They kept it up throughout the meal, on the way home, and at home. When it got closer to graduation, Zeke had to leave earlier than us to meet up with his classmates in order to prepare. He dressed up in his suit that he wore to the banquet and held his cap and gown in hand.
"So grown up." Gramma dabbed the corner of her eyes as we watched Zeke leave the house.
"We would grow up slower if you saw us more often." Noah hadn't given up.
"Boy, if you don't quit it..." Grampa warned.
Noah grinned. "What? What are you going to do?"
"Don't think you're too big for me to bend over my knee." Grampa wagged his finger at Noah, but didn't make a move.
Normally I'd be frightened with the threat of violence, but coming from Grampa, it was just funny. He wasn't scary or mean. He was a friendly giant.
After a bit of sitting around, Mom called for us. "Boys! Come and let me fix your hair before we go!"
The four of us went and lined up. She started with the twins. "Your hair barely has any pink left. Pictures will come out good today."
"I think I might add some pink before our college visits and camps." Dave remarked. "Help them differentiate me from Kyle."
"Thank goodness." Kyle rolled his eyes. "I don't want to be mistaken for you and I definitely don't want pink hair. Not even a hint of pink. This still makes me cringe."
She put gel in their hair and brushed it to the side, styling their hair fashionably. "Do you really want to Dave? Won't schools and scouts look down on you for being different?"
"Then they aren't the place for me." Dave replied confidently.
"Did you keep the contaminated bottle?" Noah asked.
Dave nodded, his hair styled. "Yep. I'll probably do it before the first camp next week."
"You're crazy." Kyle told him, also stepping away now that his hair was styled.
Mom moved on to Noah. "Well, if that's what you want..." She fixed his hair real quick. "You're going to need a haircut soon, Noah."
Noah shrugged. "I've got all summer."
Mom stepped up in front of me, and slightly hesitated.
Noah laughed. "You've already hugged him today, Mom. I think Jake can handle getting his hair brushed."
I nodded. "You can brush my hair...Mom..."
She put a little bit of gel in my hair and styled it differently from the others because of the difference in texture and length. "You need a haircut as well, Jake."
"All summer." I echoed Noah's words to her.
She laughed and shook her head. "Don't be copying Noah all the time."
"Hey! What's wrong with Jake being like me?" Noah exclaimed from beside us.
"You gamble too much." Dave was quick to say.
"You talk back all the time." Kyle added.
"You have a knack for finding trouble." Dave continued.
"You-"
"That's enough." Dad cut the twins off, coming into the hallway. He saw that all of us were dressed and ready. "How about we hit the road? Parking is going to be crazy and we have your grandparents with us."
"Good idea." Mom agreed.
We got to the car and soon, the majority of us realized that we came across a problem. Seating. Without taking an extra car, it's going to be cramped.
"Maybe I should take Mom's car?" Dave offered.
"No, that's a waste." Mom shook her head.
"You just don't trust me." Dave argued.
"Noah, Dave, and Kyle will sit in the very back." Mom ignored his complaints. "I'll sit in the middle row with Gramma and Grampa. And Jake can sit in the front."
Everyone complied and we filled up the car. I felt guilty looking back at them squished together, but Mom and Noah both gave me reassuring smiles. Neither of the twins complained and it didn't look like the grandparents cared. My grandparents. I smiled.
"What's making you so happy?" Grampa asked, catching sight of me smiling at them.
I blushed. "I was just thinking."
"Thinking? About what? Share the happy thought!" He instructed.
My face felt like it was on fire. "I just...never had grandparents before." That I know of.
He was stumped. He looked at his daughter.
Mom gave a small laugh. "Well, you have a full family now. Brothers, parents, grandparents. I can find a second cousin twice removed if you want."
I shook my head as the boys laughed in the back. "No, no. I'm happy. I'm happy with you guys."
