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Now I’m crying.
“Oh, my girlies,” Grandpa says.
“I’m sure we’ll see you in a few weeks,” Grandma says. “No need for tears. You’re both strong. Young. Adventurous. It’s time to go live your lives.”
“But remember, don’t live them too hard if you want tokeepliving,” Grandpa says, cutting through the thick emotions.
Sarah and I each share a hug with Grandma and Grandpa and then Grandma hugs Aaron and Grandpa shakes his hand and gives him a slap on the shoulder.
He nods approvingly at the three of us.
“Take care of each other,” he says.
We look between ourselves and nod.
“Yes, sir,” I say.
And before any more tears can come, they send us on our way.
Aaron
After the lunchtime interrogation at Pete and Bea’s—and some sexy time with my girl in the woods—we came back to Joel’s for the party. The one where all of our friends from high school get together to say goodbye. Not the six of us, though we’re all here, but everyone else. Jesse, Nick, Leigh, Vince, Maia, Braden, Trevor, Hyla, Jamie, Greg, and Jenny. Even though some of them have already graduated, they’re still living in the area. Our friend group, Nick’s, and Trevor’s have always run together. Always at the same parties. Always causing trouble together. This is starting to feel like the real end of high school. We’re all moving on now. Even if we aren’t sure to what. That thought twists in my stomach, but I push it away. That’s not what tonight is about.
Pulling another set of spiedies and hot dogs from Joel’s dad’s fancy grill, I set them on the table for everyone else.
We’ve spent the day playing in the pool, playing wiffle ball between Rae and Joel’s backyard, and playing all kinds of other yard games. It’s been relaxing and nostalgic.
Trevor walks over and lifts the top off the cooler. “We’re out of beer,” he complains, giving me puppy dog eyes.
“You’re pathetic.” I shake my head. Not seeing Joel anywhere, I figure I’d better handle it or I’ll never hear the end of it. “I’ll be back.”
I head down to the basement and find Joel pulling out more cases of beer and soda.
“Ah, thank God. Trevor was very upset about the lack of beer.”
“He’ll settle right into college,” Joel jokes.
“That’s about right.”
“What about you?”
I look at him, uncertain. “What about me?”
“Are you ready for school?”
My face falters for a second, and I’m sure he notices. “Ah, I guess.”
“Convincing.”
“Joel—”
“No. Don’t—you know I’m here for you, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then talk to me. It’s gotta be hard losing baseball. Starting a new part of your life.”
“It is, but I can’t do anything about it.”
