Read The Star Group for Free Online Page B

College, in the stadium. Whittier College's only claim to fame was that it had been the alma mater of President Nixon. Otherwise it was a pretty boring place, as was the rest of Whittier, which adjoined La Mirada, another boring place. No wonder Mentor wanted to take us elsewhere to awaken our souls. The local vibe was not inspiring.
    We had a glorious evening, clear skies and warm temperatures. Our school colors were blue and gold. I was not a knockout student but had earned enough A's and B’s to get a gold tassel. Jimmy and I kidded each other in the college parking lot as we threw on our gowns.
    “We look like priests,” he said.
    I tried on my hat or cap or whatever it was called. “We should be allowed to keep these gowns. They cost us twenty bucks.”
    “And when are you going to wear a graduation gown again?”
    He had a point. “I'm a nostalgic kind of guy.”
    “If things go well with Gale tonight you might be dreaming of tonight for the rest of your life.” He grinned. ““Do you have condoms?”
    “Get out of here! I don't just want her for her body.”
    “But you do want her body?”
    “Sure. But she's not going to sleep with me on the first date.”
    “She might; it's a special night. She might want to try to make it more special.”
    “You're crude.”
    “I'm a realist. Do you want condoms or not? I have an extra pack in my glove compartment.” He added quietly, “I haven't used them lately.”
    I looked around at the people pouring into the stadium.
    “We have to take good care of Shena,” I said.
    Jimmy looked at me strangely. “That's what I've been trying to do this last six months.”
    “Jimmy? Can I ask you a personal question?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Was it your fault?”
    He stopped. “I don't think so.”
    “What happened exactly?”
    He shook his head and locked up the car. “I don’t want to talk about it, not tonight.” He added. “Tonight is supposed to be fun.”
    I nodded as he handed me his keys. “Sorry, I just worry about you two.”
    He was not offended, that was the great thing about Jimmy. He could let the little things go. Unfortunately, he was mortal and could not drop the big things.
    But Jimmy asked me a weird question as we walked toward the stadium.
    “What did you do this afternoon?”
    “What do you mean?” I asked.
    He studied me. “You look like you were up to something.”
    I shrugged. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
    Inside the stadium was crowded. Family members and friends were in the stands; our class sat on folding chairs on the football field, around a raised stage. The latter was decorated with flowers, posh chairs, and a huge banner. Jimmy left me for the stage and the other celebrities. Naturally I was searching everywhere for Gale, but I found Sal and Teri first. It did my heard good to see them standing hand in hand. Sal waved me over; he somehow looked more dignified than the rest of us in his blue gown. He shook my hand as I approached, like I had just won an Olympic gold medal.
    “I heard you popped the question and she said yes,” he said. “Good job.”
    “I paid her to say yes,” Teri said. She giggled when she saw my face fall. “Look at our sensitive boy. No, Daniel, I'm just teasing you.”
    I was still looking. “Have you seen her?”
    “Yeah, Gale's around.” Sal lowered his voice. “But Shena told me she's not coming. This evening or tonight.”
    The news stung. “When did you talk to her?”
    “I called her an hour ago. I offered to pick her up but she said no. She sounded horrible.”
    “I want to visit her before we go to Disneyland,” Teri said. “I can't stand the thought of her sitting home alone tonight. I’ll stay with her if I have to.”
    I appreciated Teri's willingness to sacrifice.
    “This is turning out to be a complicated day,” I muttered.
    Sal shook his head. “It's a big bad world out there.”
    Teri stared at him with such repressed emotion, it made my heart ache.
    “It doesn't