It was nine at night, and everything was going smoothly. Nobody tripped onstage, no last minute disasters. Graduation flowed perfectly, even though it felt like it had all happened just yesterday. After everyone was called up in order, the group of five two women and three men (Nina, Tia, Loyd, Garry, Abe) gathered for one final meal together to mark the end of their college lives.
Throughout dinner, they talked endlessly, laughing, teasing, joking, and arguing just enough to keep things lively. One by one, each of them left. Loyd and Nina stayed behind, hugging everyone, crying, and listening to the others mock all the emotional drama. Once the rest were gone, only Loyd and Nina remained. They stood together in the parking lot, looking at each other, trying to find the right words for a
