Chapter 10 #3
Melinda paused hearing the gasps that went through part of the crowd, but she didn’t care, it didn’t bother her anymore any longer.
“I don’t care about that memory it’s the hundreds of others that I choose to concentrate on, memories that Tate made sure were good.
I also can’t forget the day I looked out the window and saw my future in front of me though I didn’t know it at the time.
My husband…yes, I said husband, but at the time he was simply my fiancé had done the impossible, he found my mother and made me trust in someone else completely once more.
That’s what I will take from this place, the happiness.
Forget the past and the pain and focus on what you want the future to be, where you want to go.
Ten years from now it won’t matter if you were popular or the nerd, or if you were a genius or a slacker.
When we leave this place you can recreate yourself and find who you genuinely want to be and become it.
I discovered that the day I met Jordan and I’m hoping our future is as bright as his smile right now.
To my two favorite men, I love you and to the best in-laws a girl could ever have and the best pool teacher in the world, thank you for standing by me through the good and the bad and I look forward to finding out what lies ahead for us.
Congratulations to all of the graduates today. ”
She stepped away from the podium and headed back towards her seat. Tate gave her a huge hug and kissed her cheek as they sat down.
“I cannot believe you just did that,” Tate whispered to her as the ceremony started back up.
“You told me to knock em dead, figured that’d be better than me getting up there and saying, ‘oh by the way I can’t stand any of you.’”
“Yeah that might not go over so well.”
They watched as the administration began the presentation of certificates and scholarships, starting with the fewest and on to the most. She was the last name called having been offered scholarships to every school she’d applied to and one final one that held a surprise for them all.
“Before you leave Melinda, we have one last scholarship to announce. Please join me in welcoming Grayson Rice from the National Board of Engineers.”
“Thank you Mr. Nelson,” he said. “Each year we select one person to receive a full scholarship. This award is for an outstanding student who is entering into the engineering field in some capacity. This year that recipient is Miss or I suppose I should say Mrs. Melinda Turner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rice. It’s a wonderful honor but I am declining the scholarship for someone much more deserving than myself.
I informed the board earlier this week upon notification of the award, and when I heard of the recipient that would be receiving it in my place, I twisted some arms in order to announce it myself.
So it is my honor to announce that the new recipient will be someone I wouldn’t be here without, my best friend in the entire world and I’ll be nice and not reveal his real name, Mr. J. Tatum. Come on up Tate.”
Her family cheered just as loudly as his father did as he begrudgingly trudged up towards the podium. He hugged her tightly and she grinned.
“I told you I’d get you to college with me,” she teased kissing his cheek.
“Thanks a lot Mel.”
“Would you like to say a few words Tate?” Mr. Rice inquired.
“Ah, I’m not the one for speeches, that’s Mel’s forte but I can tell you this, I wouldn’t be half the student, pool player, or guy I am without Mel. Now it looks like she’s gotten the best of me again though I can’t really complain. So thanks Mel and can we please get out of here?”
Mel laughed hugging him as they headed back to their seats.
“I am so going to hurt you,” he teased kissing her cheek as they sat down.
“No you won’t, you love me too much for it,” she said as they waited for their diplomas. Once they were finally graduates, their families bombarded them, and she didn’t have a moment to spare as they took picture after picture after picture.
Half of the administration came over towards them, and she knew what they were about to ask.
“Melinda, Ms. Simmons has been filling us in on some very interesting information,” Mr. Nelson stated.
“I figured it was bound to come out since she’s not here,” she said as Jordan tucked her in beside him. “I’d like you to meet my wonderful in-laws though.”
“Ford Turner,” her father-in-law stated just loudly enough for others lingering to hear. “My wife Gabrielle.”
“Mel, come here,” Tate said pulling her away and nodding towards Stephanie and Andrew who were watching them closely. “What’s going on there?”
“I have no idea,” she admitted. “It doesn’t matter Tate. We’ve graduated and it’s over; she can’t do anything to me anymore.”
Mel saw a few of their classmates wave them over and she sent Jordan a quick smile before they went and took some pictures with them.
“Well aren’t you the sly one? Bagging the youngest Turner boy and gaining his whole family’s support,” Stephanie said sneaking up behind them. “Maybe I should have been nicer to you after all.”
“No hard feelings Stephanie but I don’t play with snakes,” she said moving back towards her family with a laughing Tate behind her.
“What are your plans for the future Melinda, Tate?” Mr. Nelson inquired as they reached the group.
“Work, school, and enjoying life,” she told him.
“I suppose I have to say the same since I’m now the recipient of a great scholarship, though I don’t remember applying for it,” he stated looping his arm around her waist.
“You did, I just typed up the application, and had you sign it, while I used your essay from drafting class along with your college application one,” she admitted with a grin. “I told you I’d get you to Whitmore with me.”
“Forcing me to work for you, to go to school with you, can’t a dude get a break?” he asked giving her a teasing grin.
“Yes poor Tate. You get money lining your pocket all summer long while you get to hang out with me, you get to go to the best school around to study what you’re dying to study for free, and you’re likely to have a guaranteed position when you graduate.
How can you possibly deal with that sort of pressure? ”
“I see that it wasn’t just an act you all put on for the students,” Mr. Grasse said watching them. “I have to admit that part of us wondered about your relationship.”
“I did too the first time I saw them together,” Jordan admitted. “Then again I didn’t realize she was still in high school let alone only a junior.”
“Tate knows all my secrets, so I have nothing to hide from him whereas I had to protect myself against others who seemed to despise the sight of me,” she stated kissing Jordan lightly.
“I think it was the opposite Mel,” Tate teased pinching her side. She smacked his hand away and the adults laughed.
“I think I’m going to miss watching the two of you as much as I’m going to miss the rain at prom,” Ms. Simmons said with a smile.
“Why are you looking at us for?” she asked keeping her expression even.
“For some reason I think the two of you are capable of far more than we’ve given you credit for,” Mr. Nelson told them. “Though I can’t say I wasn’t happy that the dances were cut short, or that someone didn’t end up with the crown.”
“I’m just glad I got Mel through graduation without decking Steph,” Tate told them.
“I don’t know it might have been interesting to see what her reaction would be to a fist flying at her,” Mel stated with a laugh.
“But then the secrets would have come out, and I’d have lost you,” Tate reminded her.
“I know but that’s never going to happen. You’re stuck with me, and Jordan, and the rest of this crazy bunch.”
“As long as you know it goes both ways Mel,” Arthur told her. “And that I fully intend on taking my trophy back at the tournament.”
“Ah, that’s not fair, don’t you know you’re supposed to play nice with girls?” she grinned.
“But you’re not just a girl Mel,” Tate said with a wink.
“No, you are the biggest pool shark there is, and I have a feeling it’ll be an interesting tournament,” Jordan said as she leaned into him. “What do you say we continue this party at home?”
“Whoa, we’re all coming over Jordan,” Tate reminded him. “You two might not care but I don’t think the rest of us want to see that.”
“Move it Tate or should I call you…” Mel said but Tate covered her mouth with his hand to keep her quiet.
“Please tell me you washed your hands,” she joked a few minutes later.
“I did…this morning,” he said ducking out of her reach and sliding into the back of the car with them.
“You are such a dork Tate,” she stated leaning her head against Jordan’s shoulder but reaching a hand back towards him.
He took hold of her fingers and squeezed them bringing another smile to her face.
One hurdle down and now, on to college and whatever lay ahead for them there.
As long as she had both of them, she’d be okay, she had to be.