Graduation Day

"Booker, there she is! Wave!" Elizabeth cried in excitement as she thrust her arm up in the air.

One of Sally's friends tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to the pack of excitedly waving figures. She returned their waves with a 'peace sign' and made her way to one of the vacant seats.

This year's graduation ceremony was one of the largest in the school's history and accordingly the stadium was filled beyond capacity. Thankfully they had come early, as many of the late coming parents had to watch from the fence.

Elizabeth gripped Booker's hand tightly. It had been a struggle to get her here, and in it's way it felt like she was losing her again. This was Sally's first big step into adulthood.

A hand touched her shoulder and she looked back. Robert and Rosalind were there as well. As Rosalind put it, they would be remiss in their duties if they failed to see the fruit of their labor. Truthfully they really had been indispensable in Sally's education.

As the ceremony progressed a young woman with short brown hair approached the podium. It was now time for the valedictorian to give her speech.

"Sally should be the one up there." Rosalind said, crossing her arms.

"There's no doubt about her academic achievements, so I don't see the point in concerning yourself with matter. Robert replied.

"All the same, the girl was robbed." Shifting towards Elizabeth and Booker she added. "And her parents will agree, won't they?"

But Elizabeth was on the verge of tears and immune to outside inquiry. Booker held her close in an attempt to calm Elizabeth. Despite his efforts Elizabeth trembled in his arms as the speech reached it's conclusion.

Elizabeth shook Booker's arm excitedly. "Booker, look!"

The faculty had lined up and began to list off names. As each name was called the student in question walked up on to the stage and shook hands with the faculty before being handed their diploma.

"Jennifer Carr" "Tom Culper"

Booker and Elizabeth's excitement was palpable as the list entered into the names beginning with "d". The seats next to Sally kept vacating as more and more students claimed their diploma.

"Mark Delany" "Amanda Dermott"

Elizabeth held her breath as the last "d" name was called.

"Sally DeWitt"

Elizabeth exhaled with a rush of energy. "Sweetie, your dad and I so proud of you!" She cried out.

Sally turned to the sound and waved both her arms, nearly tripping on the steps up to the stage.

"There's our girl." Booker whispered, drawing Elizabeth close.

Booker and Elizabeth navigated down the bleachers and onto the field, the Luteces in tow. Sally waved and tried to direct them to her, but people had begun to clump together into cliques, making it difficult to move unimpeded.

Elizabeth rushed to meet Sally as she bursting through a crowd of idling faculty. Together the two of them hugged and jumped up and down in excitement.

Booker laughed and put a hand on Elizabeth's back. "Give the girl some room, you'll smother her."

"Dad!" Sally exclaimed, throwing her arms around Booker.

Booker grunted as he lifted Sally into the air in celebration. From her position she waved and several passing students, each surrounded by their own friends and family.

"Alright, here you go." Booker said, lowering her to the ground. Beaming with joy, Booker removed Sally's cap and rustled her hair.

"Hey, don't be shy you two."

"Robert! Rosalind! I'm so glad you could make it!"

"What kind of teachers would we be if we missed our favorite students graduation?"

-----

Booker, Elizabeth and the Luteces sat in a semi-circle around the living room and watched Sally open her gift. A bottle of celebratory champagne occupied the small coffee table in the middle of the room.

"Oh wow, this is perfect." Sally said, smiling. In her hands was a large manuscript that bore the title Idle of the Cross. "But I thought Melville burnt this?"

"Well, if he was going to burn it anyway then I suspect he won't miss it." Booker responded with a shrug.

"And it is your graduation gift, after all." Elizabeth added.

"That is quite impressive. Even if that may be cheating. But I believe we may have found

a gift more suitable for a young woman her age." At that Robert stood with a flourish and paced to the door. "Shall we?"

Booker and Elizabeth exchanged confused glances as they walked outside. Sitting in their driveway was a brand new car. A beautiful black muscle car with silver trim.

"Our dear Robert appears to have a pathological need to upstage you two." Rosalind said with a grin.

Sally screamed and hugged Robert across the waist. "Wow!"

"Waitaminute, that car..." Booker paced the perimeter of the car, lightly touching the hood with the tips of his fingers.

"...Wow!" Sally repeated, still stunned.

Booker turned to Robert. "That's a GTO. How did you afford that? You didn't...?"

Robert shook his head and waved his arms vigorously. "Of course not. It's entirely legitimate, I assure you."

"Isn't this a bit much for a beginner?" Elizabeth asked, turning a concerned glance to Booker.

"It'll be fine, mom. I've got a good teacher, right dad?"

"Just name the time." Booker responded absent-mindedly as he inspected the tires. Sally and Elizabeth exchanged knowing grins.

-----

It was nearing midnight when Sally finally decided to turn in for the night. She had

just finished changing when she hear a small knock on her door.

Sally heard Elizabeth's voice from under the door. "May I come in?"

"Sure mom, I was just about to go to bed."

Elizabeth opened the door and gingerly stepped into her room. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she spied scanned the bookshelves that lined her walls. Sally had most certainly inherited her love for reading.

Elizabeth sat down on the bed next to Sally and ran her fingers through the blonde hair that hung loosly around her shoulders. "I just wanted to say that I'm really proud of you and-" Elizabeths voice began to tremble. "No matter what we'll always be here for you, okay? You're my little girl."

"Mom." Sally replied with a grin. "It's just graduation. I'm not moving away or getting married or anything like that."

Elizabeth's eyes traced the carpet at their feet. "I know."

"Besides, even if I were leaving you'd still be my mom. Nothing will change that. You're my mom no matter what."

Elizabeth wiped a tear from her eye as she stood. "I love you sweetie."

"I love you too, mom."