the
four
of
us.
Jesse was so happy. I could see how proud he was, how accomplished he felt.
He looked older, more mature, like a man. Jesse was really never a boy, but
seeing him standing there with his uniform on, ready to embark on one of the
most dangerous, heroic jobs in the world and showing no fear, it had made him
a
man.
We went out to dinner. My grandparents insisted on taking Jesse out to celebrate.
It was their gift to him. Hank didn’t show up for the graduation. Jesse hadn’t
spoken to him in weeks. They were still estranged. It made me feel sad for both
of them, especially Jesse. It had to hurt him even if he had decided he was
severing his relationship with his father. But it still had to hurt to not have him
there on one of the most important days in his life. His father knew he was
graduating, too. He knew. He just chose not to come. I had heard that he got
another job, but he was still drinking his nights away. I don’t know who he got to
pick him up in the middle of the night at bars because it wasn’t Jesse anymore.
After dinner, we went back to my grandparents’ house for dessert. Nana made
Jesse’s favorite–apple pie. Even my grandfather was allowed to have a slice.
Nana said on this occasion, she’d make one exception. I didn’t tell her that he
snuck a slice here and there on days we worked together. No one could resist
her pies. I only hoped to make pies as good as her one day. She had been
teaching me, giving me instructions in the kitchen, and I managed to make a few
decent
pies.
But
they
were
never
as
good
as
hers.
With full stomachs from finishing off the rest of the pie, we sat around the dinner
table listening to my grandfather tell stories. He was a gifted storyteller. They
were always entertaining and descriptive. I could always picture myself right there
with
him
in
the
midst
of
his
shenanigans.
He told us the story about the night he and Nana eloped. “Lilly had to climb out
of her two story window and use a rope I had given to her. The rope was too thin
and it snapped, causing her to hit the ground from the second story of her house.
Luckily she wasn’t hurt, just a little scuffed up and dirty from the wet grass,” he
said and chuckled. “We drove off in my old Plymouth and didn’t make it very far.
The car battery died on our way to the Justice of the Peace. We had to hitchhike
in the middle of the night, and we were out in the countryside. The only ride that
we were offered was by a pig farmer who stank like manure.” We all laughed and
he continued. “By the time we reached the Justice of the Peace, we smelled, and
Lilly was filthy from the fall. The ceremony didn’t go off without a hitch, either.
They had a water pipe burst and the ceiling caved. Buckets of water fell on top of
us just as the minister gave his blessing. With all that happened, you’d think we
would have taken it as some type of sign, but we didn’t. I don’t believe in stupid
superstitions anyway. Now our honeymoon, we won’t tell you about that. That’s
a
story
for
another
time.”
We all laughed. The mood was upbeat and happy. I wanted it to stay that way
forever.
But
somehow
I
knew
it
wouldn’t.
“So
you
passed
your
state
boards?”
Grandpa
asked
Jesse.
“Yes sir. Earlier this week. Now I just need to get a job,” he answered.
“Any
prospects?”
Grandpa
asked.
“I’ve
got
an
interview
in
Hendersonville
in
a
few
days.”
“Hendersonville?” I said. That was in North Carolina, which was even further
away from Harrison which meant he’d be further away from me.
“Yeah.” He looked at me with a serious expression. “They called me yesterday.
It
all
just
happened.”
I didn’t say anything. I sat there with my arms folded against my chest and sulked.
Nana looked in my direction and said “I think we’re going to bed.” She and my
grandfather stood up. My grandfather
four
of
us.
Jesse was so happy. I could see how proud he was, how accomplished he felt.
He looked older, more mature, like a man. Jesse was really never a boy, but
seeing him standing there with his uniform on, ready to embark on one of the
most dangerous, heroic jobs in the world and showing no fear, it had made him
a
man.
We went out to dinner. My grandparents insisted on taking Jesse out to celebrate.
It was their gift to him. Hank didn’t show up for the graduation. Jesse hadn’t
spoken to him in weeks. They were still estranged. It made me feel sad for both
of them, especially Jesse. It had to hurt him even if he had decided he was
severing his relationship with his father. But it still had to hurt to not have him
there on one of the most important days in his life. His father knew he was
graduating, too. He knew. He just chose not to come. I had heard that he got
another job, but he was still drinking his nights away. I don’t know who he got to
pick him up in the middle of the night at bars because it wasn’t Jesse anymore.
After dinner, we went back to my grandparents’ house for dessert. Nana made
Jesse’s favorite–apple pie. Even my grandfather was allowed to have a slice.
Nana said on this occasion, she’d make one exception. I didn’t tell her that he
snuck a slice here and there on days we worked together. No one could resist
her pies. I only hoped to make pies as good as her one day. She had been
teaching me, giving me instructions in the kitchen, and I managed to make a few
decent
pies.
But
they
were
never
as
good
as
hers.
With full stomachs from finishing off the rest of the pie, we sat around the dinner
table listening to my grandfather tell stories. He was a gifted storyteller. They
were always entertaining and descriptive. I could always picture myself right there
with
him
in
the
midst
of
his
shenanigans.
He told us the story about the night he and Nana eloped. “Lilly had to climb out
of her two story window and use a rope I had given to her. The rope was too thin
and it snapped, causing her to hit the ground from the second story of her house.
Luckily she wasn’t hurt, just a little scuffed up and dirty from the wet grass,” he
said and chuckled. “We drove off in my old Plymouth and didn’t make it very far.
The car battery died on our way to the Justice of the Peace. We had to hitchhike
in the middle of the night, and we were out in the countryside. The only ride that
we were offered was by a pig farmer who stank like manure.” We all laughed and
he continued. “By the time we reached the Justice of the Peace, we smelled, and
Lilly was filthy from the fall. The ceremony didn’t go off without a hitch, either.
They had a water pipe burst and the ceiling caved. Buckets of water fell on top of
us just as the minister gave his blessing. With all that happened, you’d think we
would have taken it as some type of sign, but we didn’t. I don’t believe in stupid
superstitions anyway. Now our honeymoon, we won’t tell you about that. That’s
a
story
for
another
time.”
We all laughed. The mood was upbeat and happy. I wanted it to stay that way
forever.
But
somehow
I
knew
it
wouldn’t.
“So
you
passed
your
state
boards?”
Grandpa
asked
Jesse.
“Yes sir. Earlier this week. Now I just need to get a job,” he answered.
“Any
prospects?”
Grandpa
asked.
“I’ve
got
an
interview
in
Hendersonville
in
a
few
days.”
“Hendersonville?” I said. That was in North Carolina, which was even further
away from Harrison which meant he’d be further away from me.
“Yeah.” He looked at me with a serious expression. “They called me yesterday.
It
all
just
happened.”
I didn’t say anything. I sat there with my arms folded against my chest and sulked.
Nana looked in my direction and said “I think we’re going to bed.” She and my
grandfather stood up. My grandfather
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