Chapter 65
65
SHILOH
I’ve never been in the audience for a graduation ceremony. Hell, I was barely at my own high school graduation. I had to beg Michael for the money to rent the cap and gown for it and raced back to the house afterward to make sure that I was locked in by the time the sun went down. I learned at sixteen what happens when a young black man is out on the streets after dark in that neighborhood. Being detained by the cops for walking to the corner store for something to eat, I learned it’s better to starve than be out after dark around there. Between the violence and the profiling, I vowed to never let myself get into that situation again.
“And now a few words from our top student this year, Tobias Grady!”
The announcement from the stage rouses my attention back to the auditorium and to my best friend, my lover, my heart standing behind a podium that makes him look so much more mature than the goofball I know and love. The roar of the crowd as we cheer makes everyone on the stage laugh.
There are only a little over a hundred graduates, and the venue for the commencement holds about a thousand spectators. Toby told us last night that they usually only fill about a quarter of the room for commencement since the pandemic, but we managed to pack the room almost completely full.
Obviously, all of Kink Manor has shown up, but our extended family came as well. All the people from the Manor Drive Mobile Home Park are here. All of our friends from the Monarch Room are here. Most of the puppies and kittens from the Devil’s Club are here, minus the asshats that caused all the shit last time we were there. Even Don’s employees are here, including the new guy, Sid and his roommate, Jesse.
“Today marks the end of a tough journey for a lot of us,” Toby says into the microphone. “For those of you who don’t know me, which I think is very few of the people here today from what I can see…”
The laughter that rolls through the audience brings a flutter of pride to my chest. I remember the boy who was desperate to blend in and fly under the radar when he first moved in. It didn’t last very long, but I’m still proud that he’s embracing his uniqueness now.
“I’m not exactly a person you’d expect to excel at something requiring the precision and attention to detail that the culinary arts demand. To say I have squirrel brain would be an understatement. But the kitchen is where my grandmother showed me I was loved growing up. The kitchen is where I learned that I was not a fuck up… Sorry Chef Reynolds.”
Toby turns around to give a small wave and bow of his head to an older man sitting in the front row on the stage who is shaking his head in a way that pretty much anyone who has met our pup does on a regular basis.
“To cut to the chase, this school took a chance on this easily distracted, hyper kid and turned me into a chef. I think I can speak for my fellow graduates when I say it’s been a privilege and a pleasure learning from all of the great chefs and restaurateurs who have dedicated their time to sharing their wealth of knowledge with us, the next generation. You took a chance and we will definitely make sure your gamble and sacrifice pays off. Feel free to come find me when I open my café in the future if you miss me.”
Toby steps back from the podium and does this weird arm flourish thing and bows toward his instructors before turning back to the audience to throw his hands in the air in a victory pose.
“WE DID IT, BITCHES!!!!”
The auditorium erupts in laughter and cheers and my love runs and launches himself off the front of the stage. Owner and I both gasp in terror before the little shit becomes visible again among the crowd of his fellow graduates.
“This is one of the few times I wish he was taller,” Donnie leans over to tell me. I know exactly what he means.
Fifteen minutes later, the ceremony is over and everyone heads into the cafeteria where all of the instructors have prepared a buffet feast as a surprise for the graduates and their families. Before I even have a chance to let my eyes sweep the room, I’m practically tackled from behind by the love of my life.
“I’m so proud of you, Pup,” Donnie ruffles his hair while I lean back to give him a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Owner,” Toby beams at us both and we get into line to sample all of the deliciousness in store.
“Tobias?”
Don and I turn to the unfamiliar voice, but Toby immediately stiffens in our arms. The woman in front of me is familiar in a way, but the way she’s looking at us makes my hair stand on end.
“Don’t ignore your mother, Tobias,” she says and Don immediately steps in front of us both, shielding us from the wicked bitch of the deep south.