I stood at the bottom of the platform waiting for my name to be called.
‘This is it. I can’t believe it.’
“Alyssa Manning…Katelin Marciano.” I heard all of my friends and family cheer as I walked across the stage and accepted my diploma. When I stepped off, I saw Nick standing to the side snapping pictures. I smiled at him and he paused to blow me a kiss. At that moment, I knew what I had to do.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
After the ceremony, my roommates and I had a party at our house for all of our families. Alyssa, Brooke, Ashley, and I were so busy running around and taking pictures that I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Nick or my parents yet. I finally spotted Nick, sitting on the front porch talking to Drew. I approached him from behind and kissed the top of his head:
“Hey there! I’ve been looking for you.” He turned around:
“Yeah? What do you need?”
“Can you come inside with me?” He smiled:
“Sure. Talk to you later Drew.” Drew waved:
“See ya guys tonight. You better have your drinking shoes on.” I laughed:
“We will. Bye Drew.” I led Nick inside to where my parents were waiting for us. We sat down and my dad cleared his throat:
“What’d you want to talk to us about, Kate?” I smiled nervously:
“Okay. Here goes. I decided what I wanted to do.” They all just stared at me. I swallowed nervously, knowing that someone was not going to be too happy:
“I decided to go to Florida.” I watched everyone’s expression. Nick looked like he wanted to jump up for joy but he held back because my parents, to say the least, did not look happy. My mother was first to speak:
“Kate, are you sure you thought this through carefully? I mean, what about law school?” I knew this was coming:
“Mom, I’m still going to go. Just not right away. This way I’ll get some real work experience, make some money, and then go to law school. I have the rest of my life to do that.” Finally, my dad said something:
“Money? You’re not going to make any money, Kate. Any money you make is going to go right back into rent. God Kate, I thought we settled this. Don’t go screw up your life because of some guy.” I jumped up, angrily:
“Screw up my life, Dad? How is this screwing up my life? This is a great opportunity for me. I want to do this. Nick had nothing to do with my decision. And anyway, Dad, I’m not going to have to pay rent because….” I trailed off, not sure how my parents were going to react to the last part. My parents were waiting for my answer. I glanced over at Nick and he just looked at the ground.
“Because of what, Kate?” My dad asked.
“BecauseI’dbelivingwithNick.” I said it so fast that they barely understood. My mom looked confused:
“What’d you say?” I swallowed hard and looked back up at them:
“Because I’m moving in with Nick.” My dad just shook his head and stormed out of the house. Nick looked anything but comfortable and my mom didn’t know what to say. Tears came to my eyes as I watched my dad slam the front door. I saw Brooke standing in the doorway of the kitchen and she gave me a sympathetic look before she went out back again. I looked over at my mom:
“Mom?” She shook her head:
“I don’t know what to say, Kate. Did you really think that he would take that well?” The tears started to flow down my cheeks as Nick came over and rubbed my shoulders:
“Mom, I know how you and dad feel about the whole living-together-before-you’re-married thing and I swear I considered that but this makes such perfect sense. Nick lives in that big house all by himself. It’s all paid for. I wouldn’t have to pay any rent or anything like that. I would have my own room because I know you’re worried about that. But, please Mom, I’m 22 years old and it’s my life. I’m sorry you don’t agree with it but I’ve already made up my mind and this is what I’m going to do. Please, just be happy for me. Don’t ruin my graduation.” Tears were streaming down my face and I saw my mom’s eyes tearing up:
“I’ll go find your father and talk to him. Kate, I am happy for you. I trust that you know what you’re doing.” She gave me a hug and walked out the front door. I looked up at Nick:
“Did I do the right thing?” He hugged me:
“Yes, you did. They have to understand that this is your life.” He paused and then smiled:
“I’m happy about it.” I punched him playfully on the arm:
“Gee, I wonder why.”