“Oh, aren’t you just the dashing graduate,” my great-aunt Evelyn greeted me the next morning. I didn’t know she was coming, but I was never shocked to see her.
“Thanks for coming, Aunt Evelyn.”
“Well I couldn’t miss my nephew’s big day. I was vacationing with Victor in Prague, but I was able to fly in late last night.”
Victor Johnson? I wondered.
I had slept late that morning and was rushing around to get dressed for graduation. I was excited about the last day of school and was equally looking forward to seeing Jessica after the Tunnel of Love and the bus ride home. I knew, now, that it was time to ask her out for real, and for the first time all year, I was sure she’d say yes.
The family piled into the car and drove me to school. I was dropped off at the front and my parents, aunt, and Penny went into the gym to reserve the best seats.
Pretty soon I joined the rest of the class and noticed how dressed up everyone was. Slim was actually wearing a tuxedo. “Hey 007, you all set for graduation?” I asked. He just gave me a look that told me he was miserable. The tuxedo might have fit him the last time he wore it, but now it was so tight around his stomach that two buttons had actually popped off.
Why do moms put their sons through the agony of dressy clothes? I wondered.
All the girls wore dresses and had corsages wrapped around their wrists. We didn’t have caps and gowns, since Mrs. Lutzkraut had said they were only for high school kids. According to her, we were just finishing our time at Baber and moving up to middle school and therefore, not truly graduating. That woman sure knew how to spoil every occasion—which I was about to be reminded of one last time.
Not counting Mrs. Lutzkraut, everyone was excited, and Rishi looked ready to burst. “Hey Rodney, I have a little surprise cooked up today.” I looked at his twinkling eyes and thought: Here we go again.
“Rishi, don’t do anything crazy. I just want to enjoy the moment. . . .”
“Don’t worry, you’re going to love it. Probably more than anyone. Besides, it’s too late for me to change anything now.” There was nothing I could do, so hopefully I really would like his surprise. Besides, what trouble could he possibly cook up on the last day?
Before long, we were walking down to the gym where the ceremony was taking place. Ms. Dearing’s class was already filing in and I could hear Mrs. Panic playing “Pomp and Circumstance” on the piano. Just as our class was getting ready to sit in our seats on the stage, I noticed Mrs. Lutzkraut. She still had that strange smile on her face. I’d been down this road too many times before and knew bad news was coming before she opened her mouth. She motioned me aside.
“After your actions yesterday, I went straight to Mr. Feebletop. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if he held back your diploma.”
Could he do that? Would he do that? I tried not to worry and took a seat after Kayla. We were sitting alphabetically, and I was happy that Rishi’s last name was Singh and just after mine.
He sat down and laughed. “Did you see Josh? I think his chin is wired shut. He looks ridiculous. Oh man, I can’t wait for my surprise.”
As we said the pledge and sang “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” I looked out at all the parents and teachers. Occasionally flashes from cameras flickered in the audience. Finally, Mr. Feebletop took the podium. “Congratulations to our graduates. We will now begin to call students up to receive their diplomas. I will call each student alphabetically, and I assure you, we will pause long enough for a nice picture.” I saw Dave’s dad inching down the aisle, camera ready. “Okay, we will begin with David Anderson.” Dave was met by applause and some cheers, the loudest coming from Kayla on my right.
“Rodney, doesn’t he look good in a tie?”
“Uh, I guess.” I wasn’t really paying attention to Kayla, or even the large crowd of family members sitting in the audience looking up at us. I was watching Mrs. Lutzkraut standing next to Mr. Feebeltop. She saw me and gave me a little wave. I looked away from her and continued quietly watching other students receive their diplomas.
“Kayla Radisson,” Mr. Feebletop called out. She got up and walked to the podium wearing a big smile. This was it. I was next. Mr. Feebletop cleared his throat and coughed for a brief second, and then said, “This morning I was met by the next graduate’s teacher. She implored me not to hand out his diploma with everyone else’s. She mentioned that it wasn’t what he deserved, and I realized she was right. You see, some students continually do things that separate them from the group, and they don’t deserve to be treated the same as everyone else. Yes, some students do so much more that they deserve special recognition.”
A smile spread across my face and I let out a sigh of relief. The same couldn’t be said of Mrs. Lutzkraut. She looked horrified as Mr. Feebletop continued. “Yes, this year I’ve been astounded by one young man who has impressed me more than any student I can remember, so I wholeheartedly agree with his teacher that he deserves a little extra recognition.”
“No!” Mrs. Lutzkraut screeched.
Mr. Feebletop laughed. “No? I realize, Mrs. Lutzkraut, that you want to make this a special moment, but I think he should receive his diploma now. Let us formally invite our Star Student of the Year up here.”
“But, but, but . . .” Mrs. Lutzkraut looked like she was on the verge of collapse. Mr. Feebletop reached back and patted her shoulder.
“I know it’s very hard to say good-bye to one of your favorites, Mrs. Lutzkraut, but all good things must come to an end. Rodney Rathbone, come on up here. . . .”
The crowd roared as I walked to Mr. Feebletop. He reached out and shook my hand. After the clapping died down he continued. “Mrs. Lutzkraut, you may do the honors.” He handed her my diploma. She just stood there, face twitching.
“Mrs. Lutzkraut? Rodney’s diploma?” She looked like she had eaten something rotten. Mr. Feebletop turned back to the microphone. “She’s overcome by emotion. It’s okay, Mrs. Lutzkraut. Let me help you.” Grudgingly, with some assistance from Mr. Feebletop, she held out her hand.
