The Long And Winding Road
Notes: The usual disclaimers apply, and remember that all episodes that came after "This Charming Man" aren't canon in this story.
Thanks to Maibe Josie, YellyBelly, JeSsTeR, spider-man-fan and GlamGlitterRockFabulous for your encouraging feedback on Chapter 47.
Chapter 48 - Graduation Day
Life at Degrassi Community School was even more hectic than usual on this particular afternoon. A graduation ceremony would soon begin and the auditorium was gradually filling up. Outside on the front steps, JT was hanging out with Sean and Manny.
"So Manny, is your brother here today?" JT asked.
"No, he couldn't get back to town. My parents are inside, though."
"Great. Is there still time for me to get a ring-side seat to watch them meet Sean?"
"Very funny," Sean said. "Anyway, you're too late, I met them a few minutes before you got here."
"And?"
"And nothing," Manny said. "They exchanged Hellos, shook hands…"
At that point Sean interrupted.
"Don't forget your father staring at me and saying 'So this is the guy.'"
"Hey, I told you they wouldn't be a problem and they weren't. Besides, even without meeting you they already kind of liked you. That is, after I had assured them that you weren't a musician."
JT laughed and Sean rolled his eyes.
"And what about Tracker?" JT then asked Sean. "He showed up, right?"
"Yeah," Sean answered. "He's around here somewhere."
"That's good," JT said.
"What about you, JT?" Manny asked. "Think your dad…"
"Manny," Sean quickly interrupted. "Don't."
"It's okay, Sean," JT assured. "No, I doubt my so-called father is going to show up today. No phone calls from him in the last few days telling me to roll out the red carpet for him. He wouldn't be interested in something like this anyway."
"Sorry JT," Manny said, regretful that she brought up the subject and hoping she hadn't unintentionally ruined his day. "I just thought maybe enough time had passed and…"
"It's okay, Manny. Hey, between Emma, her family and my friends, I've got a lot of true family here today. Much better than having that guy show up."
Soon, Patrick walked up the steps and joined them beside the entryway.
"How's it going?" he greeted them.
"Hey Pat," JT responded. "Just the person I needed to see today."
"Oh?"
"I think I'll head inside," Manny said to JT and Sean. "I'll join Emma in saying my goodbyes to Courtney if I can find the two of them. You two don't stay out here too long or you'll be late."
"We'll be in soon," Sean told her and then Manny went inside the school."
"Pat, I've hired someone to work full-time starting next week," JT informed him.
"I see," Patrick said without enthusiasm.
"I'm going to want you to help train him behind the concession counter. Shouldn't be hard. He's got experience. Just not theater experience."
"What's he like?"
"You might remember him. It's Spinner."
"Spinner? As in Spinner Mason?"
"God, just imagine if there was more than one guy walking around calling himself Spinner," Sean said sarcastically.
"You're kidding right?" Patrick asked JT. "I mean, this is some sort of JT Yorke Official End-Of-School Practical Joke you're playing on me to make me crazy."
"No. I hired him last night."
"Last night? JT, you weren't working last night."
"It was while we were at Burger Time," JT explained. "Spinner just kind of showed up while me and Sean were hanging out and…Long story."
"Look, I don't know the guy that well, but he seems like…well, an idiot."
"He's not," JT said. "Don't worry."
"What happened to wanting everyone to be professional?" Patrick complained. "You got on my case a few weeks ago for being late and now you go and hire a guy who – from what I hear – has been fired from more jobs in the past year than there are business listings in the phone book."
"It hasn't been that bad. He'll do fine."
"Okay," Patrick said with displeasure. "Just don't say I didn't warn you when you finally figure out he's a walking disaster."
Patrick walked past JT and Sean and inside the building.
"He'll come around," JT told Sean. "Anyway, it's not like he could have talked me into changing my mind."
"Aw…Trouble in Loser Paradise?" a sarcastic voice asked them from several feet away.
JT and Sean turned away from the door and saw Jay Hogart standing at the bottom of the steps.
Within the building, Emma and Courtney stood outside of the auditorium near the door talking.
"It's great that you and your family are getting a chance to go on vacation," Emma said. "It's just too bad you're leaving town first thing tomorrow morning. You sure you can't come out with us tonight?"
"Thanks, but I really need to finish packing. I'll be back in a few weeks and we can do something then. Maybe another one of those movie nights at your house."
"Good. And we can't put it off. It won't be that long after you're back before you'll have to leave again. This time for school."
"We'll still have plenty of time."
Out of the corner of her eye, Emma recognized someone in the distance.
"Excuse me for a minute, Courtney."
Emma walked down the crowded hallway until she reached the person she had noticed.
"Hi," she said. "It's been awhile."
At the same time, Liberty was standing in the Grapevine newsroom reading over note cards as Patrick looked on.
