Chapter 9 - The Graduate
Two years later.
The sunshine fell brightly across the horseshoe oval at The Ohio State University in Columbus.
Thousands of graduating students dressed in black gowns and red sashes sat on the grass, surrounded by tens of thousands of cheering family members in the stadium stands.
I stood among the graduating class of the Department of Computer Science and Digital Engineering, wearing my dark black gown and gold honors cord.
“Logan Walker!” the dean’s voice boomed over the stadium loudspeakers.
I walked across the wooden stage, accepting my diploma with a firm handshake from the university president.
As I walked off the stage, I looked up into the primary family section of the stands.
There stood my father, wearing a crisp new suit, holding a massive camera and waving frantically. Beside him stood my mother, blowing kisses through her tears.
And standing right beside them, holding a massive poster board painted with bright blue stars, was Emily.
She was seventeen now, a senior in high school, an award-winning young artist whose drawings had been featured in state galleries across Ohio. The poster she held read: THAT’S MY BIG BROTHER!
I couldn't help but laugh, holding up my diploma toward them, my heart bursting with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and peace.
After the ceremony, we met near the grand bell tower on campus.
Dad pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, patting my back so hard it knocked the air out of my lungs. “I’m so proud of you, son. So damn proud.”
“You did it, Logan,” Mom wept, hugging my neck tightly.
Emily stepped up to me, holding a small wooden box.
“This is for you, Logan,” she said softly, handing me the box.
I opened it. Inside sat a hand-carved silver key chain. On one side was engraved the date of my graduation. On the other side was a tiny, beautifully hand-engraved picture of a blue porch light, surrounded by six words:
To my brother. My eternal light.
I closed my fingers around the silver keychain, pulling my little sister into my arms, resting my cheek against her soft hair.
May you like
“I love you, Em,” I whispered.
“I love you too, Logan,” she replied softly. “Forever.”
