Saturday June 13, 1987
The guests were beginning to arrive at the Orton home. Judi and the Orton's were hosting a large combined graduation party for Randy and Chevonne. Judi and Elaine were busy helping the caterers set up food in the back yard. Bob had several party tents set up in the back yard as well. Judi had worked hard and made them a beautiful graduation cake. There was also set up a picture table with pictures of both kids growing up through the years. To anyone who did not know them, it seemed like a party for real siblings.
"You ready for your party?" Bob asked as Chevonne wandered into the back yard.
"I am. I have enjoyed the past few days." She smiled.
"What's wrong? I can always tell when something is bothering you." He looked at her. "Your eyes give you away."
"I guess I am kinda sad. Randy and me will be going to different colleges. I've never been away from him." She said.
"You both will have to adjust. But you will be fine. Nothing will break the bond you two have." He assured her.
"I guess it is just the nerves of big changes. Leaving Walkerton, going to college, leaving my family and friends." She said. "Growing pains I guess."
"You will be fine. You are strong. You kids will see each other at breaks. And you will have Roman in Atlanta with you." He told her.
"Thanks Papa Orton." She hugged him.
"Chevonne, some of your friends are here." Elaine called.
She looked up and saw Roman, the twins, and Seth and Dean walking out of the house. Randy was sitting with his grandparents. She hurried over to her friends.
"Hey guys, glad to see you." She hugged them.
"Thanks for inviting us." Dean said.
"Hey, friends of Roman's are friends of mine." She smiled.
"Oh we found this outside. I guess someone forgot it on the steps in the hustle and bustle of everything." Jey handed her a wrapped present. "It's addressed to you."
"Wonder who it is from? So far the only people here are Randy's family." She said.
"Well open it. Maybe it is from Bob and Elaine or something." Jimmy said.
Chevonne sat down in one of the chairs in a tent and began opening the gift. "Where are your parents?"
"They stopped to get a few drinks but they are here." Roman said. "Mom has her camera."
"Oh so does Elaine. She made me and Randy do a dozen photos already." She chuckled.
She lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a beautiful wooden music box. She lifted it out of the box. She opened the box and it began playing 'Over the Rainbow'. She smiled.
"What a beautiful gift….I wonder who it is from?" she smiled.
"There isn't a card?" Dean looked in the empty box.
"No, but it is a lovely gift. I will ask around so I can thank whoever gave it to me." She smiled. "Help yourselves to anything you want. I have to make the rounds. Some of mom's work friends just walked out."
She hurried off to greet the newly arrived guests. While Chevonne spoke with some of the ladies her mom worked with, Randy went to greet some of his family that was arriving. The kids grabbed a few sodas and staked out a tent to hang out in. Naomi soon joined them. When Mrs. Reigns came outside, she gathered up Roman to get his picture taken with Chevonne.
"Mom is this really needed?" Roman asked as his mother had him and Chevonne stand by the graduation cake.
"Are you kidding? You have a lovely girlfriend and this is her party." Mrs. Reigns smiled.
"It's not so bad. I am thankful that so many people love me enough to want pictures. It's better than being the little bastard thrown in the corner and forgot about." She said.
Roman looked at her. She shook her head. "Sorry, this morning when I woke up…I began wondering about my fath…sperm donor."
"You okay?" he asked.
"I am fine. I decided I am going to celebrate what I have worked 13 years for. And I am gonna enjoy it with the people that have been here and that do love me." She smiled.
"Glad to hear it." He smiled at her.
Mrs. Reigns snapped off a few photos. She hurried over and hugged Chevonne. "I'm going to get some food. We placed your gift on the table with the others."
"Okay, thank you." She hugged her.
Chevonne took Roman's hand and they walked out of the tent.
"You sure you are okay?" Roman asked her.
"Oh yeah I am fine. Just did a lot of thinking today. About leaving home, being away from Randy. But this morning, when I first woke up…I had a few moments where I wondered….I wondered if my sperm donor has kept count of the years. Does he realize the child he left behind is grown and graduated?" she asked.
"Would it matter to you if he does realize it?" Roman asked.
She shook her head. "No. Papa Orton is my dad. I think I am finally done worrying about someone I don't know."
"That is good." He hugged her. "I got you a gift too."
"Really?" she turned and looked at him.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long, thin box. He handed it to her. She opened the box and saw inside a silver ankle bracelet with a butterfly in the middle.
"Roman, it is beautiful." She hugged him. "I love it. Thank you."
"I am glad you like it." He kissed her.
"Come on, let's go see our friends. Cody and Brandi are here." She held his hand. "Oh look there is John Cena, he is talking with Randy." She waved to him.
They joined their friends in the tent who had gotten some food from the buffet. She hugged Cody and Brandi and sat down with her friends between Roman and Dean.
"Dean, Seth, thank you guys for coming. I am so glad you came even though we only met a few days ago." She smiled.
"Thanks for inviting us. Besides we love hanging out with Roman and his friends. You guys have been cool since we got here." Dean said.