They laughed and the conversation shifted to where we should park as we neared the stadium. The graduation was held at the football and track stadium, so the parents and family members would be able to sit in the stands instead of being squished in the basketball gym.
In the end, the parking was so packed that Dad decided to drop all of us off at front because of Gramma and Grampa's slow movements. We got in line with the other families and slowly moved along. Dad was able to join us before we even found a spot in the stands.
The twins and Noah seemed to know a few faces here and there, exchanging greetings with friends and classmates. Even their parents greeted other parents. The whole family was popular.
We found a spot not too high up, scared to make it difficult for Gramma. I don't know what I thought a graduation would be like...but this wasn't it.
"Soooo boring." Noah grumbled.
I nodded in agreement. We had already listened to four speeches and I really regret not bringing any snacks.
A surprise announcement caught our attention after half an hour though. "Next to the podium is Mr. Zeke Atkins, recipient of the Male Athlete of the Year award. Mr. Atkins is a three year varsity member from the newly crowned baseball CIF championship team. He has also won All-League MVP and is the captain of said team."
All students and parents clapped, but our group was too stunned. From the looks of it, no one knew Zeke was giving a speech tonight.
A familiar figure got up on the small platform, front and center. He got to the podium and adjusted the microphone. "Good evening, as stated before, my name is Zeke Atkins. I'm supposed to talk about the trials, tribulations, and success of my championship team, but sadly there wouldn't be enough time." He stood tall, looking out in the stands of parents. "Some of you may be wondering why I'm giving a speech at all compared to more of the academically successful students. I can't answer that."
There was a murmur along the crowd.
"What are you going to talk about then?!" One of the seniors yelled, his voice loud enough for us in the stands to hear.
Zeke grinned, nodding at the student. "Thanks, Kelvin. What I want to talk about is perseverance. Not giving up. The battle to fight through in order to succeed. My team did that. We won it all." He chuckled. "But there's another kind of perseverance. The kind where you work on yourself, improving your quality of life. Whether that's with your physical traits, your education, or your mental health. The last one being the most important. I want everyone here: seniors, parents, siblings, and teachers. Everyone to persevere on keeping mentally healthy. Don't be ashamed to reach out for help. From your friends, family, even a therapist."
Zeke searched the crowd, stopping at the sight of us. "Keep working. Be a better you. Reach out to help others and reach out to get help. Even if you think about giving up, persevere. You'll get through this. Some of us thought we wouldn't make it through high school, but here we are. Keep it up. Go to college. Even a community college or trade school, just continue your education. Go on walks. Every day. Yoga, lift weights, golf, whatever you want to do, get outside and enjoy the sunshine." He took a deep breath. "I guess all I really wanted to say was that I wish you all happiness. Persevere to find your happiness. Thank you!"
The seniors all stood and clapped the loudest. They cheered for Zeke as he went back to his seat.
"I don't get it." Noah told me while clapping.
I smiled. Noah was too happy to get it. "That's because happiness comes easy for you."
Noah tilted his head to get a better look at me.
But my eyes were on Zeke. I clapped with the crowd, understanding him clearly. Persevere. Things will get better if you persevere. It worked for me at least. I didn't choose to persevere though. The people around me did. The whole Atkins family. Dr. Moore. Coach. Drew. Mr. Miller. The baseball team. Kaylee and Alisha. The people around me helped show me a future I couldn't have dreamed of before.
Almost a year ago today, I was near-death. And I was okay with that. Anything to escape the pain. I didn't have perseverance. I didn't have anything to rely on. I didn't reach out to anyone, but...they started to reach out to me. The paramedics who brought me back. The doctors and surgeons who put me physically back together. Mr. Duncan bringing me away. The Atkins family welcoming me with open arms.
Noah nudged me. "Are you okay..?"
I smiled at him. "I've never been better."
Noah looked skeptical.
"Thanks for always being around to help me, Noah." I told him out of nowhere.
Noah looked surprised but unbothered. "Of course! We're brothers."