Tag Archives: graduation day

FWF Free Write Friday; Image Prompt

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http://kellieelmore.com/waving hand

Freedom, the feeling of no more people telling me what to do. No more parents butting in. I can make my own decisions from here on out.

I just graduated from high school. I was an adult ready to make my own way into the big world. Ready to discover what was forbidden for many years.

I had received a lot of money for graduation gifts. After counting it up I had a total of five hundred dollars. I was out of here. Out of this joint called home. Making plans with my bestie, we were on our way to have a great time.

She and I were taking two weeks and having the time of our lives. Meeting new guys was our number one goal. No more books,we were going to  stay up late, sleep  in late. What could possibly be better?

We didn’t have a destination. We were letting the spirit guide us. We would stop when we needed to and eat where we wanted. The money in my pocket would get us anywhere we wanted to go.

Driving down the open road, listening to the radio. Laughing our asses off. Neither she nor I heard the truck behind us blaring his horn. When we did, it was too late. Our trip was ended too short with five hundred bucks in my pocket.

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Continuing Story Part 43

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Graduation day, had arrived. No more school for Dahlia. She had passed all of her classes

Dahlia

Dahlia (Photo credit: Sebastian Niedlich (Grabthar))

and was going to be graduating today at seven, along with all the other students. After their delicious breakfast of pancakes, they cleaned up the kitchen, and then Rachel and the ladies started to add ingredients to a bowl, to make the best-ever looking graduation cake that eyes had ever seen.

They were going to be making a white cake with lots of flowers, roses, that would surround the outer edges on the bottom of the cake, and then more roses with leaves and writing on the top of the cake.

While the ladies were busy in the kitchen baking, Drake and Ralph mowed the yard, and did some trimming around the house. They then washed the two cars and swept them out.

The smell coming from the kitchen filled your nostrils of sugar and vanilla. When the guys came in from outdoors, they wanted to help decorate the cake by licking a spoon or maybe dipping a finger in the icing. The ladies laughed, telling them to leave them alone and to leave the kitchen, so they could get their work done. The boys listened, but laughed as they were chased out of the kitchen.

When the cake was finally finished and every rose in its place, they called the men out to look at it. Everyone stood around the table eying the cake and wishing they could have at least a small bite now. Rachel went and grabbed her camera, taking a picture of everyone standing around the cake. This was a proud day for everyone inside this house.

Afterwards, the excitement started to grow as it was getting closer to the big event. The ladies got together and tried on their gowns, and compliments and suggestions were given, then they each slipped on their shoes and their gowns again, seeing how they each looked.

Each of them took turns using the bathroom, grooming themselves for the evening. After showers were done, they did each others hair and make-up. They did final inspections on each other and complimented each other on their looks.

The men didn’t do much while the ladies were getting themselves prettied up. They napped and watched television. They knew better than to try to talk to the ladies while they were in the beauty salon, part of the house.

As there was nothing much to do by this time, they realized that lunch had  been skipped, until Ralph went to the kitchen and started rummaging through the cupboards. Rachel followed behind him, and suggested soup and sandwiches, since time was slipping by.

Lunch was made quickly and everyone gathered around to eat, but no one was very hungry from the baking of the cake, where sneaking a lick of frosting happened too much. The meal didn’t last very long, and Rachel volunteered to clean the kitchen up herself, since the ladies were ready for their graduation evening. No one argued with her, and left her to her thoughts, while leaving the kitchen.

Drake and Dahlia drove over and picked up her father. She wanted her father there for the big moment of seeing his only child graduating. Her dad was ready when they arrived and with a little help, they all got back in the car and went back to their home.

At home, there were no more chores to do, the house looked good, the cake was done, the yard looked wonderful, so they spent their free time chatting with each other. Before they knew it, it was time to get ready to go to the school.

They all packed themselves in the two cars, with Ralph driving one and Drake driving the other, and soon the school was in sight, and after parking they all climbed out of the cars and then the students began to hug each other and wish them good luck. The ladies looked themselves over once again, straightening their gowns and getting fly away hairs back in their proper place.

They walked into the doors and the students made their way to the room where they were to wait to be called in to the gym, where graduation was to take place. Drake and his parents went ahead to the gym and found the closest spot they could to the front. Rachel didn’t want to miss taking any photos so she wanted as close as possible.

The gym filled up quickly with many family members and friends. Soon the music started playing in the background, and the principal of the school appeared, and said his welcome speech, and speaking about how proud he was of the graduating students this year. After his speech a lady tapped Rachel on the shoulder asking if she could sit with them, and when Rachel looked up, she saw that it was the dance instructor. Rachel said of course she could sit with them. After being seated, the teacher leaned over and whispered how proud she was of Dahlia and she had been an outstanding student, and she knew she was going to grow much in her career as a dance instructor. Rachel beamed hearing this and said a heart-felt thank you.

The music got louder and the double doors at the back opened, and one by one the students made their way down the aisle  and walked up to the stage, lining up one behind the other. The principal came to the podium once again, and giving another speech, then began to call their names one by one handing them their diplomas.

Flashes of lights were going off in every direction. Proud parents and friends were whistling and clapping. This was a huge moment in all of their lives. When the last of the line had accepted their diploma, all the students started clapping and tossing their caps in the air.