"What's wrong with him?" Patrick asked Liberty.
"Wrong with whom?" Liberty responded, still trying to concentrate.
"JT."
"Nothing's wrong with him," she said decidedly. "Why do you ask?"
"Weren't you listening? He's bringing in Spinner Mason. Full-time."
"Are you fired?"
"No."
"Then there's no problem."
"I just don't get him sometimes," Patrick continued.
"Spinner?"
"No!" he said, annoyed that his girlfriend didn't seem to be paying attention. "JT. Between his friendship with Sean Cameron – who should probably be in jail considering his past – and now hiring Spinner…I tell you Liberty, Emma Nelson may be the one interested in animal rights, but JT seems to be the one constantly taking in useless strays."
"Don't you think you're exaggerating?" Liberty asked, finally looking up from her reading.
"He could have offered ME the chance to move up to full-time."
"Is that what this is about? Patrick, you're attending school this Fall. He needs someone he can rely on long-term. Plus, he probably knows that taking you away from your other part-time job – working at your family's place – might put your parents in a bind. Gavin Mason might seem an unusual selection, but I'm certain JT knows what he's doing and has made a sound decision."
"Naturally," Patrick said sarcastically. "Of course, you'd sooner walk barefoot across hot coals than ever say that JT Yorke could be wrong about anything."
"What?"
"Liberty, I'm trying to tell you that I'm disappointed with one of his decisions. Can't you at least consider my point of view before immediately taking JT's side?"
"There are no sides," Liberty argued. "He made a business decision as an employer. You, as an employee, disagree with it but will have to deal with it. There's no reason to involve me."
"Except you're my girlfriend and it would be nice to come to you with something that's bugging me and not automatically hear that I'm wrong or exaggerating. I think if the positions were reversed and JT worked for me, you'd be in my face trying to convince me to get rid of the person I just hired and give JT the better job no matter what reasons I had for why I hired the other guy."
"Patrick, I don't always agree with JT. When I don't, I'm certainly not afraid to tell him."
"But you feel guilty when you have to. I know you seem to think he's the greatest guy in the world, but can't you even try to keep your JT bias under control one time?"
"I've told you before and will tell you again – I am not in love with JT. He's very important to me, but those particular feelings for him – those of a romantic nature – are part of the past."
"I know. But you've also said he's your best friend. That's fine, but if you're not too busy you might try and remember that I'M your boyfriend."
By this time, Liberty was frowning. She'd had enough.
"The only one that's trying to compare you with JT is you. Although I will say that at least JT would never come in here and pick a fight with me right before I have to go out and make a speech."
Patrick sighed. He didn't want to argue with her and he certainly didn't want to upset her.
"You're right, Liberty. I shouldn't have started this. Like you said, JT needs someone else there working full-time who won't have to give it up in a few months. It just caught me off guard, especially considering his choice. And I know his friendship is important to you. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
"I suppose," she replied, her anger slowly melting away.
"Anyway, it's up to me to help train the guy."
"See? You're hardly being left out of the loop."
Patrick decided to move the conversation on to a more upbeat topic.
"I can't wait to see you up there in a few minutes giving your speech, Ms. Valedictorian."
"I'll be glad when it's over."
"Don't worry, Liberty. You're ready. The speech will be fine."
"I'm not worried, Patrick," Liberty said matter-of-factly. "I am not someone who worries. Occasionally I might have reason to feel apprehensive, but a worrier I am not."
"And what's the difference between worry and apprehension?"
"Worriers tend to fret and even perspire," she explained. "That is not me."
"Well whatever you are, we should get to the auditorium."
"Go on ahead, since you'll need to find out where you're supposed to sit. I'm to sit up on stage, so I'll go in soon."
"Okay. Good luck, Liberty."
He gave her a brief kiss and then started toward the door, but then he turned back around.
"We're okay. Right?"
Liberty decided that even though she was not wrong, perhaps she could have tried harder to look at things from Patrick's perspective. Feeling that they were now indeed okay, she walked over toward him and this time she initiated a kiss. This one lasted longer than the previous kiss.
"Still think I need a reminder that you're my boyfriend?" she asked afterward.
"We are definitely okay," Patrick said, pleased with and reassured by Liberty's kiss. "I'll see you soon."
He then left the room and she returned to studying her note cards. Patrick knew that Liberty was being honest about having only platonic feelings for JT, but there were moments when he believed that she would never feel the same connection to him as she did to her best friend. Still, he believed Liberty was worth it. He now felt that perhaps not getting the full-time job wouldn't be so bad. It would give the couple more time to have a fun summer together.
Emma, meanwhile, stood at the back of the auditorium in the midst of conversation.
"It's good to see you again, Tracker," she said to Sean's older brother. "And though he probably wouldn't admit it out loud, I know Sean's got to be very happy you're here today."
