When You Grow Up, You Can Be Anything (Within Reason)

By Joe Micik

Connor Reynolds arrived at Ohio’s Garfield State University in 2009 a broken-down 18-year old
man. His life torn apart by experiences in jail and the abandonment of his friends, Connor
found an unexpected new best friend in Mike, his roommate who seemed like his polar
opposite. Through adversity, the two learned just how much they had in common and became
very close as Connor overcame his emotional scars, though he still had a debt to pay to his
friend.

In 2013, play time is over.

Connor, Mike, and all of their friends are set to graduate from Garfield State in May. Ever the
meticulous planner, Connor worked out the next stage of his life well before leaving school: he
and Mike were on their way to getting jobs in Cleveland and they had even picked out their
new apartment. Though this end of an era presented some overwhelming sadness, Connor’s
new era was sure to start off with a bang.

It sure did. A week after commencement, a bloody and badly-injured Connor laid alone in the
middle of an open field in rural Kentucky.

Connor faces the loss of his job and the loss of his friends once again, but more importantly, the
loss of his sense of purpose. Life starts passing him by on that fateful day and after a year, he
fears he’ll never catch up. It takes a shoe store, tragedy, and a famous poet to inspire him to take a chance and finally make something of himself, but just when Connor starts meeting new
people and his life is coming back together, old nemeses from his past stand in the way and
threaten to ruin everything.

And that debt must still be paid.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joe Micik
• Release date: Apr 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301140923

Joe Micik

Joe Micik has lots of ideas; occasionally, he puts them on paper. Joe has written about Boston College sports for over three years at soaringtoglory.com; he also has experience in broadcast radio. Joe is an alumnus of Boston College, where he earned a B.A. in two fields that will absolutely not land you a job. He spends his days writing and his free time -- er, writing. And watching the game(s).

Book preview

WHEN YOU GROW UP, YOU CAN BE ANYTHING (WITHIN REASON)

by

Joe Micik

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Joe Micik on Smashwords

When You Grow Up, You Can Be Anything (Within Reason)

Copyright © 2013 by Joe Micik

Discover other titles on Smashwords by Joe Micik at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/joemicik

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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WHEN YOU GROW UP, YOU CAN BE ANYTHING (WITHIN REASON)

Chapter 1

Connor Reynolds screamed at the top of his lungs in the face of his roommate, Mike Baugh, who screamed back in his with a similar intensity.

The two had had their share of difficulties over the years, but there was no animosity to be found today; moments later, the two clutched each other and jumped up and down a few times while their friends cheered around them.

Awesome! shouted Geoff, their husky, tall, high-pitched suite-mate from the next bedroom over. Connor and Mike had just won that party’s beer pong tournament. Their prize? More beer. One of the other young men placed a six-pack of generic brew in front of them.

We haven’t lost yet this year, Connor said after momentarily calming down.

We’re going out winners, Mike practically shouted.

As the two buddies were still in an awkward embrace that bordered on sexual (but they were semi-drunk so it’s not like they could tell), the beer pong event broke up in the kitchen area of their good friend’s apartment and they moseyed to the living room with the other fifteen or so guests. Mike eventually let go of Connor, but they would have to do so in more ways than one the next day.

Oh, dude, Connor said to Mike, why haven’t they called yet?

Huh? asked Mike, his focus clearly going in and out.

The lady who was supposed to call for that thing.

"What thing? You’re, like, losing me. Or something."

"The job thing."

"Oh – oh, Mike said, realizing what Connor meant. Well, maybe you gotta call tomorrow. I’d hate for things to not work out."

They have to work out, but what if they don’t?

Man, you’re gonna get it. We just won a beer pong tournament so just chill, okay?

But it’s kind of important.

Four years, dude. Four years and you still can’t totally chill for like ten minutes.

"If we want there to be more years, it has to work out, Connor said in a panicky state. And besides, I just chilled out for, like, totally more than ten minutes," said the drunken young man with no concept of time.

