June 1981

Jamie sat surrounded by his peers in the school hall as he waited for the principal to call out his name. He shuffled uncomfortably and adjusted the cap on his head. He could well imagine that as he stepped onto the stage he'd trip over his gown and fall flat on his face. That would be the perfect end to his high school years.

'Lucy Veronica Kinsella,' the principal called out and he snickered under his breath. Veronica! She'd kept that quiet. He watched as she descended the stage, no sign of any nerves but then nothing much phased Lucy. 

It wasn't long before John was called up and he had to bite his tongue even harder when he realised that Junior was an actual part of his name, not simply the pet name he'd always assumed it was. He grimaced as he briefly thought of his own name, his second name, McKenna. He'd seriously contemplated changing it after he'd found out the truth about his father, about Nick. He loathed the man and wanted no part of him, certainly not his name. Surprisingly, his mom had been wary when he'd suggested the idea, reminding him that while he was a minor he'd need Nick's permission to do so. Obviously, that wouldn't be forthcoming.

Jamie had told her that he'd change it as soon as he could then, and she'd agreed it was his decision. However, when he thought about what to change it to he came unstuck. Louis was basically his father, and he'd gladly take his name, yet that seemed sort of fraudulent. He'd considered his mom's maiden name, Harper, but since it was years since she'd used it he didn't feel a connection there either. Whilst he'd contemplated random names he liked the sound of his mom had pointed out that McKenna was no more Nick's name than his. There were thousands of Mckenna's in the world, and he should make the name his own. In the end, he'd agreed. She did talk sense sometimes.

He was so lost in his thoughts he missed his name being called, it was only Kevin's sharp elbow in his side that alerted him. He made his way up onto the stage and grasped the principal's outstretched hand. He looked into the crowd and spotted his mom bobbing up and down, trying to get a clearer view of him. He resisted the temptation to wave, that would be so juvenile. He made his way down the opposite side of the stage and took a seat next to John who gave him the thumbs up.

'I wonder how much longer this shit is gonna take?' John whispered but Jamie wasn't fooled. John was as impressed by the occasion as everyone else was around them.

'Shut up Junior,' Lucy hissed from the other side of him and John grinned. Jamie shook his head, he still couldn't quite believe they were an item. He'd heard of opposites attracting but this was something else. He zoned out their play fighting and tried to watch the rest of the ceremony. When it finally concluded the people around him began to disperse, and he tried to find his family. Muttering apologies as he pushed through the crowd he made his way to where he'd last seen his mom standing.

'Jamie?'

He froze, his father hadn't lost the ability to instil dread into him. He slowly turned around, his face grim.

'Congratulations son,' Nick said reaching out to shake his hand.

Jamie shook his hand without thinking, while his eyes flitted about seeking out his mom. He didn't want her having to deal with Nick on what should be a happy occasion.

'Why are you here?' he asked trying to keep the animosity out of his voice.

Nick smiled. 'I wasn't going to miss my own son's graduation ceremony.' 

Jamie let out a deep breath. He had occasionally seen his dad after the confrontation last year, but their meetings had been brief and stilted. Nick couldn't account for his past, he mostly refused to discuss it insisting it was between him and Charlotte, and Jamie refused to forgive him. Or rather he wouldn't forgive him on his mother's behalf, especially when Nick wasn't admitting any guilt.

'You shouldn't be here,' he said clearing this throat. 'It's down to mom that I even graduated, and Lou.'

Nick gave him an impatient look. 'One day you'll understand. When you have a bit more life experience.'

Jamie shook his head. 'No Nick, I don't think I ever will. I don't want to.'

Nick looked as if he was about to argue the point but then he caught sight of Louis and Charlotte, their children surrounding them. 'I'd best get going, I've said my piece. You know where I am if you need me.'

Jamie watched his father's retreating form with a frown on his face. He couldn't make the man out but maybe it was pointless to even try?

