Big Ol’ Drops:

Jim’s party was half way across town. But before we get there, I have to tell you about graduation. Now like I said before, it was just typical. Yet, that day didn’t turn out to be. Where to begin on this adventure? Hm…

Oh yeah, I’ll start with that morning. Started off boring enough. I got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and left for school. Your grandfather waited for me at the gate like we always did. He gave me that goofy grin of his.

“Ready to get this over with?” he asked. I pressed my lips together as I nodded.

“Yeah,” I said. We began our walk to freedom. That morning suddenly began to change. I walked with my boyfriend to school while we wore our robes. Your grandfather held my hand the whole time. He turned to me with a smile on his face.

“Did you tell them?” he asked. I blinked at him.

“Tell who what?” I asked.

“Your parents about me.”

“Oh… That.”

“Well, did you?”

“Yeah.”

Jim raised an eyebrow at me. “You ain’t lyin’, are ya?”

I frowned and hit his arm. “Just for that, I won’t tell you!”

Your grandfather blinked at me. “Huh? Why?”

“You know why!”

“No, I don’t.”

I sighed. “Why must your sound uneducated at times?”

Jim shrugged at me. “Habit?”

“You need to break that.”

“Fine, fine.” He went quiet for a moment. “So when will we meet them?”

“Dinner this evening,” I replied. “And yes I did tell them.” Jim looked me close in the eyes.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes,” I insisted. “I’m not lying!” Your grandfather tightly squeezed my hand.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll hold you to it.”

“Okay, okay,” I said. We didn’t say anymore until we got to school.

I hated that building now. There was nothing great about that. Everyone was fake there. They just pretended to be nice so that they can tear people down behind their backs. That was why I hated Texas. I wanted to get away so badly. Your grandfather seemed to offer that to me with open arms. He always wanted to go to New Orleans of Raleigh.

“Those sound like nice places,” I said last night. Jim grabbed me by the hands.

“Come with me,” he said. “I want you in my future.”

“Okay,” I said. So, I applied to the Big Easy for college. (Kind of weird to name the city “The Big Easy.” There wasn’t anything easy about it.) My parents wanted me to stay in Texas for college. Gave me motive not to apply there.

“I’m tired of Texas,” I said. “I want a new change in setting.” In the end, they let me go. All I needed to do now was graduate.

I made valedictorian that year. Your grandfather graduated with honors that year as well. Yes, yes, Frida. We were both nerdy. I gave the speech to my classmates and their families. I can’t stand them all! They all are fake and full of lies. I can’t wait to get out of that boring state! I smiled at that very thought. Even better would be the news that Jim would proudly give me that afternoon.

“Baby, I got my license yesterday!” he bragged. I squealed so loud I could break glass. From there, out plans built up brick by brick. Only things missing were money and the responses from St Mary’s Dominican College. That was his choice of school, not mine. I just wanted my escape.

But first, Jim had to meet my parents. Oh boy…

1984