"I am glad you guys came to see Roman, he has missed you guys. And I am enjoying hanging out with you guys." She smiled.
"Brandi so glad you guys made it. Are your parents here? I want to make sure I see them." Chevonne asked.
"They are talking to the Orton's. They will be around." Brandi said.
"Hey everyone." Cena joined them. "Congrats Chevonne." He hugged her.
"Glad you came." She said as he sat down.
"Me and Jey have been talking…..we were thinking that maybe we should do a graduation trip up to the cabin at the lake. Go up and stay a week. It would be great to celebrate and spend time together. Maybe after the parties are all over. What do you think?" Jimmy asked.
"I think it is a great idea. I am in." Naomi said.
"I dunno if I am up for a whole week….but I might do a few days. I am still…." Cody tried to find the right words.
"We understand. You know we understand." Chevonne said.
"When Cody goes up, I will go with him." Brandi said.
"You are welcome too John." Jey said.
"Sounds like fun." John said.
"Chevonne, you think your parents would let you?" Roman asked.
"I think they will. Especially if Randy goes. Besides, I am not missing the chance to spend some time on the boat with you." She giggled.
"Hey there is Ted and Kristin. Maybe they will want to go." Jey said.
"Be gentle about asking. He is having a rough time doing things without Brett." Brandi said.
"Chevonne, someone wants to see you." Judi called to her across the lawn.
"Be back in a bit. Continue to help yourselves to whatever you want." She stood up and hurried across the lawn to where her mom was standing with some guests.
Ted and Kristin joined the others at the table while Randy and Chevonne continued to make the rounds greeting guests.
"The kids seem to be doing great. Hard to believe it has just been a month." Sika said to Bob. Several of the parents were seated under one of the tents eating and talking.
"Chevonne's nightmares have improved. She and Randy have been taking care of each other." Bob said.
"The twins are doing better. Naomi too. I think counseling has helped them a lot." Fatu said.
"The counselor told me that the kids are young enough that they will bounce back quickly. They will never forget what happened or their friends, but they will be okay." Ted, Sr. said.
"He may be right. These past few days the kids have been all smiles and fun." Bob said.
For the next few hours Chevonne and Randy were both busy making sure they spoke to all the guests that had come to celebrate with them. All the kids' parents were glad the kids were having fun. Chevonne and Randy went together to speak to some of the families both knew. It was in the backs of both their minds that they missed Brett and Dustin, but they didn't say anything.
"Have you talked to the twins yet? They are talking about going up to the lake for a week." Chevonne asked Randy as they walked through the yard.
"Yeah, Jey told me about it. You want to go?" Randy asked.
"I do. I think it would be great….go relax and enjoy a week with friends." She smiled.
"I am going. I think it would be nice. Maybe something we need. Been a rough month." He said.
"Think our parents will be okay with it?" she asked.
"I am sure we can talk them into it. If Fatu is letting the twins go, that is already a huge step." Randy smiled. "Come on, mom wants to cut the cake soon."
(5pm)
The party was winding down. The only ones left were the kids and their families. The kids were seated in the tent they had claimed earlier talking and finishing up some of the food. The parents were helping Bob, Elaine and Judi in the cleanup.
"Did you ever find out who sent you the music box?" Seth asked Chevonne.
"I asked mom. She says a few people she works with at the all night market wanted to come but weren't able to. One of them must've dropped it off and forgot to sign the card." She shrugged.
"I am kidnapping Chevonne's mom. This is the best cake…..I swear I am in love. She is single right. Maybe she likes younger men." Seth chuckled eating cake.
"That's disturbing." Roman laughed.
"Roman, I love the gift your mom bought me. It was basket full of towels and washcloths. That will be great to take to college with me." She said.
"Mom really likes you." Roman smiled.
"Teddy, how you holding up? I know the past few days have been busy." Randy asked him.
"Hanging in there. As much fun as the past few days have been…..there is an empty space in all the fun. Brett should be here." Ted sighed.
"We miss him too." Jimmy said.
"You sure you don't want to come to the lake with us?" Naomi asked.
"I am sure. I might drive up and spend a day with you guys or something but I don't want to go for a whole week…wouldn't feel right." Ted said.
"Naomi, Chevonne would you girls do the shopping for the week?" Jey asked.
"Yeah, we'll probably have to do most the cooking anyway." Naomi said.
"I'll take them the morning we drive up." Roman said.
"John what would you like to eat that week? Anything special?" Chevonne asked.
"Nah, whatever you guys usually eat is fine." He shrugged.
"Make sure you get stuff for s'mores." Jimmy said.
"I am so excited that you came up with this idea. I think a week at the cabin will be a nice graduation trip." Randy said.
"We should go shopping to pick up some stuff before we go. We will need bug spray and some citronella candles." Naomi said.
"And we will need some charcoal. I think we used the last of it when we were up there last time." Jey said.
"Tomorrow is Roman's party, we will make out a list before we go." Jimmy said.
"We got a lot of parties this week." Kristin said.
"Yeah, it is great to have so much to celebrate." Randy said.