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16. Voyage into Unknown Territory

Am somewhat surprised that Ruth is fine with blue jeans for me to wear to her graduation. Her idea-not mine. I was prepared for the coat and tie and all that. On the other hand comfort is never overrated by me.

Off we go. I had mapquested the Victoria theatre but was doubting my findings. We had attended a concert by the gospel singer Sandi Patti several years ago when she making a bit of a career comeback well over 10 years ago and I had a vague recollection where we were headed. As it turned out all my recollections were in error.

When driving downtown in the Mercury Grand Marquis I become very aware of the blind spots that the 'boat' as I call it possesses so I depend on Ruth as my navigator as she declares she knows where the Victoria is and no worries.

Ruth forgets who she is married to.

Her idea was to park on the street but that was to prove impractical as street repairs were going on nearby. I remind her that in the almost 29 years of matrimonial harmony and other discordant notes she has MAYBE seen me parallel park THREE times (and I'm pretty sure I lied about the number by two). Her school parking lot is nearby and we agree to go there.

We arrive at the parking lot with only one brief misunderstanding about which lane to be traveling in. I tell her the phrase "Get in that lane" can be be interpreted two ways--left or right. Of such distinctions doctrines are created and cults prevail.

The walk to the theatre takes about five minutes and I am (again) distracted by the Subway restaurant we pass. Once during her school year I met her and we ate lunch there where to my delight the proprietor has old comics in frames up on the wall. There is an issue of The Avengers (#42) I need/want for my collection and I have often dreamed of trying to buy it or steal it. Thankfully God watches everything I do and is very faithful about warnings -- not that they are always heeded.

We arrive at the Victoria with plenty of time to spare. It's 5:35 pm (five minutes late by my reckoning) and then Ruth tells me she had a 15 minute leeway. I smile at this small deception and we enter to the world of academy in their glory.

17. An Old Friend Shares Grand News (subtext Where Did That Car Go? in it's proper sequence)

There is an usher who waves us in the door. I'm holding Ruth's gown and he thinks I am the to be honored one to which I delightedly point to my hardy companion and his smile is even broader. Ruth is positively glowing. This is truly her night and the culmination of two years of wear and tear.

There is a small hallway to the right of the lobby area where students are lining up for their pictures.

Ruth and I get in line. She is greeted by a couple of students she knows and I borrow her camera and attempt to get pictures of her signing the register.

The lobby is fast filling up and a director requests non-square hat wearers wait outside.
After first getting directions to a drinking fountain located on the other side of the building I step outside to look around to see if my daughter Sandy and son-in-law Michael are here yet.

Nope. No sign of them. I wonder how their hunt for a parking spot will work out as the road is partially blocked off at the end of the street. While watching a car runs the intersection and ends up on a curb. The strange part of this is that he was attempting to go around the barriers of the blocked street. Other then the honk of the car he cut off before tire thumped curb there are several shakes of heads over the policy of letting anyone have a license who can stand up straight for a bad photo opportunity as the idiot backs up and 45 degree angles his car and proceeds on his merry way.

While waiting for the kids to join me I decide to call son Dan and let him know what I am up to(and his mother). Voice mail. Ok--friend Jerry then--no answer.

Hey I know--AndaveYa--she'll be thrilled. Unaware that SHE is the one who will be giving ME the thrill.

The call starts out somewhat strange.

I start by telling her she'll never guess where I am. She incorrectly guesses in front of her house and I think that would be a woonderful place to be but instead tell her where I really am.

And that I am holding Ruth's purse.

And I look GOOD doing it.

Andy then starts signing Happy Birthday to me. My birthday was last month and already dim in the memory banks. The mystery is quickly solved when she says my Litnet interview has been posted in the birthday thread. And people were posting to it.

Ahh so the old man was remembered after all in spite of being less a presence this past year. Was a little surprised Sher had posted it so quickly but I hadn't checked messages that day.

Then AndaveYa reveals her evil side. She tells me a certain well regarded moderator has left a comment. A graduation ceremony suddenly is eclipsed by this revelation of recognition from the beloved Logos. I must know what she has posted for all the world to see.

Andy won't tell me.

She is laughing.

And laughing.

I am whining and begging. I appeal to her sense of romance and star crossed relationships. I finally tell her that if I don't hear the no doubt wondrous words I'll be thinking of THAT all evening and not the Mrs.

Andave no doubt knowing that this is exactly how shallow I can be shares the desired information and the ego spins out of control and Shakespeare in his grave contemplates rewriting Othello with Iago as a poor misunderstood old curmudgeon modeled after a self absorbed narcisstic romantic.

18. A Family Reunion.

The class group pictures are being taken and I reenter the lobby area and snap a few shots of Ruth and continue to wait for Michael and Sandy. Shouldn't be too hard to find each other. The students are led off the staircase and the public is admitted at last to the auditorium. I enter and sit in the center of an aisle somewhat central to the stage. A middle aged lady sits directly next to me on my left. I greet her but am ignored to which I lose no sleep over. There are about three seats to my right which will serve for my kids (especially if my grand-son Ron accompanies them). No sign.

With about 15 minutes to go--the kids finally arrive. I turn at an opportune time to see Michael looming large (he is tall) and the kids join us. I hadn't seen little Ron in quite awhile. I naturally ask him if I can bite him. For some reason this does not appeal to him. Kids these days. No interest in pleasing grand-parents. He eyeballs me smiling sweetly but I notice he keeps his fingers well away from me. Have to build these memories which will amuse him later in life when he gives a thought to that silly old man.

19. An Ancient Ceremony

There are 97 students listed as receiving diplomas this evening. Introductions are made of the school staff and a speaker from Human Relations from Miami Jacobs school gives an address. I would have appreciated her better had she not been reading from her paper. The speech was standard--education beats low pay jobs anyday. She gives some hints that the job hunt MIGHT be a problem in this day and age and she is respected for that bit of honesty since Ruth has been on the hunt since March. I remind myself to think of the words and not the ill presentation.

Diplomas are passed out rather quickly. I holler out "Ruthie" when she walks the stage then try to get some pictures. Photography has never been one of talents and even now I'm not sure how they turned out. Ruth says ok but since she hasn't shown them to me yet I think she is being kind.

Cake is offered back in the lobby but we elect to go outside and be on our way. Ruth is interested in springing for a meal and that's fine with me. I hesitate to invite the kids. I have no money and not sure of Ruth's bankroll but it's a long drive for them back to Wilmington. We leave feeling warm about the whole affair.

It is probably about this time that the last memorable event is occuring though we are about an hour and half from discovering the sad events.

NEXT: Finale