I couldn’t resist one last jab. I said loudly, “I’m going to miss you, too,” and reached out and hugged her. I could feel her squirm as the audience let out one big sentimental, “AAAAAwwwwwwwwwww!!!”
Mr. Feebletop nodded his head as if to say, See? It’s stuff like this that makes him special.
Mrs. Lutzkraut looked like she was going to be sick but managed to hold it together. Then, strangely, her eyes began to twinkle and that devilish smile from yesterday returned to her face. I gulped. My whole life with her had become one enormous chess match and she was about to make her next move. I was in trouble.
She turned from me and joined Mr. Feebletop at the microphone. “He certainly is a unique child, Mr. Feebletop. May I make a suggestion?” My pulse quickened.
The crowd perked up, wondering what was going on. I eyed the exit door as she cleared her throat and continued. “I think it would be just terrific if Rodney made a little speech to say farewell to the school that loves him so dearly. After all, it’s not every day we have an opportunity to hear from such a fine young man.”
What? She’d got me! She had overheard Jessica on the bus and knew about my fear of public speaking. I looked out at the hundreds of faces, began to get dizzy, and realized that Mrs. Lutzkraut had won the match.
“Well, I’m not sure,” Mr. Feebletop observed. “After all, he’s unprepared and . . .”
“Oh, I’m sure his mouth can handle it.” Mrs. Lutzkraut smiled.
“Well, hmmm . . . Rodney, what do you say?”
Before I could answer, Rishi started shouting, “Speech! Speech! Speech!” The entire gymnasium joined him.
Mrs. Lutzkraut began to fist-pump in time to the “speech” chant. Then she turned to me and I felt her bony fingers guide me to the microphone. My chest was pounding so hard that I wondered if it was possible for a kid my age to have a heart attack. My breaths were short and panicked. I felt my peripheral vision narrowing, and I prayed I wouldn’t collapse right off the stage.
My mind, as usual, began to search for the perfect excuse to get me out of this—and then it struck me. For the first time in my life I realized there was another option. Instead of taking the coward’s way out, I could actually face my fear. Maybe I didn’t have to rely on blind luck to save me. It felt so strange to think this way, like I had someone else’s brain in my head.
Mrs. Lutzkraut thrust the microphone into my hand. “We’re all waiting,” she announced. Then, under her breath she added, “I’m going to enjoy this.”
I looked over at my friends yelling “Speech” and couldn’t believe my train of thought. I was really considering going through with it. It was now or never. For better or for worse, I decided to make the speech.
“Good morning,” I tried to say, but nothing came out. The crowd was looking up expectantly and I felt my face turn red hot. I had to calm down. I remembered something I had seen on TV, that if you’re nervous about speaking in front of people you should picture them in their underwear.
I had nothing to lose. I looked out and a smile spread across my face. Maybe this would actually work. Seeing people without their clothes on was funny and oddly relaxing.
I took a deep breath and was just bringing the microphone to my mouth when I caught sight of Mrs. Lutzkraut. Before I could stop it, an image far too disturbing for a boy my age sprang to mind. “Uuuuuuuuughhhhh!” I cringed.
“We can’t hear you!” someone yelled from the back of the audience.
Keep it together, I told myself. It was then that the new, grown-up–sounding voice inside my head made a suggestion. Rodney, why not just tell them the truth?
I cleared my throat and heard it echo off the walls. “The truth is,” I began, “I’m not a great public speaker. I’ve always been scared of it. . . .”
“Yeah right!” Rishi yelled. The auditorium laughed.
I looked out at everyone and went on. “Many of you know that this was my first year at Baber. I remember the first day. I was really nervous about coming here that day. . . .”
“Good one, Rodney!” Slim shouted. “I guess you knocked out Josh to calm your nerves!” Laughs filled the air. I noticed Josh sink lower in his seat.
Again, I started up, and this time it was a bit easier. “I want to thank everyone here: my parents, Mr. Feebletop. . . .”
“Don’t forget Jessica!” Kayla hollered. More laughs and my cheeks felt hot again, this time for a different reason.
I was starting to feel good. I could handle speaking up here. Maybe it wasn’t the Gettysburg Address, but I didn’t care. I was facing a fear, and for me, the moment was special.
I looked at the crowd. My friends were smiling and laughing, as were most of the students. I realized that all of them had changed during the year. The look of fear was gone from their faces, and it made me feel good. I continued. “This year, I learned a lot, but I think the most important lesson I learned is that even a new kid can fit right in if he’s lucky enough to make good friends.”
“You know it!” Dave yelled. Even quiet Dave was getting in on the action. The peanut gallery was in rare form and I realized there wasn’t much point in continuing.
“Before I turn the microphone back to Mr. Feebletop, I want to end by thanking Mrs. Lutzkraut for this nice opportunity to say a few words.” I paused and smiled in her direction. “Finally, have a great summer, everyone; see you in Garretsville Middle School; and let’s go, Mets!”
I looked out at the cheering crowd. At times, being the hero puts you in a tight spot, but the rewards can be pretty darn good. As if emphasizing my thought, Jessica blew me a kiss.
I was feeling such a high of relief and happiness that I almost floated back to my seat. As I moseyed past Mrs. Lutzkraut, I smiled and asked under my breath, “Got any more surprises for me?”
Through clenched teeth she answered, “You bet I do, Rathbone. By this time tomorrow you’ll know which one of us has won.”
I sat down, wondering for a moment what she meant, but I shrugged it off. After all, the school year was over in about twenty minutes. What could she possibly do to me now?