The next Saturday morning, Jess woke with the sun pouring onto her bed, the air already making her sweat under her sheet.  It was going to be a hot day, she realized with dismay, kicking off her covering.  She wished it wasn't.  She knew Doug's graduation was going to be outdoors.   Instead of enjoying the ceremony, she was going to be worrying about how much she was sweating in her brand new dress.  With a sigh, she got up to take a bath.

 Once she was finished, she used plenty of talcum powder, hoping that would help keep her from getting too sweaty.  After putting on her stockings and crinoline, she slipped on her sleeveless summer dress and zipped up the side of the bodice.  Stopping for a moment, she admired the large peach colored roses scattered over the cream cotton fabric, and how the skirt flared out below the matching wide silk peach ribbon band around her waist.  It was probably the prettiest and most grown up dress she'd owned. 

 She brushed out her hair, and then put in the matching peach headband Annie had picked out for her.  Finishing with a pair of heels, she went to her drawer to get a pair of white gloves and then went to get breakfast. Just as she opened her door, Doug was walking out of his bedroom, and when he saw her, his eyes lit up.

"You look nice, Jess!"

"Thanks!  You look nice too," she replied with a smile, and he did.  Smartly dressed in a grey linen suit and tie, with his dark wavy hair combed back and shaped with hair cream, he looked especially handsome.  "I wish it wasn't so hot though," she complained as they went downstairs side by side.

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

Uncle Jonathon was in the dining room, reading his morning paper when they walked in. 

"Hi dad," Doug said, and Uncle Jonathon looked up. 

"Douglas!  Good morning, son!" he beamed, standing and holding his hand out to take Doug's.  "This is a big day!  A very big day," he said, shaking it firmly.

"Yes, sir," Doug replied.

"Your mother –."  He stopped abruptly, his eyes suddenly red.

"I know," Doug said gently, putting is other hand over his dad's. 

At that moment, Annie came through the swinging door, carrying a tray.  Instead of wearing her usual black maid's uniform, she was dressed in a short sleeved seersucker suit with an apron over it and her hair was up in stylish chignon. 

"Oh, my goodness!  Look at you both!" she cried, her eyes travelling back and forth between them. 

"Thank you," they both said at the same time.  From the look on Doug's face, Jess could tell he was just as embarrassed by the attention as she was.

"Have a seat son," Uncle Jonathon said, gesturing and both he and Jess took their places while Annie set their breakfasts plates down.

"Aren't you eating with us, Annie?" Doug asked when she picked up the tray to leave.

"Oh, no.  I've already eaten and besides, I have a bunch of things to attend to before we leave if our luncheon is going to be ready when we get back."

"Annie will be joining us for lunch," Uncle Jonathon informed him, and Doug smiled up at her.

"Good.  It wouldn't be the same without you."  Annie smiled back at him, looking like she was about to cry, before turning to leave.

As they ate, Doug and his dad talked, while Jess stayed silent.  After the blow up over Doug's car, Uncle Jonathon had mostly ignored Jess and she'd done the same with him.  She knew he'd never apologize for how insensitive he'd been that day, and she'd decided to avoid interacting  with him as much as possible.  She didn't think she had any other option since it was clear he was never going to change how he treated her.

While Jess was still eating, Uncle Jonathon looked at his watch, and then put his napkin on the table as he stood.  "It's time to go."  Walking to the swinging door, he pushed it open.  "Annie!" he shouted and then stepped back.  "Ready son?" he asked more kindly.

"Yeah," Doug replied easily, while he and Jess pushed their chairs back. 

Annie must have already known it was time to go because she bustled through the door with her apron off and carrying her purse.  When they were by the front door, she reached into the closet and pulled out a hanger with Doug's black graduation gown.

"I'll carry this until we get there.  I don't want it to get wrinkled," she said worriedly, and reached up to get his cap from the shelf. 

James already had the car outside the garage, waiting for them with the engine running.  He opened the rear door and Jess climbed in.  When Doug joined her on the bench seat, she was surprised he hadn't waited for Annie, and then Uncle Jonathon got in and the door was closed.  James opened the passenger door, and watching Annie get in, Jess felt bad.  Even though all four of them wouldn't have fit in the back seat, she didn't like that Annie was relegated to the 'servant's' position in the car.  It didn't seem right when she was just as much a member of the family as the rest of them.

When they reached the high school parking lot, it was more than half full, and even more families were walking from their homes, all of them with a senior boy or girl wearing their long black gowns and caps.  As soon as Uncle Jonathon climbed out of the car, Jess heard people call greetings to him.  Annie was already out of the car and helping Doug into his gown by time Jess got out.  Once his cap was situated on his head, Annie stepped back to look at him, pulling a handkerchief out of her purse. 

