When he left the house, he’d been worried that graduation might still be going and that he’d arrive too early for the party, but judging by the lively traffic through town, he felt certain that it was over. And when he got to the doorway that led up to the apartments above the gallery, there were balloons in the high school’s red and gold colors and a sign that said COLLIN’SPARTYUPHERE—WELCOME!
He followed red and gold streamers up the stairway to where a door was wide open and another sign said COMEINANDCONTINUETOTHETERRACE. He could hear music playing as he walked through what was a surprisingly attractive apartment, albeit a bit cluttered with multiple pieces of artwork and lively colors. But it was a nice, wide-open space with clean white walls and what looked like a recently remodeled kitchen. All in all, the space was rather inviting. But it was what he saw when he went through the opened French doors that almost took his breath away.
It was the scent that first hit him—green and herbal and fresh. Then he took in the delicate white lights and hanging lanterns that illuminated the outdoor garden. The effect was surprisingly elegant, like something out of an old classic film. As George slowly walked past small potted trees and flowers and plants, he got the impression of a fairyland in the nighttime. A water feature with an angelic sculpture was lit with a soft pinkish light. George then saw a pathway lined with lanterns, leading him toward the sound of voices and opening out to a seating area where there appeared to be about a dozen or so people gathered.
“George, you made it.” Willow came over to greet him, proceeding to introduce him to the others. He recognized Willow’s gallery assistant, who was there with her husband.And, of course, he already knew Collin and Marissa. Marissa’s mother was there as well as a couple of Willow’s artist friends. But it was the dark-haired girl with the angry countenance that made George uneasy. “This is my daughter Josie and her boyfriend, Garth.” Willow sounded like she had a slight strain to her voice.
“Pleased to meet you all,” George told everyone. Then he turned to Collin. “Congratulations on your graduation.” He handed Collin his present. “A little something to commemorate this occasion.”
Collin thanked him, then proceeded to read the card and carefully unwrap the package. “An Emerson book from Mr. Emerson,” he said happily. “Thank you so much. I’ve read some Ralph Waldo Emerson, but I’m not sure I fully understand his philosophy.”
“I would be surprised if you did. Although I’ve been acquainted with him for decades, I don’t fully understand it myself,” George admitted.
“But I like his thoughts on living and thinking independently,” Collin said. “He’s not one to follow the crowd.”
“I thought you might appreciate that.” George smiled. “I know I do.”
“Well, a lot of us don’t want to follow the crowd,” Josie said a bit sharply. “But then not everyone can appreciate other people’s forms of individuality.” She glared at Willow, as if her words were aimed toward her. “Some people insist on shoving us into their narrow-minded expectations.”
Willow didn’t respond to her daughter’s jab and, taking George by the arm, led him over to a table loaded with appetizers and drinks. “Please, fix yourself a plate.” She pleasantly explained what there was to choose from, obviouslyin an attempt to distance herself from her caustic daughter.
“Thank you.” As George began to select some bits and pieces, he could hear Josie still taunting her mother. And then Collin spoke up.
“I don’t think you’re a true individualist, Josie.”
“What do you mean by that?” she snapped back.
“Well, think about it,” Collin said calmly but firmly. “You’re just a follower.”
“I am not.”
George turned, cringing to see Collin facing off with Josie. Clearly he had no respect for his “mother,” but George hated to see them getting into a sparring match. Everyone else watched with wide eyes.
“You’ve devoted your life to being a groupie to your boyfriend’s grunge band,” Collin said plainly. “That makes you a follower.”
Josie’s boyfriend let out a loud snort of laughter. “He’s got you there, Josie.”
“Shut up!” she growled at him. “The only reason I follow your stupid band is because my own mother threw me out and disowned me—just because I was a single mother.”
“Oh my.” Willow shook her head. “Please, Josie, let’s remember this is a celebration for Collin and—”
“It’s okay, Nana.” Collin waved a hand at her. “If Josie wants to make a scene, I think she should bring it. Maybe it’s about time we had this out. But first of all, I want to refute what my birth mother just said. I might’ve been just a kid, but I remember what happened.” He turned to the other guests. “My grandmother never disowned her or threw her out. The truth is that my birth mother neverwanted to be a mother. She was always dumping me with my grandparents. Then when I was four, she abandoned me for good. She left to follow a band. She was supposed to come back the next day, but she just disappeared—for days. CPS eventually turned over custody to my grandpa and—”
“Yourgrandpa?” Josie challenged. “Asher wasn’t even related to you, Collin.”
“Maybe not by blood, but he treated me far better than you ever did,” Collin shot back. “He was a father to you too, Josie, but you didn’t even come to his funeral.” He shook a fist. “And I wish you hadn’t come for my graduation either.”
“Big surprise there.” Josie narrowed her eyes at Willow. “You’ve obviously poisoned him against me.” She turned back to Collin. “But beware, my son, you come from a long line of messed-up people. Children having children is a big, fat mistake.” She pointed to Marissa, who was watching with wide eyes. “Maybe you’re the one I should warn since a teen pregnancy would—”
“That’s enough!” George said loudly. Everyone turned to him. Feeling almost as if he were in the classroom attempting to restore order, he continued. “I think we’ve all heard enough, Josie. My understanding is that this party is to honor Collin, and if you can’t participate in that, I think you should excuse yourself.” To George’s surprise, everyone began to clap. Even Josie’s boyfriend. And just like that, Josie stormed out.
“I’m sorry,” George muttered to Willow. “I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds just now. I suppose my inner teacher just took over. Please—”
“Don’t apologize.” She smiled brightly. “You have no idea how much I appreciate your intervention.”
“I do too,” Collin told him. “Thank you, Mr. Emerson.”
“Okay, everyone, let’s not let Josie’s bad manners ruin the party,” Willow said loudly. “We still have a lovely cake and lots of food and drinks. I think we should all make a toast to our two graduates.”
