“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 like he had. 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 that 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 how he had and allowed the same cocky grin to appear on my face.
“Alright, 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 the picture had been 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 their 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 Evans Financial quickly brushed over the doormat, causing me to look up again.
Holy fucking shit!
There he was. Griffin Miles Evans.
I couldn’t move.
His long strides in the expensive dress shoes carried him swiftly down the walkway to where the other high ups stood. Griffin stretched his arm forward,
