Riley
Ifinally did it! I smiled at myself in the mirror as I tied my navy tie that had thin maize stripes moving in a diagonal pattern along the silk. I took a step back from my small bathroom vanity and tucked in my freshly pressed white dress shirt. It took the majority of my latest paycheck to buy the French cuff shirt for this special occasion, but well worth it.
On my chipped tile bathroom counter lay the cheap silver-plated cufflinks that the shirt came with, but I had something much nicer for today. Reaching for the black velvet pouch I had set on the corner of the counter this morning, I emptied the contents into my hand. Two gold “M” cufflinks sprinkled into my palm. Proudly, I marveled at the gold letters that symbolized the great University of Michigan. A broad smile spread across my face as I put them on. I had been saving these for years.
From the edge of the mirror, I pulled off an old photograph and stared athim. It was clear to see the gold “M” cufflinks at his wrists as the sunlight shimmered off of them. I had mirrored his outfit almost exactly. Sure, the brands were different, but the white French cuff dress shirt, the navy dress pants, and saddle-colored shoes were the same. I had studied this picture over and over since I was a boy. This was what I had based the last six years of my life on. In the picture, he pretentiously held the blue diploma holder with the maize letter “M” emblazoned on it. In the background was a huge elm tree with the campus in the distance behind it. I remember waiting beside my mom while his aunt and uncle took several pictures of him.
I had followed in his footsteps with the hope of one day working alongside him. High school hadn’t been fun and games for me. I busted my ass to graduate with a high enough grade-point average to be accepted into the University of Michigan. Still, the scholarships weren’t enough. My mother had some money saved, but the money mostly came from a generous “uncle.” I hadn’t wanted anything more than to graduate from the same school as him… aside fromhim.
With the photograph still in my hand, I reached for the tattered page that had been torn from his graduation program. I had tossed the rest of the program that day but saved this page. In a navy cursive font, and just to the right of the University of Michigan’s “M” logo, it read “Class of 2004.” Using the top of the photo as a guide, I slid it down the page until I found his name.
For nearly twenty years, I idolized and wanted to be like him. I ached to be his friend and run in his inner circle. During the last ten years, my … interest in him morphed into a yearning. I desired him in ways I probably shouldn’t. He had been everything to me ever since I could remember, yet I meant next to nothing to him. And in a few short hours, I would be just like him.
Soon, he would see me for me, and he’d appreciate me.
Alone, I made my way to the graduation ceremony and donned my cap and gown before I took my seat. The venue was filled with University of Michigan flags and banners, acknowledging the Class of 2020, and our Wolverine mascot roamed around wearing a cap as well. Blue and yellow balloons adorned tables and served as arches to walk under. The stage had tall navy vases that overflowed with yellow flowers. Everything was perfect and just as spectacular as I remembered it had been for him. I had been eight years old when he had graduated, and I sat between my mom and his uncle at the graduation ceremony. And now all of this was for me.
As if part of my rite of passage, I sat through several self-indulgent speeches. If that wasn’t enough, nearby were some assholes blowing up beach balls and then punching them into the air. Hushed voices encouraged their fellow classmen to keep the ball in the air. I narrowed my eyes as the guy two seats to my right stood to smack the beach ball across the aisle of students. I was sure his parents must be thrilled. I wondered how long it would be before they realized they had wasted their money sending him to college. He was probably a future politician.
Anxiously, my knee bounced up and down as I glanced at my watch; it was 11:15 a.m. Unlike most of these graduates, I had somewhere very important to be this afternoon. Unfortunately, I had a long wait ahead of me since my last name appeared later in the alphabet. A grueling hour had passed, and it was finally time for my row to stand.
I followed the girl ahead of me with purpose as we were ushered to the small set of stairs that led to the stage. I shook my hands nervously at my side when the girl in front of me moved into the next name position. This was it! I had waited so long for this! The girl’s name was called and she bounced onto the stage giddily to accept her degree. I put my foot on the bottom step as they paused to take her photograph as she gleefully smiled for the photographer.
“Riley Thomas Tucker, Master of Business Administration,” the dean called out.
