Epilogue
Two Years Later
After two years of hard work, high tuition payments, and way too little free time to spend with my girlfriend, I’m finally graduating with my occupational therapy doctorate degree.
I still need to pass the board exams for my state licensure, but I already have a job lined up with an outpatient clinic here in Austin where I’ll specialize in working with young kids and NICU graduates. It’s a dream, honestly.
I fell in love with this patient population when I worked at a similar clinic in Dallas during one of my semester-long fieldwork rotations, and now I’ll be getting paid for it.
On the drive to the event venue where the graduation ceremony is being held, I give my family a heads-up that I’ll be getting an award.
Olivia gasps, and my dad asks, “What kind of award?”
“I don’t know. Some award, but it means I get to give a speech. Plus, it will look good on my résumé.”
“That’s amazing!” Annie exclaims.
My mom turns around in the front passenger seat and pats my leg. “We’re so proud of you, Gage.”
We park at the venue, and my family walks me inside where they’ll meet up with Maggie and her family. As we make our way through the parking lot, my classmates stop me for high fives and hugs, offering up their congratulations.
“Congrats on the Luminary Award, Gage. I voted for you!”
“Hey, Mr. Luminary hotshot! Well deserved, man.”
“Can’t wait to hear your speech!”
Olivia, who’s walking next to me, my arm around her shoulder, notices the comments, and the thoughtful look on her face tells me she’s processing. She pulls out her phone and types something as we make our way toward the building.
Suddenly, she stops and gasps at something on her phone screen. She lifts her eyes to me and, in one fluid motion, punches me in the arm.
“Ow!” I moan. “Is that any way to treat the graduate?”
“‘Some award?’ You called it ‘some award?’” She thrusts her phone into Annie’s face. “Look at this!”
Annie starts reading, then grabs the phone from Olivia’s hand. “Oh my gosh! Gage!”
My mom and dad crowd in to read over her shoulder.
Olivia puts her hands on her hips. “Gage Donovan Carter! You won the Hinojosa Luminary Award?”
Without waiting for me to answer, Annie reads from the screen.
“The Hinojosa Luminary Award goes to the graduating OT student that best embodies the program values of professionalism, excellence, innovation, and integrity. The winner is voted on by program faculty and peer students from the graduating class.”
My dad adjusts his glasses. “That sounds like a pretty big deal, son.”
Olivia punches my arm again. “It sounds like a very big deal! Why didn’t you tell us?”
I shrug, looking between my family members.
Olivia moves her hand, and I flinch, thinking she’s going to punch me again. Instead, she puts her hands on my cheeks, squishing my face. She looks into my eyes and smiles.
“I’m so proud of you, babe. I love you so much.” She stretches up and kisses my already puckered lips.
“Thank you,” I mumble, but it sounds more like “tay koo” with the way she’s squeezing my cheeks.
It all bodes well for the surprises I still have planned. Today, I’m angling for all my dreams to come true.
When it comes time for the awards part of the graduation ceremony, I wiggle in my seat.
I turn around to make sure I know where my family is sitting in the audience.
I see Kent first, because he’s so tall, and there are Maggie, Callie, and Duncan next to him.
On the other side of Duncan are my parents, and then Annie and Olivia.
My eyes linger on Olivia. She looks beautiful in a dress that’s lacy and sexy and adorable all in one. And it’s white, which is perfect for the occasion even if she doesn’t know it yet. Her hair is down, shimmering gold flowing around her shoulders.
We’ve continued our appointments with Dr. Francine, though we’ve scaled back to one a month. Even though we’ve become near experts at communicating our feelings to each other, sometimes it’s still easier to tackle hard topics with her impartial mediation.
Both our emotional and physical connections are stronger than ever.
Olivia is preparing to start her third year teaching PE at the Brightline School for Science.
After completing the educator preparation coursework required for a teaching license during her first year at Brightline, she passed the certification exams last year, marking this school year as her state-required "internship" period. It’s the last step before she can get her official teaching license.
Because her job gives her summers off, Olivia returned to Camp Prairie Star for two more sessions as the activities director. She finished the last week of camp a few days ago, in time for her to come home for my graduation.
Between Olivia being away at camp for the last three months and me living in the garage apartment at Maggie’s house in Fort Worth for my second fieldwork rotation the four months before that, our relationship has been sort of long distance for most of the year.
I’ve hated being apart from her, though it doesn’t make me panic like it used to. Even so, if everything goes according to plan today, I’m going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
My attention is called back up to the stage when I hear the university president introducing my mentor, Dr. Carol Decker, to announce the Hinojosa Luminary Award.
She explains what the award is, and I shift in my seat again.
I’m honored that my instructors and classmates think I’m deserving of it, but I’m also preoccupied thinking about the speech I’m about to give.
I wipe my sweaty hands on the front of my robe and fidget, preparing myself to stand up and make my way to the stage.
“I’m delighted to announce the recipient of this year’s award, and to welcome him up on stage to receive it. Dr. Gage Carter.”
I edge around my classmates’ legs to exit the row I’m seated in and walk down the aisle to the steps on the side of the stage.
When I reach Dr. Decker, I wrap her in a bear hug and try to keep my hands from shaking.
I’m grinning as I step up the podium. I glance back at Dr. Decker. “That’s the first time I’ve been introduced as Dr. Carter, and it feels amazing.” The crowd laughs.
I clear my throat to begin my speech. “I’m honored to receive this award, which I consider to be a vote of confidence from my faculty and fellow students. I’d never have gotten to this point without your companionship, patience, and brutal feedback.” The audience laughs again. “Thank you.”
I look out at the audience and once again find the row holding my family.
“I’m grateful for the support of my family.
To my mom and dad, thank you for loving me.
Maggie, I love that you’re part of my life.
Kent, I love that you’re part of hers. To my little siblings Duncan and Callie, thanks for keeping me on my toes.
To my twin sister and best friend, Annie, thank you for being my anchor through everything.
And to my girlfriend, Olivia. You’re my world. I love you.”
This next part is planned but not written down. I lock eyes with Olivia across the rows of heads. I swallow before continuing. “I can’t do life without you.” My voice catches, and I blink back tears. “Will you marry me?”
A collective gasp lifts up from the audience as Olivia’s mouth drops open, and Annie grabs her hand. I’m quiet, staring at her and waiting. “Uh, kind of need an answer, babe.” I grin, my heart beating fast.
“Yes!” she shouts, while laughing. The crowd applauds.
I make a show of patting my sides, then say into the microphone, “I have a ring for you, but it’s currently in the pocket of my pants, underneath this gown, so I’ll have to give it to you later.”
Everyone laughs. I know I’m commandeering graduation at this point, but what are they going to do? Kick me out? Besides, the crowd loves it.
Still locked in on Olivia, I gesture her forward. “Come up here, babe.”
She shakes her head, but I nod back at her. Finally, her face red, she edges out of the row and makes her way to the stage. I hop down—which is not easy in this long flowy gown—and kiss her senseless in front of everyone.
She’s blushing furiously, but I know she loves the attention. We both do.