The weather forecast was spot on, and John wakes up to another perfect day. Rolling over onto his side he glances at the alarm clock, 5:30 in the morning. Ugh, he thinks, his alarm won't be going off for another half an hour, but there is no way he can get any more sleep.
Switching his alarm off and drags himself out of bed to take a shower, this is HIS day. Visions of the day ahead, with every possible scenario dancing in his head as he stands under the hot water beating down on his head. Falling flat on his face, losing the notes for his valedictorian speech, Gordon recovering and releasing a live skunk on the stage!
He is getting more nervous as he dries his hair and gets dressed into a clean pair of jeans and t-shirt. The clock now reads 5:45, great still another 2 hours before he has to leave for school, and no idea how to pass the time. How do his brothers waste their time so effectively?
He is broken from his trance by a knock on his door.
"Come in" he calls out. "Oh hey dad, you're up early"
"Couldn't sleep wither Johnny? Bet you're excited for your big day?" his dad tells him. Already dressed in his smartest most expensive suit.
"Yeah, sure. Excited" John tells him.
His dad doesn't buy it. This boy is far too much like his mother to hide anything from him. Raising an eyebrow at him, is all he needs before John starts to blubber.
"D-d-dad I can't d-d-do this. What if I fall f-f-flat on my face!" he wails.
"John, look at me, son. Its all going to be fine. Did I tell you about my graduation from high school? Your uncle Lee and I changed the graduation ceremony music and nearly got banned from the ceremony, your grandfather had to promise the school a new library to avoid me being expelled!" he tells him laughing.
"Really?!" John laughs.
"Really? Where do you think your brother gets his evil streak from!" His dad replies laughing.
"Is Gordon going to be okay dad?" John asks.
"Yeah, couple of days and he will be running around, diving into the pool and annoying you again, its just a throat infection" his dad reassures him.
"What if its not dad?" John replies.
"John, he will be fine, what is this really about?" His dad knows he is changing the subject from his graduation, trying to avoid the subject.
"I don't want to graduate dad, I want everything to stay the same. I am not ready for things to change" John tells him, tearing up again.
His dad has no more words for him, pulling him into his embrace for a cuddle.
John only pulls away when his alarm goes off.
"breakfast?" his dad asks.
"Rain check dad? I don't think I can eat anything" he tells him.
"Nope, even if its just a slice of toast John, you need something to eat or you'll end up fainting on the stage"
"Fainting?! I never thought about that" John groans, adding another dreaded scenario to the ever-increasing list in his mind.
"won't happen if you eat John" his dad tries to reassure him.
Together they go downstairs, Jeff starting breakfast while John sits quietly at the table, his head resting on his arms, his eyes shut.
His brothers slowly trickle into the kitchen, including Gordon.
"Gordon, you're awake, want something to eat Squid?" his dad asks, looking at his fish properly Jeff is concerned, he has not eaten anything in 24 hours, even turning down ice cream.
"No" Gordon mumbles, rubbing sleep from his eyes, "I don't feel good again" he tells his dad. He is still in his pyjamas and has bought his plush squid down with him.
"What's wrong Gordy?" His dad asks, abandoning the cereal he was putting out, to examine him.
"My face hurts daddy and my tummy and my legs and the light is hurting my eyes" he replies, almost in tears.
"Mom?" His dad turns to his Grandma.
"He is burning up again Jeff" she confirms. "I will get him back to bed, you get this lot to school, don't forget Alan you're going to work with daddy this morning and to Johns ceremony this afternoon" she addresses the 4-year-old.
"Really?" All thoughts of his brother forgotten as he climbs on to his chair and jumps on to his dads back.
"Alan! Get Down!" Grandma tells him.
"He's okay, aren't you Allie" His dad smiles at him, spinning him around and popping him back down on the floor.
"I give up" Grandma tells them laughing and taking Gordon back to bed, with more Tylenol and antibiotics, settling down on the bed next to him, with a book, while he snuggles into her side and falls asleep.
*TB*
Jeff agrees to drop John and Virgil off on his way to work with Alan and agrees to meet up for the ceremony at 1 o'clock in the school field where the teachers are already setting up.
Alan has not been to the office before, and he can barely contain his excitement as his dad pulls into his private parking space in front of the building.