"They will, just shut up," Mike said while one of the young men at the party passed out small, clear plastic cups with some champagne in them. That was definitely not typical fare at a college party, but on such a night, it seemed to fit.

Connor, you won, so why don’t you do it, said one of the female voices from the gathering. He stood up with his glass and held it to the ceiling in the somewhat dark university suite. It took him a minute of attempting to become cogent enough to speak.

To the Garfield State University Class of 2013, Connor exclaimed while only somewhat in control of his mental faculties. May our paths all cross again and may Tom and Craig still be so easy to beat in beer pong, he said as all gathered laughed. He raised his glass higher, as did the rest of the men and women present, then they downed their champagne as quickly as possible. That moment and the few thereafter were the quietest Connor or Mike had ever experienced at a GSU party. Connor did his best to live in the moment while he could, even though nobody knew what to say.

Meanwhile, he still freaked out not having gotten his phone call. It bothered him, as most things had a habit of doing. Unresolved issues especially worried him – Connor was not the sort of guy to like being left in the dark, unless it was in a dorm room with someone naked. Unfortunately, the latter was more like a goal, not something he could just do at will.

Nobody there was accustomed to the quiet, so soon the party animals started to party again, but Connor and Mike were very tired after their hard work in winning a tournament against three other teams of two. The action started late, because Connor was out to dinner in Cleveland with his entire immediate family until about 8 p.m. that night; when they all went to the hotel, Connor and Mike were ready to go party one more time.

By the time the champagne toast was over, it was close to midnight. Connor was still a little scattered from all the cheap beer, but he recognized that the clock had gone from Sunday to Monday, and Monday was the day.

I think I’m ready to check out, Mike said to Connor, yawning while still sitting on the couch.

Yeah, pretty big day coming up, Connor said with a chuckle.

You leaving? Geoff asked from the corner of the living room, overhearing the two.

We’re going back, yeah, Connor said.

See you guys over there, Geoff said as Connor and Mike stood up and said some particularly long goodbyes to their friends. After about fifteen minutes, they were out the door and walking across the Garfield State campus on a particularly warm night. The two roommates walked and talked the whole way, with Connor still expressing concern over his lack of a phone call that day, not remembering that it was a Sunday and they weren’t going to call, anyway.

So much is riding on that, man, Connor said.

Worry about it tomorrow. You’ll have plenty of time then.

"But I want to worry about it now."

You know, Mike said with a laugh, "I’m glad some things about you haven’t changed. I mean, in some ways, but not all."

Well, you were responsible for a lot of those good changes, Mike.

I know, but if I helped change everything about you, then you wouldn’t be you, now would you?

Huh?

I think what I’m trying to say is that you made some really big improvements, that’s all, Mike said.

Thanks, Connor said. He looked around and felt a little despondent. This is really it, huh?

Well, for now, Mike responded, feeling the same pit in his stomach.

Back then, I couldn’t wait to leave.

"Now they’re kicking us both out."

"I remember when it was just you they kicked out," Connor said to Mike.

Yeah, well, that was just for a year, and you followed me.

Best decision I ever made. I still can’t repay you enough for what you –

No, dude, stop, Mike said as he put his hand on his best friend’s shoulder. You don’t have to thank me for anything. I would gladly do it all again, and besides, it was four years ago.

But what about everything since?

What about it?

I’ve wanted to repay you for what you did, Connor said as they approached the main entrance to their residence, Goldman Hall. You’ve done so damn much for me.

You’ve repaid me over the years with your friendship, Mike replied as he swiped his access card and opened the door, letting Connor in first.

No, Mike. It’s something that’s bothered me for years.

Lots of things bother you, Mike said. You’d do the same for me.

I’ve never had the chance.

Well, then maybe you should get someone to frame us for trying to burn down the dorm again.