"I've gotta say, Emma, for awhile there I had my doubts that I'd ever be in this place for this reason, getting ready to watch Sean graduate."
"You must be very proud of him," Emma said.
"Yeah. Graduating from school. Working at a job where he can really use his skills. And he's got himself some real friends again and not that trash he'd gotten mixed up with. Congratulations to you too, Emma. Sean's told me he's never seen you as happy as you are now."
"It's been a great year," Emma explained, "but even still, I think the best is yet to come."
Outside, Sean stood on the steps next to JT, the person he had come to consider his closest friend, while looking down at Jay, the person he once – regrettably – thought of as his closest friend.
"Jay Hogart," JT said with a smirk on his face. "Proof that no matter how good you exterminate the place, pests have a way of coming back."
"Don't even try to take me on, JT Dork."
"As clever as you are? I wouldn't dream of it. I mean, nobody's thought to change 'Yorke' to 'Dork' since at least Grade 4. You're an insult genius."
"What are you doing here?" Sean asked, clearly not thrilled by Jay's sudden appearance.
"I just had to see for myself, Cameron. You actually fooled those people in there into thinking you were smart enough to graduate?"
"I guess we all can't be like you and get expelled," Sean answered.
"Yeah," JT added, "Raditch tossing you out of here a couple years ago has to be up there as one of the smartest things he's ever done as principal. But I forget why he got rid of you. Was it because you were one part thug and two parts idiot? Or was it two parts thug and one part idiot? I always get it mixed up."
"Shut up before I shut you up."
JT rolled his eyes, not impressed with Jay's tough talk.
"Feel free to leave anytime, Jay," Sean interjected.
"Look, Cameron. You were never anything special. But at least you had a chance at something real when I let you hang out with me."
"See, Sean," JT said casually, "this is Jay referring to that elite group of his that thought prancing around the halls frowning while stealing school supplies made people afraid. Yeah, afraid we wouldn't be able to stop laughing."
"Nobody ever laughed at me," Jay protested. "They wouldn't dare."
"Is there a point to any of this?" Sean asked.
"Making you a part of my group was the best thing that could have happened to you. Not like anyone else gave a damn about you or ever will. But, no, you had to go and get picky.
"By getting picky," JT followed up, "I think he means getting a conscience."
"You weren't too good to steal stuff right along with me. For months. But when it came time to start getting rough with some people to make sure we'd get what we want, you decide you're better than all that. I got news for you. No matter how good you think you are now, that guy who used to be right there with me, when we did whatever we wanted just for the hell of it, THAT'S who you really are. Some piece of crap diploma can't change that."
Jay then pointed to JT.
"Hanging out with losers like this can't change it either," Jay added.
"Go to hell, Jay," Sean responded calmly, determined not to allow Jay to make him lose his temper.
"Someday. And when I get there, I'll save a place for you, Cameron. You'll show up there sooner or later. But have fun today, acting like you're just like the rest of them."
Jay then turned and walked away.
"Give my regards to your fellow dregs of humanity," JT called out.
Without turning around, Jay raised up his right arm and extended his middle finger while continuing to walk away.
"Not very classy," JT said, "but a better comeback than if he had tried to speak. Even HE seems a little smarter when he doesn't try to use words."
JT then turned back to Sean.
"You okay?" JT asked.
"Yeah."
"You know none of that stuff he said was true."
"I know," Sean responded. "Jay was just being his usual dumbass self. I just can't believe I didn't see it back then. That I bought into all of that."
"That was a long time ago, Sean. Beyond ancient history."
"Never again," Sean said with confidence.
"No doubts about that. Now lets get inside and find Emma and Manny. It's almost time to put on those silly looking graduation caps."
"JT, we've seen you with a lampshade on your head before. Don't tell me you're going to start getting critical now."
"Very funny."
A short time later, the graduating class was all seated in the first several rows of the auditorium and the ceremony began.
Christine "Spike" Nelson sat slightly further back, young Jack sitting on her lap so he would be able to see everything. She watched as her husband, sitting among those on stage, stood up and made the opening remarks. Though Spike had never considered herself a particularly religious person, in the past several years not a day went by that she didn't say a silent prayer of thanks that Snake had survived the cancer. She was especially happy he was alive on this day to see Emma graduate. It had taken time, but she knew that her daughter had come to see him as a father, and that Snake couldn't love Emma more even if she were biologically his own.
Spike then rolled her eyes as Dan Raditch was the next person to make some comments. She noted that he sounded just as smug and full of self-importance as he did back when she attended school and he was a teacher. Still, she believed it wouldn't feel like Degrassi without him.