Jeff starts him off with a tour of the office, Alans excitement is slowly ebbing away, and he is becoming more and more frustrated as they move from floor to floor.
"Daddy?" Alan says to his father in a small voice.
"What's wrong Allie?" his dad replies.
"I don't understand" He tells him crying.
Jeffs colleagues gather round concerned, hoping that nothing is seriously wrong.
"What don't you understand Allie? His dad tries.
"Where are all the clowns you said you worked with?!" he asks tearfully.
Jeff gasps, hoping that his employees will see the funny side and not quit! Luckily they are all laughing.
"Really Jeff?" a voice from behind him says.
"UNCLE LEE!" Alan cries.
"ALVIN" Lee replies holding his arms out for a hug.
"It's Alan!" Alan tells him indignantly.
"Are you sure?" Lee replies grinning.
"YES!" Alan tells him, laughing now.
"You are the biggest clown of the lot Lee!" Jeff tells him. "What are you doing here anyway? You aren't due back from vacation until Monday"
"I know, but I heard a rumour Jimmy was graduating today and you had a spare ticket because Graham was sick" Lee tells him.
Meh. Close enough Jeff thinks! "How did you find out?"
"Spencer called to tell me and ask is I wanted to come" Lee tells him fondly.
"Scott is your godson Lee, and you still can't remember his name!" Jeff laughs.
"I am just pulling your leg Jeff, I know all of their names, birthdays, blood types and show sizes!" Lee tells him fondly. "These boys are my family, you know that"
"I do, now let's finish the tour Allie" Jeff says. Getting back on topic.
"No, I want to stay with Uncle Lee!" Alan replies poking his tongue out at his father.
Lee shrugs, "What do you think Jeff, want me to take him for a bit I could get him a second breakfast"
"Or you can take him to the park across the street, get rid of some of that excess energy!" Jeff tells him.
"PARK!" Alan cries happily, grabbing Lees hand and dragging him back to the stairs.
"Lee, get him back here for 12" Jeff reminds him.
"Sure thing Jeff" Lee replies, allowing Alan to pull him away.
*TB*
Just 3 hours with Alan is enough to remind Lee why he didn't get married and have kids! Collapsing into the spare chair in Jeffs office he moans, covering his eyes with his hand.
"Long day Lee?" Jeff asks grinning.
"He just doesn't stop! Does he even sleep?" Lee asks exhausted. His hands still covering his face.
"Every now and again!" Jeff tells him eyeing up Alan fondly. "Come on Allie, lets go and see your big brothers, coming Lee?"
Lee uncovers one eye and gazes at Jeff. "coming" he tells him "Allie Lets go!"
Alan skips out the room, and over to the elevator. "I get to press the button!" Alan tells them, "and I want to go in uncle Lees car not yours, and I want to drive!"
"Yes, no and never going to happen!" Jeff tells him laughing.
"Why not daddy? You let Scotty drive" Alan asks.
"Scotty has a licence!" Jeff replies.
"when can I get a licence?" Alan queries, not getting put off by being told no again.
"When you are 35" Lee tells him.
"Daddy but that won't be for a hundred years!" Alan protests, as Jeff gets him into his car seat, and drives to the school.
*TB*
John thinks he is ready, he has spent the morning rehearsing his speech, he has even managed to eat the biscuits his Grandma remembered to put in his bag.
The only thing missing now is his guests! But he isn't going to panic, they aren't due for another 45 minutes!
"JOHNNY!" there is a scream from across the playground. That is a voice he would recognise anywhere!
"Allie!" he replies, running over to his youngest brother and dad, stopping in his tracks when he realises that they are not alone. "Uncle Lee"
"Jordan!" Lee replies grinning.
"What are you doing here?" He asks, he was not expecting this.
"Well a little birdie told me your Grandma and Brother couldn't make it and there was a spare ticket going, it was this or dinner with my brother and sister in law in Canada, this was a shorter drive!" Lee tells him.
*TB*
Virgil has to return a book to the library before he can leave, then he is free for 12 weeks, no more school. 12 weeks of freedom, and he can not wait.
"Hey Tracy"
Looking round it is Zack and his gang. Great.
"Are you looking for the loser convention?" Zack asks, while his gang laughs.