I did it! Proudly, I skipped two steps at a time and climbed to the stage. I strode across the wood platform to shake hands with the president of our school. As soon as I firmly shook his hand, I took hold of the blue diploma holder with the bright yellow “M” on it. It was exactly likehis.
“Congratulations, Riley,” the president said as he looked me in the eye.
“Thank you, sir,” I replied respectfully.
The photographer did a quick picture of me with the school president before I stepped to the side for my solo picture. I put the diploma holder in my left hand, just likehehad. I took my diploma to my seat and waited for the traditional moving of the tassel from one side of the cap to the other, followed by throwing the cap in the air. After I collected my cap, I went through a long line of people to turn in the blue gown and then made my way outside. I had one last thing I needed to do before leaving campus.
I hurried over to the same tree that he had posed in front of for a picture sixteen years ago. The difference was that no one was here for my graduation. I wouldn’t let it deter me from getting my picture, though. I saw a family approaching with their graduate and knew it was my only opportunity.
“Excuse me,” I called out as they walked closer. I looked at whom I presumed was their son and nodded at him. “Congratulations on your degree,” I said. “I was wondering if I could trouble you to take a picture of me with my diploma by this tree?” I asked the family.
They were more than happy to, and I produced my cell phone and handed it to the graduate. I knew he wouldn’t fuck up the picture and mistakenly get a picture of my feet. I stood precisely howhehad and allowed the same cocky grin to appear on my face.
“All right, got it,” the graduate said and handed me back my phone.
I quickly looked at it … perfect. I was thrilled and offered to return the favor by taking a picture of him and his family together. They quickly gathered together by the tree, and I took a couple of them before giving him back his phone.
On the way to my car, I couldn’t keep the huge grin off my face. I stared at the picture the entire way and was astounded at how identical it was to his. Once in my car, I quickly used a drugstore pharmacy app to order a few of these pictures. I placed the order for the closest location by my apartment and would pick them up on the way home tonight. Now, I was on my way to Evans Financial to collect my other prize.
My appointment at Evans Financial was at 4:00 this afternoon, and though time shouldn’t be an issue, I wasn’t going to test it. Evans Financial was all the way up in Grand Rapids, which was two hours from where I was in Ann Arbor. It was shortly after 1:00 now, and I’d have just enough time to grab some food to eat in the car on the drive. I opted to just get some french fries and a Sprite. I only needed something to hold me over for a few more hours and didn’t want to risk getting anything on my shirt or pants. French fries posed little or no threat to my clothes.
Adrenaline began pumping through my veins as I approached the incredible campus of Evans Financial. Behind the building was a huge grassy field surrounding a man-made lake. There were three subtle fountains in the lake that each had water spilling out at approximately the same height. Ducks and geese floated around and would sometimes wander around the grass. Benches and gazebos were spaced perfectly along the grounds and provided a peaceful backdrop for anyone on their lunch break. Soon, I would be out there enjoying my lunch.
It was 3:40 when I got out of my old Honda Civic. I casually walked to the path that was lined with trees and benches that led to the front doors of Evans Financial. Twenty minutes was too early to go inside. I walked the length of the path from the parking lot to the front doors a few times before I finally sat down on one of the benches. I pulled out my cell phone and gazed at the image of me that mirrored my picture of him.
While I marveled at how much I looked like him in the picture, the front door scraping over the doormat, followed by clicking heels on the concrete, pulled my attention away from my phone. Looking up, three women and two men had just exited the building wearing their bespoke suits, designer dresses, and Gucci shoes. The attire, combined with the briefcases and Prada handbags, told me that these were people who held prominent positions within Evans Financial.
I sat up a little straighter on the wood bench in case they were to look at me. I’d be working with these folks soon, and it was best to make an excellent impression. The five of them chatted as they walked closer, and two of the ladies looked in my direction and smiled. Without moving from my seat, I politely smiled back and then nodded at one of the men who nodded at me.
“Nice, Riley. Nice,” I complimented myself under my breath on how I played it casually cool with the high ups.
The five of them remained at the end of the path before it emptied into the parking lot. One of the women looked back at the building while one of the men looked at his watch. I was sure it was a nice watch too. I looked down at my cell phone at the graduation picture while keeping the high ups’ voices in the background. Metal from the bottom of the door to the building quickly brushed over the doormat, causing me to look up again.
