out of their minds. David sank into his seat a little. Whoops.
Max: What's the fuck is point then?! Ur absolutely sure?
"You alright there, David?" Nikki asked, staring at him in concern. Her phone was still raised and recording the ceremony. He smiled—well, more like grimaced—in response, causing her eyebrow to arch closer to her hairline. She looked from his face to his phone and leaned into his personal space—her own phone still up and recording the proceedings—before she grabbed the hand holding his device. David watched as she skimmed over the messages before muttering a soft, "Uh oh."
"Um, Neil? I think you're going to want to see this," she said, raising the phone a little higher.
David's phone buzzed again.
Max: ?
David took a deep breath and looked at the crowd of students. In an ocean of blue square caps, there was one tan face turned and looking at him over the back of a metal folding chair. They stared at one another, ignoring the sounds of names being called and people politely clapping. Max tilted his head and made a gesture with his hand, as if to ask 'well?'
He had no sooner nodded in confirmation than Max was jumping up from his seat, causing a wave of gasps and other surprised sounds to echo through hall. He tore the cap and gown from his body, revealing the rather rude tee-shirt and jeans underneath, and threw the offending garments onto the chair.
"Mr. Sethi, you will sit down this instant!" the Principal cried, as Max was all but climbing over the other students towards the aisle. A couple of the other students shifted their chairs backwards to let him through. The teachers who had looked so bored before looked on in interest.
"Bite me."
David tapped Nikki's arm and tilted his head towards the exit as Max began power-walking towards the door. She didn't need further encouragement to follow her friend out, streaming on her phone all the while. David, however shot an apologetic look towards the school administration's way, before briskly making an exit. He tried to ignore the sounds of chaos behind him.
He caught up with the two teens in the parking lot. Nikki was standing next to Max, holding the phone out as far as she could, so both of them would be in frame. Max had his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he sorely missed his usual hoodie, but otherwise looking pleased.
"So, that was… something."
"Shut up, Neil," Max tried to sound annoyed, but the grin plastered across his face somewhat ruined the affect. He rubbed at his upper arms. "Besides, don't blame me, blame David!"
David's head shot up, "What? What'd I do?"
"Though," Max looked at David, features forming a small glare. "I wish you said something before the stupid ceremony. Could've stayed home or, I don't know, gone anywhere that isn't here."
Before David could respond, Nikki piped up. "Well, you have to admit that was pretty epic. Did you see all those old ladies clutching their pearls? Not to mention telling your principle off? That was really cool. Can we go back in and do it again?"
"No," came three different replies.
"… well, as… entertaining… as all this is, I really should get back to research. I'll talk to you later, Max?" Neil asked. Max nodded, a small smile on his face.
"Later," he saluted at the camera.
Turning the video chat off, Nikki went to pocket her phone, before activating the camera and pulling Max in for a one armed hug. For a split second, he looked offended before he schooled his features into his usual aloof calm. David watched as the pair took a few selfies, Max grumbling all the while. He guessed some things never changed.
"Call me when you get to Florida," Max said, once their impromptu photo shoot was finished.
Nikki pocketed her phone and dug out a set of what David guessed had to be her car keys. She nodded once to Max and waved goodbye to David, "Yeah, sure. Don't hesitate to text me if you change your mind. Door's always open, okay?"
"Will do. Be safe," Max stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
David couldn't help but ask, "Florida?"
"Yeah, road trip. The plan is to stop at every state along the east coast. That's why she was able to be here today." Max answered, shuffling closer to David. He pulls one hand from his pocket and gestures around the parking lot, "So, which one's your's?"
Leading the way towards his Hyundai, David looked at Max from the corner of his eye. The teen was rubbing his arms again. Although it was technically early summer, the weather still hadn't gotten super warm. With a little smile, David pulled out his key chain and used the key-fob to unlock the trunk, once they were close enough.
"I was going to wait to give this to you, but I think you'd appreciate it sooner rather than later," David said, opening the trunk and fishing around for a silver gift bag. "Congratulations on finishing high school."
Startled, Max took the bag, looking from the metallic paper to David several times. At David's insistent look, he opened it. He looked confused for a moment, before his face morphed into surprise, and then into gratitude. Pulling the fabric out of the bag, he admired the navy and azure striped hoodie.
"I'm pretty sure it's the right size, but I put a gift receipt in the bag just in case," David said as he unlocked the doors. Slipping in, he waited for Max—now dressed in the hoodie—to climb into the passenger seat.