"I am", Virgil replies, "Oh look, I found it! I will see you losers next year when you repeat the 8th grade!"
"why are you leaving early?" Zack asks.
"Parole for good behaviour, again something you would never get to experience!" Virgil replies.
"See you in September Tracy" Zack tells him grinning.
"Bye Zack" Virgil replies. He has never had any trouble dealing with the school's bullies, growing up with 4 brothers he knows how to stick up for himself.
Smiling to himself as he crosses the street to the elementary school.
*TB*
Jeff is called into the principal's office before the ceremony. Wandering what trouble Gordon could have gotten into when he isn't even at school Jeff knocks on Mr Morgans door. This is the first time he has been in this office since the incident last September. Memories of that fateful day threaten the carefully guarded wall he has built in his brain.
There is a box on the desk, Jeff raises an eyebrow and takes a seat.
"Jeff, welcome. I thought seeing as today is the last day of school, and Gordon has missed the last opportunity to pick his confiscated items up, I thought you might like to take it home for him."
Jeff looks in the box. There is a fake rubber chicken, fake puke, a giant rubber spider and for some reason the cactus John got him for his birthday.
"I will see that he gets them back" Jeff promises. "Do you have his report card, or do I not want to know?
"Yep, and I think you are underestimating him Jeff, he hasn't failed a single class this year. He even picked up A's in Maths, Geography and gym. I don't know why old Bellend had such a problem with him, he really is not as bad as his reputation!"
"Mmm, that man is glad he moved to England, the further away he is the happier I am" Jeff tells him.
"I bet you are. Come on, lets go and get rid of my 6th graders" Mr Morgan replies, smiling.
Together they leave the office Jeff joining Virgil, Scott, Alan and Lee in the audience with Gordons box.
John is waiting to be called to give his speech, he has read through the speech a hundred times, he cannot remember a single word.
He doesn't hear a word of Mr Morgans introduction speech and is surprised when his friend Jack starts to push him towards the stage.
John thinks he might be sick if he opens his mouth, looking out into the audience he spots his family. Alan is standing on his chair to get a better view, while Scott tries to pull him down. Well it cannot get much more embarrassing, John thinks. Smiling now he throws his flash cards over his shoulder.
"I spent days working on this speech, but you know what. None of what I thought was important matters. I studied hard and got straight A's. That was the most important thing in my life. I almost missed my brother's birthday weekend as I couldn't stand the thought of missing a single lesson, and I only went because my dad agreed to change our flight until after school. My whole life was in a textbook, every minute of my day meticulously planned. From what I ate for breakfast down to how many pages of my history book I could read on my way home from school. I didn't need to study every minute I was awake, and I want to apologise to everyone for being so caught up in winning that I neglected everything that is important."
John takes a moment to look at his dad, who for once is giving him his undivided attention.
"I know that next year everything for everyone here will change, we are all off to middle school, and my youngest brother is starting Kindergarten, and don't worry Allie, Gordon will look out for you, because he knows how to be a brother."
Alan has heard enough, slipping out of Scotts grasp, he runs through the crowd towards the stage. Jeff chasing after him as the audience roars with laughter.
"ALAN, GET BACK HERE!" Jeff calls.
"JOHNNY! YOU ARENT A TERRIBLE BROTHER. I LOVE YOU!" Alan shouts as he climbs up onto the stage. And throws himself at Johns legs.
John picks him up, getting him settled on his hip. Alan looks out at the audience, which is now his. "Happy Gaurduation Johnnys friends!" He says grinning.
"Well that went well!" John tells his dad, once he is off the stage and has been presented with his diploma.
"Could have been worse, how much of a troublemaker is Alan?" Mr Morgan asks.
"Somewhere in between Satan and Gordon!" Jeff replies grinning. "Alan is more enthusiastic than trouble though" he adds trying to reassure Mr Morgan.
"Dad? Grandmas on the phone, she wants to know why you aren't answering your mobile!" Virgil tells his dad interrupting, holding out his iPhone.
"Thanks Virg" he tells him, taking the phone.
"Mom, sorry I haven't got mine turned back on yet. What's wrong?"
"Meet me in the emergency room Jeff. It's Gordon" she replies.