"You look so handsome and – all grown up!" she exclaimed, dabbing her eyes.  "I can't believe it's your graduation day already!"

"Come on, Annie," Doug said, looking embarrassed and amused at the same time.  "Don't start crying now.  What's going to happen when the ceremony starts?" 

"I know," she replied shakily, straightening her back and visibly trying to gain control. 

"Let's go," Uncle Jonathon said with a rough voice, and then cleared his throat before leading the way. 

Doug glanced at Jess with a bemused expression and she gave him an encouraging smile before he turned to follow his father.  She knew he wasn't happy both his dad and Annie were being so emotional, but Jess understood it was to be expected, considering what an important day it was, and how much they both loved him.  And then she couldn't help thinking about her own parents and how happy they would have been if they had gotten to see her graduate.  Feeling a familiar ache come into her chest, she pushed the thought away.

They walked down the sidewalk in front of the school amongst the other families, and when they reached the entrance, Doug left to go inside the building with the other seniors.  The ceremony was being held behind the school in the football field.  Rows of seats were set up in front of a small stage, cordoned off for the graduates, and Annie, Jess, and Uncle Jonathon chose seats in the bleachers overlooking them. 

While they waited for the ceremony to start, the sun beat down on them and Jess felt a trickle of sweat on her forehead.  Noticing it, Annie took a clean handkerchief out her purse and handed it to Jess for her  to wipe the sweat away.  She wished she could take off her cotton gloves, but since Annie was still wearing hers, she knew it would be better to keep them on.  Uncle Jonathon would be sure to say something if she removed them. 

Then the band began to play Pomp and Circumstance and everyone craned their necks to see the students slowly file out of the building and make their way to their seats two by two.  Jess beamed when she saw Doug, feeling an intense pride for him, and then Annie gasped, having spotted him also.  She looked like she might start crying again, and Jess took  her hand. 

"I'm alright, pumpkin," she said quietly, patting her hand gently, and then turned her attention back to Doug. 

Once the graduates were seated and the band had finished, Principal Petersen approached the lectern and after adjusting his coke bottle glasses, began welcoming the families and graduates.  As his speech wore on, Jess looked down at the seniors, thinking about how it would be her and Marty's turn in two years.  Her heart swelled with happiness, imagining the two of them sitting in the seats near the stage listening to the speech while they waited to be handed their diplomas to  freedom. 

The valedictorian, the football coach, and Mayor Melville also gave speeches, and as time wore on, more and more people fanned themselves in an attempt to stay cool.  But then it was the moment everyone was waiting for.  As the names of the students were called one at a time, they walked across the stage to receive their diploma and a handshake from Mr. Petersen. 

When Jess heard, 'Douglas Blackwell', Annie made a small cry, and Jess squeezed her hand while she wiped her tears away with her handkerchief.  Doug looked confident and handsome, striding towards Mr. Petersen, and when he shook his hand, there was scattered applause.  As he left the stage, he searched the bleachers until he saw them and flashed them a quick smile before his expression became serious again.

After the last name had been called and the final student had exited the stage, the students were instructed to stand and move their tassels to the other side of their mortar boards.  Then a cheer went up and some tossed their caps in the air.  The family stood and slowly filed out of the bleachers with the others.  When they reached the field, it was impossible to find Doug in the crowd and they made their way towards the building as they looked for him.  Then out of nowhere, he appeared, looking happy as he strode towards them. 

"Well done, son!  Congratulations!" Uncle Jonathon called out, taking his hand while grasping his upper arm with his other hand.

When Doug turned to Annie, she seemed unable to speak, still dabbing her eyes, and he gave her a hug, making her even more flustered.

"Congratulations, Doug!" Jess said, holding her hand out when it was her turn, but he surprised her by pulling her into a tight hug.

"Thanks, Jess," he said, letting go and beaming down at her.

Now that they were stationary, a group of people surrounded them wanting to shake Doug and Uncle Jonathon's hands, but then Doug managed to extricate himself from the group and approached Annie. 

"It's so hot.  I'm going inside to get a drink of water."

"I suppose it'll be alright," Annie replied, eyeing Uncle Jonathon who was still surrounded by a crowd of well wishers.   "But don't take too long."

"I won't," he reassured her.

With sweat trickling down her back, Jess watched her uncle being congratulated over and over.  It made her uneasy to see how people fawned over him, but he seemed perfectly comfortable with the attention.  It reminded her yet again that this wasn't the kind of life she wanted to live.  Wherever she and Marty went to school, she'd make sure no one knew or cared about the Blackwell family name.