It was over, they had graduated and now the gym was full of buzz and laughter as each student was congratulated by friends, families, and teachers. Slowly the gym emptied out and the school became silent as they all went their own directions to celebrate.

Some of the students drove back to Rachel and Drakes home and for the rest of the evening. There was laughter and plenty of good spirits in the house. They had done it, they had worked hard, and it had paid off, graduation day had come, they received their diplomas and now they were ready to experience the world as a graduate.

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Continuing Story Part 42

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Each of them took turns going in to see Drew, and telling them to hurry and get well so he

Dahlia "Dahlstar Sunset Pink"

could come back home. No one knew if Drew was actually hearing what they said, as there was no movement from the bed, but the monitor showed that he was still alive.

After everyone had finished visiting, they all gathered together and went back home, making sure to tell the nurse to call them if any changes occurred. It was a quiet ride back to the  house and even as they walked into the front door of their home, the house felt empty.

There was no big dinner plans made in advance, so each of them fixed their own meal this evening, and after finishing their meal, and cleaning up, they all went their separate ways.  Drake and Dahlia followed Rachel and Ralph out to the front porch. It was very peaceful here, and peace is what everyone in this house needed.

Drake and Dahlia sat on the porch rockers and Ralph and Rachel sat on the porch swing. It seemed like each was lost in his own thoughts, as the conversation was dead. Looking out over the property, Rachel finally spoke saying, Drake, I know this has been an unexpected event in all of our own lives with Drew in the hospital, and I also realize that you and Dahlia are to get married this Saturday. I think the wedding should continue as planned.

Dahlia spoke up and interrupted saying that no, they could not do this. This was not a happy time, they would post pone the wedding until Drew got better. Rachel said, no, we must go on. We do not know the outcome of this and sadly, we don’t know when Drew will come home. You two have made all of these arrangements, invitations were out, food was and has been started for preparations and the flowers have been ordered. She continued on with, Drew would not want you to stop just on his account, and maybe he can possible be there at the wedding.

Ralph spoke up agreeing with his wife. Dahlia had a job that she was going to be starting after the wedding. Graduation was Thursday night, and it would be much easier to just continue with all plans.

Drake and Dahlia looked at each other and Drake opened his mouth to say something, but his dad stopped him, saying it is alright Drake, it is alright. Dahlia reached out for Drake’s hand and placed it in hers, and the two of them with sad faces said alright, we will continue on, and with that, they got up, with his parents following their lead and all went to their rooms.

School was the next day and it was a buzz everywhere with exams being taken and finished up. Some were loading up their lockers preparing to take their personal items home. Drake stayed busy, grading papers and when Dahlia was not busy, she would stop by his classroom and help him.

So far Dahlia had passed all of her exams and she was on her way to graduation day. She stopped into the office the next day at school and picked up her rented cap and gown, and took it home to show the others how she looked. They all clapped and cheered as they said she looked so beautiful in her gown.

All of them went to see Drew, and by now his eyes were opened but he was too weak to get out of bed. He was still hooked up to several tubes, making life easier for him, but he would be here for several more days, but things looked like he may be improving.

The atmosphere relaxed at home as the news drifted from one to the other that Drew was going to be alright soon. Wednesday after school, the day had been completed. Exams, lockers being emptied  and all small details were finished. Drake and Dahlia stopped by the dry cleaners and picked up the suit for her dad and stopped and got the socks and they ran them over to his house and to see how he was doing.

He was smiling when he opened the door. Spring had surely changed the attitude and he seemed pretty content. He had even made a pot of coffee and the three of them sat down and shared some coffee and conversation. They could not stay long they told him as they had to hurry home to help make more foods for the wedding Saturday. Her father smiled at the two of them and told them to go on, get their work done, that he would see Ralph Saturday, when he picked him up.

With this they got up and she kissed her father good-bye on the forehead and the two of them left to go home and get busy. When they arrived home the kitchen was full of activities. Everyone had their part and knew their job. Rachel had made two big home-made pizzas earlier and all that had to be done for supper was to pop them in the oven.

Sandwiches were made and placed in the cooler on the back porch. Salads were also made. Two of the ladies had made some pretty mints, and others were cutting up a vegetable tray. Everything was coming along nicely.  Ralph walked into the room and rubbing his stomach, he said where is the food, I am hungry! They all laughed for the first time in a couple of days, and with that Rachel popped the pizzas in the oven, and the table was set and drinks poured.

As they all seated for supper, they reached for each others hands and said thanks to God for the meal and a speedy healing for Drew. Supper was filled with anticipation of the next few days ahead, and the laughter was so nice to be heard again.

Just as they were finishing supper, the phone rang, and it was the minister making sure the wedding was still on for Saturday, and with the answer of yes, the phone call ended. Everyone chipped in and helped clean up and soon the floors, counters and table were sparkling once again.

The next day was graduation and there was no school. Dahlia and the other ladies slept in a little late and  then had a late breakfast. They decided to celebrate this day with pancakes and sausages for breakfast with milk and fresh orange juice. It was going to be a grand day!

All that could be done for the wedding had been done. Tomorrow the flowers would be delivered the church, and the rehearsal dinner and practice of going down the aisle were going to be done, and then the next day was the big day!

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