Senior Year Box Set

“Believe me, I am fully aware of that fact. Honestly, that was the main reason I sold my business to you. You probably know how stressful it can be knowing that if you make a wrong step, it won’t hurt just you but also your family and friends,” I said.

“Stop,” she ordered. “Self-doubt doesn’t become you. You have good instincts, patience, and leadership skills beyond your years. On the other hand, you can be cocky and immature.”

“I honestly didn’t realize I was taking drugs, or I wouldn’t have. That being said, it wasn’t all bad. I feel closer to Scarlet and Ashley now. I know that’s not an excuse, but I thought you should know the facts,” I said.

“You’ve told me that one of your strengths is to seek advice and help from others. Let me give you some more. Be careful who you share information like that with. From what I understand, the weak link was your security man,” Grace said.

“What about Cassidy and Brook?” I grumped.

“Do you honestly think either of them would ever breathe a word that would hurt you?” Grace asked.

“I didn’t think Brook would dump me, either. How do I know?”

Grace gave me a look that clued me in that she’d just given me a life lesson. She finally smiled.

“You’re not alone, David. Every teenager is cocky and immature. They all think they know better until they discover they don’t. A lot of adults never learn that lesson. You’re a good kid who has a tendency to find himself in, let’s say, interesting situations. I’ll admit to having been in more than a few situations when I was your age,” she admitted. “But I didn’t have your responsibilities at that age.”

That was the crux of the matter.

“Thanks. I’ll let you have your meeting now,” I said as I got up to leave.

“David?”

“Yes?”

“Even though you’ve had to grow up faster than most, remember to have fun. According to my grandkids, there will be some parties this weekend to celebrate graduation.”

“I’m having one tomorrow,” I said.

“Have fun this weekend. You can be an adult come Monday.”

I just nodded and left.

◊◊◊

As I walked out, I spotted Manaia waiting for me.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said.

I sent Tim a text. He responded with one saying there were about thirty people at the lake and to bring more beer.

I sent him one back that I couldn’t get away. Of course, that wasn’t true; I wanted some time to think about what Grace had said. How did you balance fun with responsibility?

I had Manaia drop me off at home and gave him his orders. He was to buy several cases of beer, then stop at a drive-through and pick up a bunch of cheap burgers before going to the lake. I told him I planned to stay in tonight, so he could take off after that.

◊◊◊

At dinner, my parents were shocked that I didn’t plan to go out partying. I told them I had to fine-tune my speech for tomorrow. I ended up vegging out and watching some TV. It was sad that I found this so enjoyable. I always seemed to be on the go, and some alone time with my hound was exactly what I needed.

My phone buzzed with a text from Destiny, wanting to know where I was. When she’d announced her party at the assembly, the prospect of going to Destiny’s was about as alluring as sausage from a leper’s pocket.

I looked at my buddy Duke.

“Screw it. Like Grace said, I’ll become an adult after tomorrow. I could use a drink.”

He agreed with a wag of his tail.

“Come on. Let’s go to the house.”

Being a Lab, he was a social dog and didn’t like being stuck in the apartment if there were people around. I’d done that a couple of times, and he’d barked until someone came to get him. He’d finally trained me to do what he wanted.

I let him in the house and told my dad I was going to Destiny’s party.

“If you drink, don’t drive,” he said as his parting remarks.

◊◊◊

When I got to Destiny’s house, I wondered where all the cars were. I walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Destiny opened the door and stared at me, so I stared back.

“Do you want to come in?”

“No, I’d prefer to stand out on the stoop like some religious zealot,” I said.

“Get in here. The party’s out back,” Destiny said.

We walked through the house, and I heard music coming from the backyard. When we stepped through the sliding glass door, I decided all those hours watching The Twilight Zone had prepared me for this exact moment. I could even hear the theme song in my head. I had definitely entered a warped reality.

Destiny’s backyard had been transformed. There was a table with food that looked tempting. The yard was surrounded by a privacy fence that had been covered in white Christmas lights. It must have cost a fortune to buy them all. They gave off enough light that everyone could get around without a problem but weren’t so bright as to discourage a little fun.

It was that word ‘everyone’ that put this party into The Twilight Zone. ‘Everyone’ turned out to be me, Destiny, a DJ, and a bartender. If it weren’t sad somehow, it would’ve been funny. Even her own brother wasn’t here. He must be at the lake with the other baseball players.