"We need to get going," Annie said worriedly under her breath while looking at her watch.  "The roast is going to get overdone."  Asking Uncle Jonathon to cut his conversations short was out of the question, but Jess knew one way she could help make sure they left as soon as he was finished.

"I'll go get Doug," she offered.

"Oh, thank you!" Annie gasped, and Jess hurried towards the building.

Stepping inside, she was enveloped by the slightly cooler air and took a deep breath, relieved to be out of the hot sun.  She walked down the empty hallway, looking in the gyms to see if Doug was there, but they were empty too.  Stepping into the main hall that ran the length of the building, it was still and quiet.  Perhaps Doug had gone up to the second floor for some reason, she thought and headed for the stairs. 

When she walked into the stairwell, she stopped suddenly, realizing she wasn't alone.  Under the stairs, a couple still wearing their graduation gowns were kissing passionately.  Deciding she'd just pretend she didn't see them, she was about to walk to the stairs when the girl's face came partially into view while they continued to make out.  Even without seeing the blonde hair, Jess knew it was Donna, and then a shock went through her as she recognized the dark wavy hair of the tall boy kissing her.

Slowly stepping backwards, she managed to get out of view before Doug or Donna noticed her, and then she quickly tiptoed down the hall with her heart racing, hoping they wouldn't hear her.  By time she'd made outside the building, the crowds had diminished considerably and Annie and Uncle Jonathon were waiting alone. 

"Where's Doug?" Annie asked, tension and concern evident in her voice.

"I couldn't find him," Jess lied, her heart beating faster. 

"This is ridiculous!" Uncle Jonathon fumed as he looked around.  "People are leaving!"

"I'll go inside and look for him," Annie insisted, putting her hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him, and Jess could feel panic rising up.  If Annie found Doug with Donna, she might mention it in front of Uncle Jonathon, and then there would be no question Doug would lose his chance to go to college.

"I'll do it!" Uncle Jonathon snapped, and Jess felt frantic watching him stalk towards the door.

"Maybe he came out another door," Annie called out to him.  "Jess and I can walk around the building and see if he's outside."

"You stay there!"  Uncle Jonathon bellowed his hand on the door handle.  "I don't want to have to wander around finding you once I've located him!"  Then he wrenched the door open and almost walked into Doug who was coming out.

"Dad!" Doug said with surprise, and Jess could plainly see fear in his wide eyes. 

"Where have you been?" Uncle Jonathon demanded.

"I – I was just – saying good bye to some of my teachers," he stammered, his face turning red.

"Everyone else has left already!" Uncle Jonathon shouted, clearly embarrassed they were one of the last families still there.

"I'm really sorry," Doug pleaded desperately.  "I didn't realize I was taking so long."

"Well, alright," he muttered quietly, seemingly ashamed he'd yelled at Doug.  "Let's go," he said, turning to head to the parking lot.

Doug dropped his head and followed, looking miserable, and once he'd passed them Annie and Jess took up the rear.  While she looked up at his slumped shoulders, Jess wondered what could possibly be going on.  Had Doug and Donna been seeing each other all this time?  But when she thought about it, ever since the break up, she hadn't seen them together at school once, and they both had seemed sad for weeks afterwards. 

Perhaps they'd happened to meet inside and their feelings for each other overtook them.  She could certainly understand how that might happen.  Hadn't she experienced that same overwhelming feeling with Marty?  In any case, it was a close call, and Jess was just grateful neither Uncle Jonathon nor Annie had found them. 

Once they were home, Jess helped Annie clear the breakfast dishes and then put out a celebratory luncheon of roast pork, three different cold salads, and buttered rolls.  By time the four of them took their places at the table, Doug seemed to have recovered from being almost caught and smiled happily at the food.  Uncle Jonathon was also in better mood, jovially serving everyone.  When it was time for dessert, Annie brought out a cake with Congratulations piped in icing and placed it in front of Doug. 

"Here you go," she said with pride, handing him the cake server.

"This looks swell!" Doug said.   

"Wait, son.  I have something for you," he said, stopping Doug before he cut into the cake.  He nodded to Annie and she went through the swinging door, immediately reappearing with a large wrapped gift. 

"Gee, dad.  You didn't have to get me something," Doug said, taking it from her.  He tore the paper off and then held up a leather briefcase.  "Wow!  Thanks, dad!"

"Now that you've graduated, you'll be able to take on an even bigger role at the mine," Uncle Jonathon explained while Doug snapped open the latches and lifted the lid.  "I knew you'd need a way to carry your papers back and forth.  And – I suppose it will helpful at school," he said in a more disgruntled tone.

"Yes, it will!" Doug said happily, closing the briefcase.

