Shadow of Fear by Ben Naas

Author:Ben Naas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ben Naas
Published: 2022-04-25T13:33:03+00:00

Friday, May 24

“Oliver Joel Behr.”

I walk to center stage under the bright lights.

“Don’t forget to smile,” Mrs. Bartowski says as I approach her in casual attire.

It’s ten in the morning on our second walk run-through, and I’m ready to go home and take a nap. With the most insincere of smiles, I go to her with an open hand.

“Shake with the right, grab diploma with the left,” she recites. She’s a bigger woman, and her hand envelops my own. “Tilt head down to the right and smile for the photographer.”

I do as she says and exit the stage. I gotta say, I’m looking forward to graduation, but not at all for the walk. I can see myself all too well tripping over my cursed feet and eating vinyl. Also, the idea of being the center of attention for hundreds of people doesn’t exactly pique my interest. I’m ready to get this over with, even though I know I’ll regret that line of thinking soon enough.

***

“Oh, look at my little graduate,” Mom exclaims as I walk upstairs a few hours before the ceremony. “Don’t you just look so cute!” “I don’t even have my cap and gown on,” I reply, wearing the same button-down I wore on my first date with Jensen, with the addition of a tie.

“I just can’t believe my little boy’s about to graduate.”

I shrug and change the subject. “When are we going to dinner?”

“In about thirty minutes. Still want to go with BJ’s?” “Well, since Uncle Jeff ’s paying, most definitely.”

“Before we leave, though,” Dad intrudes, “why don’t you open your presents.”

He runs—okay, maybe not the best way to put; he walks kinda quickly—to their bedroom, returning with a large gift bag, seemingly heavy by the way he is lugging it. I’m fully conscious of the smile taking over my face; opening presents will never get old. I dig in, and the first object I pull out is a nonstick skillet. Confused, I reach back in and grab a pack of various cutlery. With a quick look inside the bag, I see that the contents are all types of home goods, appliances, and tools. I turn to my parents to see what’s going on and find Dad holding out a key.

I slowly reach for it, finally starting to realize what’s going on. “What?” is all I ask as I slowly take it from him.

“It’s your new apartment,” he answers.

“There’s two bedrooms,” Mom adds, “so you can room with Gideon or somebody if you want to. We’ll be paying for everything.”

“You’re kicking me out?” I ask in complete shock at their ambush.

“My dad did the same thing when I graduated, and I can’t thank him enough for it,” Dad explains. “Sometimes we just need a little push.”

I begin to finally come out of my daze. “I’m going to Northern instead of Eastern, because I wanted to stay here for a couple of years. I could’ve gotten a much better scholarship there, but decided I wanted to be with you guys for a little longer.

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