'Jamie,' Charlotte called waving to him with her free hand, her one-year-old daughter Emily was perched on her hip.

'Hey mom,' he said breaking into an easy smile as he made his way over. He reached his arms out to Emily, and Charlotte gratefully relinquished her.

'Wow, she's getting heavy,' Charlotte said flexing her arm as if trying to get the feeling back.

'That's cos she's fat,' Julia retorted screwing up her face.

'Don't be stupid,' Andrew said elbowing her, and Julia's scowl deepened.

'Now Julia, your sister isn't fat, she's a baby,' Charlotte said in a mock stern voice.

'She's a fat baby,' Julia said refusing to be dissuaded while Jamie bounced Emily up and down on his hip. Julia had taken the arrival of her sister extremely badly, there'd been many tears and tantrums over the past year. However, Andrew and Jamie were much more relaxed about the addition to the family.

Louis put his arm around Julia. 'Sweetie you've to remember that today is about Jamie,' he said attempting to placate her. 'Not Emily or you.'

'Well Jamie looks like a girl in that gown,' Julia said pushing her lip out even further, and Jamie had to stop himself from laughing. 

'Well maybe he does,' Louis said with a wink. 'But so do all the boys in here.'

'What did your dad want Jamie?' Charlotte asked biting her lip, trying to pretend it was a casual inquiry.

'Supposedly to congratulate me,' Jamie said his voice laced with sarcasm. 

She smiled tightly. 'That's nice, I guess.'

Jamie scoffed. 'Come on mom, he's an asshole, you can say it.' 

Louis guffawed and Charlotte opened her mouth to admonish him for his language.

'Mom it's true,' Jamie said. 'And if you say otherwise, I'll say worse.'

'Say worse about what,' Laura asked slipping her arm into his free arm.

He turned to her smiling. 'I was talking about the asshole.'

'Oh,' Laura said blushing. 'I thought maybe you meant Junior at first.' They all laughed, and Jamie was grateful for the distraction. He didn't want Nick spoiling his day.

'Speaking of Junior,' Louis said slowly. 'I'd better go over there and give Lucy my congratulations.' He looked over at his niece who was stood with her arm around John's waist. He shook his head ruefully. 'I hope this is just a phase she's going through.'

'Now Louis, the Lombardos' are our friends,' Charlotte said smiling up at him.

Louis pulled a face. 'Friends is more than close enough.' He grabbed hold of Julia's hand taking her with him despite her protestations.

'Aww she's a real mommy's girl,' Laura said to Charlotte.

'Yeah, at least one of my kids' likes me,' Charlotte laughed.

'That's not true, mom,' Jamie protested. 'Actually, I think me and Andy like you more than the girls, they're just better actresses.'

They all laughed, and Charlotte took Emily back. 'You kids should go celebrate with your friends. It might be the last time you see some of them, you should say your goodbyes properly.' She looked over at Louis, a wistful look on her face, and Jamie could well imagine she was remembering her own graduation and the people she'd said goodbye to.

'Yeah mom, we will,' he said putting his arm briefly around her shoulder. 'But it's not goodbye for all of us.' He was staying in California to do his associates degree having refused to go away to college. He wasn't hugely academic but he'd agreed to give college a go for two years. He was actually surprised his mom had climbed down so easily.

'Let's go see Lucy,' Laura said taking hold of his hand.

'And Junior,' Jamie said with a mock groan looking over at the couple who were now posing for pictures.

'Actually, I'll join you,' Charlotte said and Jamie grimaced. 'Oh don't give me that look, if everyone's taking photos I want to too.'

Jamie allowed himself to be herded together with Laura, John and Lucy as his mom got her camera out and started clicking away. He looked down at Laura and squeezed her hand. He had no idea what the future held but at least he had the right people in his life. His mom, Louis, Laura, even his pain in the ass sister, Julia. They were all his family and he wouldn't be without them.

                                                                           ~~~