"I've got something else waiting for you at the office.  If you want to go when we're finished here, I can show you."

"Really?  Yeah, dad!  I'd like that!" Doug said excitedly.

"Alright," Uncle Jonathon said, smiling at him.

After the cake had been eaten and the two of them had left, Jess helped Annie clean up.  Once the dining room was cleared, Annie surveyed the mound of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink with a sigh.

"I know I should tackle these, but I'm so tired." 

"Maybe you should rest," Jess suggested gently, and Annie turned to her with a sad smile. 

"Maybe I will after a quick bath.  You look like you could use one too, pumpkin.  It was hot out there today."

"Yes," Jess replied slowly.  "Or maybe I'll go for a swim," she added, watching Annie's reaction.

"I suppose that would work too, just be careful about going in too deep.  You've had a big lunch."

"I will.  I always do."

"Your uncle had Doug's office made up, that's what he took him to see.  I expect they'll be there a while, but you should be back by dinner time."

"Okay.  Thanks Annie!" Jess said happily, stepping forward to give her a hug.

Jess ran up the back stairs and began peeling off the layers of her sticky clothing.  Quickly locating her bathing suit, she pulled it on and threw a sundress over it.  As soon as she had on her sandals, she was down the stairs and out the door, anxious to see Marty. 

When she reached the clearing, she was glad to see the front door open, but when she stepped inside, the cabin was empty.  Looking around, she noticed the fishing pole was missing.  Certain Marty would want to swim with her, she checked the drawer in the bedroom where he normally kept his suit and found it.  She gathered up their towels and headed out the door with a smile, imagining the look on his face when he saw her.

She spotted him long before he noticed her.  He was seated on the log with the fishing pole, looking out at the water.  She kept quiet as she approached, and was almost upon him when he finally turned his head.

"Hey!" he said, a big smile spreading across his face as he set down the pole and stood.  "I didn't think you were coming."

"We're all done with the graduation stuff, so I decided I might as well.  How's the fishing?"

"Not that great," he grinned with a shrug.

"Want to swim?" she asked, holding his suit out to him, and he laughed.

"Am I supposed to change out here in the open?"

"You can.  I won't look.  I promise," she grinned.

"Well, alright, but only since you promised," he said, taking the suit from her with his the corners of his mouth twitching. 

He reeled in the fishing line while Jess kicked off her sandals and pulled off her dress.  Then he went behind a bush to change and she stepped into the pond.   The water felt deliciously cool, and she dove in to wash away the sticky sweat.  When she came up, she heard splashing and she knew it was safe to turn around.  The wily grin on Marty's face let her know what was up to and she shrieked with laughter while leaping in the opposite direction to escape him.

Later when they were resting under the willow tree, propped on their elbows side by side so they could watch the water, Marty looked over at her.

"So, how was it?  How was the graduation?"

"Hot!  And kind of boring.  But it won't be boring when we do it," she added with a grin.

"I reckon not," he replied, returning her smile.  "So – what do they make you do?" he asked more seriously.  Even though he was trying to hide it, she could tell he was nervous, and she realized he probably had no idea what was involved with a graduation ceremony.

"Well, they have you wear a black gown and a –."

"You mean I gotta wear a dress?" he asked with outrage.

"No!" she said, trying not to laugh.  "It's kind of like a coat, I guess, but lighter, and you wear a cap with a square thing on top.  I don't know how to describe it but they call it a mortar board."

"It sounds stupid," he muttered.  "Do you have to wear that stuff?"

"Yes, you have to!  It's tradition."  He scowled at her.  "Everyone else will be wearing it too, so you won't feel strange," she reassured him.  "And then the band plays 'Pomp and Circumstance' while the seniors come out and take their seats.  People give speeches, and then they call everyone's name and when your name is called, you walk on a stage and Principal Petersen gives you your diploma.  That's about it."

"That doesn't sound too hard," Marty said, looking out at the water, visibly relaxing.

"Just imagine Marty," Jess said dreamily.  "In two years, we'll be the ones walking across the stage."

"Yeah," he said, smiling, a far off look on his face.

"And then, we can do whatever we want, go wherever we want.  It'll be grand!"  He turned to face her, his eyes filled with happiness.

"I reckon so."

****

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter!  Doug's graduation has been somewhat eventful.  What do you make of Jess finding him with Donna?  Do you think Jess was right in thinking they haven't been seeing each other all this time?  Does this change your opinions about what his feelings for Jess might be?  And the ceremony has made Jess think more about her own future plans with Marty.  Can't wait to hear what you have to say about that!

If you liked this chapter, please let me know with a comment and a vote!  The video is The One You Slip Around With by Jan Howard.