The Celebration Continues...

The Main Event...Graduation

Recognizing that things weren't going exactly as Dick had hoped and planned, he quickly adopted a new approach to the situation. "Since we are staying at the same hotel (which undoubtedly kept him up all night wondering how that happened) and going to the same ceremony (which shouldn't have come as too big of a shocker), maybe we should all drive together to the campus," he attempted to reason with me as the three of us sat at one of the tables sharing breakfast (will wonders ever cease) that the hotel graciously provides to its guests. I almost acquiesced until we realized that two cars were needed after all. However, we agreed to meet at the stadium where the ceremony would be taking place and would sit together as the "one small unhappy dysfunctional family" we had become.


Amazingly, traffic was very light and I made it to the auditorium in record time. Surprisingly, when I got there, Dick's car was nowhere in sight. This was a big shock considering that we left the hotel together. I couldn't imagine what was taking him so long. Usually he's very competitive and would have gotten there way before I did... just because he always had to be the first and best at everything. I was also floored to discover that the parking lot was basically empty. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually had the luxury of time. So just like Goldilocks testing out all the goods in the Bears' humble home, I leisurely began "trying out" numerous spaces to determine which would be the ideal one to be in when the graduation was over and the mass exodus of proud families would be attempting to leave the grounds. Finally content with the one I claimed close to an exit, I made my way over to the building's main entrance. At that moment, Dick and Marni drove up. The three of us went inside, took our places at the beginning of the line and waited for over an hour in nerve-wrecking, stone-cold silence until the staff finally opened the doors and let the stampeding crowd in. As the saying goes, "The early bird gets the worm." Since we were among the first to arrive, we were able to get great seats. An aura of excitement began percolating throughout the stadium as the commencement ceremonies were nearing commencement time. A plethora of announcements, pictures and info began flashing across the jumbo-tron. As the center filled, the reality of the moment settled in and a surge of emotion overcame me. My baby was graduating college. Where did the years go? When did I get to be so old? What would life have in store for me now??? When the band started playing Pomp and Circumstance, the tears started welling up in my eyes. While the faculty and the graduates began marching their way up the aisles, the floodgates opened up and I did what Oprah refers to as "the ugly cry."

Damn. I hoped I wasn't making a fool of myself. I looked around me and noticed that several other moms were also wiping their eyes. Must be a maternal thing, I tried to reason with myself. However, while the majority were quietly shedding tears of joy, I enviously realized that mine were an uncontrollable, mixed-up, conglomeration of joy, fear, pain, depression, anger, sadness and loss. Trying not to draw too much attention to myself, I focused on the meaning of the morning.

Quincy Jones delivered the graduation speech. He was quite interesting to listen to.
Every once in a while, he made references to his dear friend, Oprah. Being a major Oprah fan, these endearing comments brought a smile to my face and lifted my spirits. Dick, on the other hand was reeling and had a scowl on his face because anything that brought me joy made him miserable. Just the thought of that made me happier and happier. The simple things in life really are the best! With that in mind, I settled back and enjoyed the experience. After the ceremony, we found Josh and proceeded to take "his and her" family pictures. Since Josh didn't share with his frat buddies that his parents were getting a divorce, it was painful and obvious that something wasn't "kosher" with us. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, this graduation was more bitter than sweet and poor Josh had to suffer the consequences.

Graduation Weekend Continued...Day One, Part Two

Remember that Law of Physics... A body at rest stays at rest and a body in motion stays in motion? From personal experience I can tell you that is absolutely correct. When this body finally got a chance to rest, it did not want to be disturbed. All the tumult from the day's activities up to that point caught up with me. My body, quite content where it was, had no intention of picking itself up off of Josh's comfy bed and getting itself back into motion. However, when push came to shove, (literally... although I'll spare you the gruesome details) this body was forced back into high gear and for the next several hours stayed revved up and on the move like the Energizer Bunny.

Fortunately, Josh decided to accompany me to the restaurant where we would be having our pre-graduation dinner. Thankfully, he offered to drive. At that point, fatigue had settled into my bones like an uninvited guest crashing the hottest party in town. Not to be left out, hunger came as the "plus one." Needing to be the center of attention, it rudely announced its presence loud and clear with a garish growl.

Oh well...at least we would be eating soon. I'd be able to relax, unwind and enjoy an outstanding meal at one of my favorite restaurants in Bloomington. What could possibly happen to spoil our dinner?

Funny I should ask...

Josh and I met up with Marni and Dick at the restaurant. We were escorted to our table and sat down. So far... so good. While looking over our menus, our waitress came by to tell us about the specials for the evening. Dick eyed her impatiently and before she was done with her spiel, he blurted out that we will be needing two checks--- one for the kids and him and a separate one for me. We all stared at him in shocked disbelief. The waitress was flabbergasted . As my kids and I were, she was totally caught off guard and didn't know how to respond. I'm sure she didn't get requests like this too often... I'd even go so far as to say, this was probably her first. Needless to say, the mood at our table was no longer festive and upbeat. I wanted to pulverize my kids' father. Josh looked completely demoralized. Dick was unfazed.

In fact,just when I thought that Dick had stooped about as low as he could possibly go, he proved me wrong. This guy never ceases to amaze me. When Marni, Josh and I finally recuperated from the shock over the waitress incident, Dick hit me with his next blow. As we were finishing up our entrees, he stated that he would be making a graduation party for Josh and because he's such a great guy, he's going to invite me to the party. Trying to maintain some sense of composure and knowing that my kids were spectators in Dick's sick game of "What Can I Continually Do To Make Your Life As Miserable As Possible So You Will Beg To End This Divorce Process Already And Give Me What I Want," I tried not to show any emotion even though my dinner was now working it's way back up my throat and wanting to exit my mouth immediately. Again, we were all caught off guard by this. Fortunately, our waitress was spared being a part of this episode.

"What do you mean YOU are making Josh a graduation party," I asked. "I am making a party with MY money and you are welcome to come," Dick retorted. My thoughts were racing fast and furious. Did the kids know about this? Who did he invite to this soiree? Was he planning on bringing Juanita to show her off as his....whatever??? I didn't want to give Dick the satisfaction of asking him anything. Instead I just looked at him (with dagger eyes) and prayed that I was not in for any more surprises that evening. After we finished our meals and our waitress brought us our separate checks, I paid my bill and told my kids I was going to head out to the hotel to unpack. With that, I got up and left the restaurant.

It was about a 45 minute drive to Indianapolis. I wasn't exactly sure where the hotel was and at that point, it was already dark outside. I'm grateful that my directions were perfect and I made it to my destination without any problems. I couldn't wait to check in, get up to my room, relax and finally call it a night. After unpacking, I realized that there wasn't a shower cap in my bathroom, so I went back downstairs to request one at the front desk. In line ahead of me were a middle-aged couple and their elderly mother. I couldn't help but overhear the conversation they were having with the woman behind the counter. It seemed that the elderly woman got a discount on her room by showing her AARP card. Wow! I'm a member of AARP. I should get a discount too. So when it was my turn, I shared the information about my club affiliation, and I too received a discount and cash back on my reservation. I was so excited. I was joking around with the staff that this was almost as good as winning at a slot machine. We were sharing a laugh over this when I looked up and saw that Dick and Marni just walked into the lobby. The timing was perfect. I couldn't have planned this any better if I tried. The look on his face was priceless. I wish I had a camera to capture it. Finally I was in control. I smiled sweetly at them and said, "Imagine this...what are the odds that we would be staying at the same place?"

Touche... two can play at this game!