Forget six degrees of separation, most locals are only three people away from sharing relatives. I crave variety. Another of the 4,724 reasons I need to leave this town.
Adrian smiles as she walks up to join Hamilton and me on the grass just outside the school. As our group of nine friends arrive, preparing to graduate today, Adrian hasn’t hidden her sadness that two of us plan to leave Athens behind. I haven’t shared with her that I imagine once I’m in Columbia I will try to avoid visiting Athens like the plague.
Although I often knock the small-town life they crave, I’ve hidden most of my excitement to leave and my true plans for a life after college. I desire new friends, a new community, and a future far from my mother. This means I also look forward to a new life free of Adrian, Salem, Bethany, and Savannah. I know we will remain in touch for a while via texts and email, but as I don’t plan to drive back to Athens, we will drift apart
Hamilton’s talent on the baseball diamond will ensure he never moves back to town. I’m his biggest fan and plan never to lose touch with him. He is close to his mom and sister, so he will visit when he can, but he will live and play in a city much larger than Athens, Missouri.
I don’t fault Adrian for loving everything about Athens. Unlike me, she is close to both her parents. She’s always felt safe and looks forward to raising her future children here. Major crimes and tragedies are rare in this little farm community. I cringe at the small pool of candidates for a future husband that awaits Adrian in this town, but she states they will have known each other most of their lives. She’s only minutes away from her family for any support she might need. Unlike me, she can’t wait to open her business and raise her family in the town she loves.
My eyes follow Adrian as she approaches a flailing Winston. I smile as he attempts to place his cap on his sandy-blonde hair. After graduation, he will run the family’s three-plex movie theater in Athens. Taking over his family’s business this summer is all he has talked about recently. Next to him, Troy looks so happy with Bethany in his bulky arms. They will be moving in together in two days. They’ll soon start classes at the local community college. Troy plans to become an Athens’ Police Officer, and Bethany hopes to teach elementary kids.
At Adrian’s side, Latham is very uncomfortable in his black cap and gown. I’ve never seen him in public without his jeans, boots, or a hat.
“I’m wearing a black dress,” Latham pouts. “I’d rather go barefoot than wear these old-man shoes.” He lifts one foot in our direction.
“Hey,” Winston chides. “They look just like mine.”
Latham motions that Winston just proved his point.
Salem attempts to calm him by telling him that he looks very handsome. The sparkle in her eyes for him gives me hope that someday I might find the man of my dreams, too. Latham plans to work his family farm, and Salem will attend community college this summer with dreams of nursing in her future.
Last, but not least, Savannah approaches our group, running a bit late as usual. She mumbles curse words as she fights to put on her cap and gown in the gusty May breeze. No one is really sure what the future holds for Savannah, not even herself. For now, she works at the local grocery store part-time.
“Bring it in,” Adrian prompts our friends. With arms over each other’s shoulders, we make a circle and lower our heads. In what might look like a rugby scrum to outsiders, she speaks to our tight-knit group. “We’ve made it! Today we graduate. It’s the last step before adulthood. As we walk across the stage today, I want you all to know I couldn’t have made it through high school without you. I vow to keep us together as we attempt to spread our wings and move on to bigger and better things in the next couple of months. I love each and every one of you. I will always be here to bail you out of jail, laugh at your stupid mistakes, and kick your ass when you need it.” I can hear the lump forming in her throat as she speaks, and I can imagine her eyes beginning to fill up with tears. “I love you. Now let’s go get a diploma!”
Cheers erupt as we break apart only to take turns with high-fives and one-armed guy-hugs. Our administrator calls for us to take our places in the line. The ceremony is about to start, and forty-five of us have to be in alphabetical order. We rush off to find our spots.
Bored in the single file line, I dread the impending graduation party. It’s just another reminder of how messed up my life is. I feel a bit guilty at my desire to leave such good friends behind. Adrian talked the parents of my eight friends into planning one large joint party for the nine of us. She claims it is to allow us to spend the entire day together, but I know it’s really because my mother would not be throwing me a graduation party and Adrian didn’t want me to feel left out. Our large party will be at Winston’s parents house. Each of us decorated an individual table reflecting on our school years. Hamilton insisted his table sit next to mine, so his mother could stand near both of us. Memphis took me under her wing shortly after Hamilton and I grew close in eighth grade. I know I only survived these last five years because she acted as my surrogate mother. I imagine I will spend the party counting down the hours until we can change into comfortable clothes and party at the bonfire on the sandbar tonight.