Page 67 of Beautiful Beginning

We didn’t have a few more days. Not as college students. Our time together on campus was over. I rubbed my hands together thinking whether the two college students, who fell madly in love, could survive beyond it.

The row ahead of mine stood. The time was nearing for me to cross that stage and face whatever it was the other side held for us. With each person that crossed before me, I had an excitement bubbling on the inside.

As much as I would have done it all over again, for the chance to have more time with Journey, I was glad it was over. At least the part with studying, and test taking. That part I’d disregard every time, even in the chance I started all over.

Our row stood, and I straightened my gown. Tugged on my tie to ensure it centered beneath. Held my head high to balance the cap. As I neared the stage, I searched the crowd again. Tried to find her smiling face, her reassuring grin, her comforting eyes. I couldn’t.

So, I straightened my back, looked ahead, and marched forward. I heard a distinct, “Go, baby,” yelled from somewhere in the stands.My mama for sure.

Off the stage, I posed for a picture with my diploma. Then, there she was. A few sections behind me, staring at me.Gorgeous.Even with a cap covering her long hair, shadowing the shape of her eyes, she couldn’t conceal her smile. It was wide and welcoming as I winked in her direction.

Her hand lifted to her mouth, and she blew a kiss toward me. One I gladly caught and placed near my heart. I tucked it there. Just in case.

The students between me and Journey went across the stage. Seemingly taking as long as the four years for me to get there. But when they called her name, she walked across the stage to a rupture of cheers. Because Journey wasthat girl.My girl. And I wish we had longer for us to bethat couple.

As she passed my row, it was time for me to send a kiss her way. Her feet slowed as she stared, catching the kiss and placing it on her cheek. I’d replace that one with a few others if the rest of the students could hurry.

That’s the thing about time. One minute I wanted it to pass slowly, the other I wanted it to speed up.

At the end of the ceremony, we needed to stand to cross our tassels. To officially become graduates. I wanted time to drip through a thin sleeve. And as I navigated through the crowd to find Journey I wanted it to gush out bypassing all barriers.

“Congrats, baby,” I said as she turned toward me. My hand on her elbow. “We did it.”

She wrapped her arms around me and repeated, “We did it. Congratulations, Mr. Brown.”

Her smile didn’t last long, and I would have liked to say mine did anyway. It didn’t. Our knowing stare didn’t succumb to the inevitable though. I offered, “We should find our families.”

“Yeah, then meet back up later?”

I nodded. “Let’s do that.”

I’d be hoping time bent in some other dimension. So, I could both hurry to see her, and wait years for the moment to arrive. My shoulders slumped as I walked through families, classmates, faculty. My family grouped together at the top of the arena. “Chaz,” my dad was the first person to greet me. “You did it, son.” He held my shoulders staring into my eyes. “Congratulations.”

“My turn,” Mama shoved him out the way and wrapped me in her arms. “I’m so proud of you, honey.” She kissed my cheeks, then her eyes closed. “I’m so happy for you.” When she re-opened them she stared before asking, “And where is Journey?” She searched over my shoulder, behind my back, around my sides. “We have a card for her.”

Carter approached inching Mama out the way. “That can wait. Let me get this one in with my brother.” He smacked the shit out of my back. “Inspiring.” He nodded as he pulled away. “I know for sure I have to get in this last year now.”

Mama scoffed from behind me. “Oh, that was a guarantee anyway.” She smacked her lips. “Dropping out should never cross your mind.”

Carter and I exchanged a look. Once Mama was on one, she rode that shit out. She was still going as we neared the parking lot. As people passed us by she realized we were beyond the point of no return.

“Wait. We didn’t see Journey.” Her voice a soft whisper as she cornered me near the car.

“She’s around here somewhere.” I faked a look over my shoulder. What me and Journey needed to discuss next didn’t need to unfold in front of my family, or hers. “I’ll call her,” I mumble when Mama’s expression urged me to pick another answer.

“God,” Journey groaned into the phone, “this is the worst.”

My eyes narrowed and I looked at the screen. “Huh?”

“They haven’t been together in months. And for one night, you’d think they didn’t spend over thirty years together. Like being near one another would kill them.” I could hear arguing in the background. “I’m over it,” she finally said.

“Ugh. Are you still at the arena?”

“Unfortunately.” Then she asked, “Are you? I’ll find you. Let them figure out how they’ll manage sitting across the dinner table from each other. Or not at all.” The last sentence sounded like it was more for her parents than for me.

“We are in the parking lot.” I guided her to our car. And when she was there she crumbled into my arms. “Sorry they are ruining what should be a good night,” I whispered into her ear.

“Journey.” Mama pulled me away from her. “Congrats, dear.” She snapped her fingers and looked between the two of us. “A power couple if I’ve ever seen one.” Mama’s grin was wide. Almost as if the idea of me attending an HBCU and finding a woman like Journey was her plan all along. Not like she would have preferred I attend any other school in the country.

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