"It's… I don't know what to say."
"I figured you might need it once classes start again, especially if you really do plan on moving back up north. Plus, I know how much you love those things, even in ninety-something degree weather. I still don't know how you do that, but who am I to judge, right?" David carefully pulled out of the parking lot, making sure to check his rearview mirror frequently. Pulling onto the road, David started driving towards a restaurant he had passed on his way to the graduation. "I hope you're up for some pizza. My treat of course."
Max scoffed, "Sure you can afford it, old man?"
"Hey there! I'll have you know that Mr. Martin pays me plenty, thank you very much," David answered, playfully. And it was true. While things had been rough for quite a while—so much so that Max had taken to ordering groceries online and having them shipped as care packages to David's apartment—eventually David's luck turned around. One afternoon, seemingly out of the blue, he received a job offer from his old boss, which paid relatively well and allowed David to finally start paying Max back. It felt great to give his two week notice and leave the grey block of corporate hell that he had been working at.
"Speaking of which, you got my money?"
David huffed out a laugh, "Glove compartment."
Max leaned forward to open said compartment, drawing out an ATM envelope. He leaned back in his seat and opened it, counting the bills inside. He grinned. "You know this is too much, right?"
"Interest. Besides you might need it while you look for a part-time job," David answered simply, pulling into a spot in front of the restaurant.
"Don't remind me," Max shot back, getting out of the car. He worried the sleeves of his new hoodie between his fingers as he waited for David to join him at the door. "But I should have enough to get me through the majority of it, thanks to those scholarships. I still can't believe you made me apply for those—that who is my hero one in particular! Ugh!"
"You never did tell me who you wrote about," David teased, opening the door.
"Just some guy I made up. Googled a bunch of previous years' essays and tried to copy those. I'm just surprised it worked. Not that I'm complaining about free money… just the amount of work it took to get it," he said, following David to the counter. "I want pepperoni and sausage. And one of those coffee sodas."
Nodding, David pulled out his wallet and said, "Ok, go find us a table."
Max gave him an unimpressed look and pointed a thumb behind his shoulder at the mostly empty tables. When he received little reaction, save for a raised eyebrow, he ambled off in the direction of the seats closest to the windows. David simply turned and placed his order. It took about ten minutes for their pie to be brought to the table, along with Max's Manhattan Special and David's unsweetened ice tea.
"You are going to love college, Max," David put a slice of pizza—Hawaiian style—on his plate, startling Max, who was busy enjoying his slice and resolutely ignoring David's choice in pizza toppings.
"So you keep saying. I think you're more excited about this than I am," he said around a mouthful. He washed it down with a swig from his espresso-soda hybrid.
"I just think it's going to be a good opportunity for you. You're going to learn so much, experience so many new things. I remember when I was in college, I found out a lot about myself, who I wanted to be, and what I wanted to do. I hope it does the same for you… And you worked so hard to get there."
Max put down his soda. He picked up his half eaten slice and ducked his head, "Well, I did have help."
David smiled, "Even so."
They managed to finish off the entirety of the pie between the two of them. Max even managed to get over his initial disgust of pineapples on pizza to steal one of David's slices when the elder proclaimed himself too full to eat another bite. Contented, the two chatted about David's college life until Max received a message from his father.
The drive back to Max's was quieter, but not uncomfortable. David let Max choose the music, provided the volume wasn't too loud, and Max was happy to play with the sleeves of his hoodie. It took less time than both would have liked to arrive at Max's neighborhood.
"Hey, you can let me out here," Max pointed to a street corner next to a pale pink house with a well-trimmed lawn and small garden to the side.
"You sure? I don't mind driving you closer," David said, pulling over.
"Nah, this is fine," he replied as he undid his seat belt. His hand lingered on the door handle, but he made no motion to open the door. "Thanks for coming all the way out here today. I… appreciate it. It would've sucked walking across that stage, knowing that there wasn't anyone out there for me. I mean, I'd deal, but… it'd still suck."
"I'm sure Nikki would've still made it," David responded, cutting the ignition.
"Still…"
"Still."
Sighing, Max opened the door.
"Max," David unbuckled his seat belt so he could turn to face Max more fully, "I'm proud of you. I really, really am."
Max stepped out of the car, and turned so he was leaning his forearms against hood of the car. He peaked down into the vehicle. Smiling, Max shot back, "You know what? You ain't so bad yourself," before gently shutting the door.