Soon, Liberty went to the podium. Though she had taken her note cards with her, she didn't once look down at them. If she was nervous, it didn't show in her demeanor. There were a couple of instances in her speech where she included humorous comments. Spike noticed that the wording sounded slightly different than the rest of the speech; sounding more like something JT might say. Spike had a hunch that Liberty must have asked JT for a few remarks she could add to her speech to punch it up. It had the desired effect, giving moments of levity to an already good oration.
Eventually, the main event began as names were called out, seniors walked forward and onto the stage and they each received a diploma. Going alphabetically, that put Emma near the middle of the bunch. While Jack waved upon seeing his big sister in the spotlight, Spike was both watching her daughter and feeling around in her purse for a tissue to wipe away the oncoming tears forming in her eyes.
Spike loved both of her children very much, but felt a special bond with Emma. This was her firstborn. Her only daughter. And for many years, the one constant in this mother's life. Spike felt that, in many ways, she and Emma had grown up together. Both of them as a team learning how to survive and succeed despite – and because of – life's many obstacles. Though it was far from easy, and there were plenty of mistakes made, to Spike this only made the present feeling of accomplishment that much greater.
Emma's mother watched as more names were announced and more diplomas handed out. Near the end, it became JT's turn to walk across the stage. Upon seeing him, Jack once again waved with enthusiasm.
Prior to the ceremony, Spike had scanned the auditorium. She doubted that JT's father would put in an appearance, but a part of her had hoped that perhaps something existed deep inside the man that would make him feel the need to be there to watch this public recognition of his son's educational accomplishments. She also knew it was probably for the best that the man, true to form, was a no-show.
Watching JT on the stage, Spike saw the little boy who would do crazy things like encourage Emma to join him in hanging upside down on the playground monkey bars making monkey-like sounds, and she also saw the responsible young man who was still encouraging Emma to try new things…and loving her.
Spike had always liked JT, but one of the things she had come to appreciate most about him was the great respect he showed toward her daughter. There was obvious mutual respect between JT and Emma, even when they didn't always agree with one another. Even when they didn't always understand one another. She'd always told Emma to never let anyone get away with disrespecting her or trying to make her feel like something less than what she was. Whatever direction the relationship took in the future, Spike believed that this respect would hold the couple in good stead.
Yes, Spike was very proud of BOTH of her graduates on this day.
Much later that night, Emma led JT by the hand into his office at The Movie Difference.
"What are we doing here, Emma?"
"You'll see," she replied while turning on his desk lamp.
"I still had lots of partying left in me."
"I know, JT. And when you started to yell out suggesting a limbo contest, I knew it was time for a break."
"But I'm not tired."
"I meant a break for everyone else."
"You wound me," JT said, clutching his heart.
"Tough love. But don't worry. We'll go back soon enough. Anyway, this place has closed for the night. Sal already locked up and went home. This is the perfect opportunity."
"For what?" JT was curious.
"For you to finally make this your office."
"It's been my office for a month."
"I mean for real. I know you haven't felt like this theater was officially yours yet, even though you've paid for it and you take care of all the important business. But a few hours ago we graduated. That part of our lives is done. In a couple of days you'll be here full-time. No more advisory presence of the previous owner. Or trying to balance work with school. I wanted a quiet moment here with you beforehand."
Emma then reached into her purse and pulled out a slender box.
"Here," she said, handing him the box.
"Emma, I didn't know we were supposed to get each other graduation presents. I don't…"
Emma stopped him with a brief kiss.
"It's not for graduation," she explained. "It's more of a…well, I suppose housewarming isn't the right word. Business warming. That's it. Consider this a business warming gift."
JT opened the box. Inside was a metal nameplate for his desk. Silver with black lettering that said "JT Yorke" on the upper half and "Proprietor" in smaller letters underneath.
"Emma…"
"You didn't have a desk nameplate and you hadn't said anything about getting one. So…voila!"
"You shouldn't…"
"And if you tell me I shouldn't have gone to all the trouble," Emma interrupted, "or shouldn't have spent the money, I'll have to hit you over the head with it."
JT laughed.
"It didn't cost that much, but even if it had it would have been worth it. Because you're worth it. It and a whole lot more."
"Thanks, angel."
JT placed the nameplate front and center on his desk.
"You're welcome. Actually, the gift was just to butter you up," Emma joked. "I want you in a good mood since you know I'm going to keep a close eye on you to make sure this place steers clear of any and all health code violations."
"Oh, is that so?" JT asked, smiling as he pulled Emma closer to him.
"Wouldn't be good to have your girlfriend out front picketing."
"Emma, I'm sure we can always find…peaceful ways to communicate."
JT then kissed her.
"Love you Jamie."
"Love you too. And it really is a good thing you gave me that nameplate."
"Oh?"
"You know how you effect me, Emma. Kissing you this way…and holding you this way…soon I won't even be able to remember what my name is."
Emma smiled.
"Welcome to your office, JT Yorke."