Once was enough, thanks, Connor responded as he punched in the keypad code to their room and entered. It was a four-man suite with a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms and two bedrooms. Mike flicked on the light, kicked off his shoes in the living room by the television stand and some boxes which had been packed, took his shirt off, and went into his shared bedroom with Connor to go to sleep.

You staying up much later? Mike asked.

No, Connor responded as he began to brush his teeth and prepare for bed himself.

Good night, Mike said.

Connor stopped brushing for a minute and walked the short distance into the bedroom. I’m serious, Mike. I had been thinking about it lately.

Thinking about what?

The things that made us friends all those years ago, Connor responded.

Someday, Mike said as he faced Connor while lying in his own bed for the last time, "someday, I’ll let you pay me back for it if you want, but you don’t have to do anything. I’m just glad everything worked out."

Someday I will, Connor said, then returning to the bathroom to brush his teeth, amongst other things. Four years had gone by and the opportunity never arose for Connor to give Mike a gift as great as the one Mike gave him during their freshman year. He thought it would come, but not on the same level. Roommates since day one at college, the common experience that he and Mike shared back then was horrible, aside from the fact that it made them best friends for life. Mike’s selfless act four years earlier ended the worst one-year stretch of Connor’s life, and it had been relatively smooth sailing ever since.

Connor walked back into the bedroom to find that Mike was already falling asleep. He could still hear the noise from revelers outside and throughout Goldman Hall, and part of him wanted to join them, but it was a long Sunday and Connor had nothing left to give.

***

As the sun rose over Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, May 20, 2013, the whole campus of Garfield State University suddenly became alive. Connor Reynolds, a twenty-two year-old senior at said university, did not want to leave just yet, but the day he dreaded for years was finally upon him: graduation.

His alarm went off at seven in the morning, but he had been up since about 6:30. He was unable to sleep for most of the night as commencement was only a few hours away. Connor was the first of the young men in his room to shower and dress, putting on his cap and gown. Once he had it on, he stared at himself in the hallway mirror for at least five minutes while he let the gravity of the situation hit him. Sure, the black robe went well with his above-average looks, slight tan from his recent spring break, brown hair and blue eyes, but it was a little too long for his 5-foot-9 stature.

Eventually, he became too anxious to stare at himself, so Connor started to pace nervously around his spacious four-man dorm room. After a few minutes, Mike, wearing only his boxers and a proverbial smile, emerged from the bathroom with a toothbrush in his mouth and grabbed him by the shoulder.

Will you chill the hell out? Everything is going to be fine, Mike said as began to reach for his molars. You’re always so jumpy, dude.

"Everything is not going to be fine, Connor snapped back, clearly more focused and sober than the night before. For one thing, I still haven’t gotten that call yet. Two, I’ve adapted so much to life here, and there’s still so much we didn’t do. Wanna go play catch outside?"

No, Mike replied as best he could with toothpaste impeding him. "We played catch the last five days in a row – and we went into Cleveland to see a baseball game, and we went to that commencement party held by the school, and we –"

Alright, I get it, Connor interrupted. Maybe Geoff and Marcus are interested, referring to his other two roommates in a separate bedroom. Geoff, the tall, husky Kentuckian with glasses and a high-pitched voice, was technically Connor’s first ever roommate at Garfield State as they spent a few nights together at freshman orientation. Marcus was Geoff’s freshman roommate; Connor and Mike met him a few months into their freshman year, and all four of them became close friends. The quartet lived together their sophomore, junior, and senior years, but this was their last day together as roommates. Adulthood seemed extremely distant, and yet, it was just hours away.

It’s seven in the morning and we’re lining up in like an hour or so. Seriously, just calm down, dude, Mike tried to reassure his roommate of four years before returning to the bathroom to finish brushing his teeth. Connor would hear none of it, since he was nervous and uncertain. The future, which was to say his real adult life, was literally right around the corner. He had no idea what the future held, but knew that his friends would be there with him as always. Still, the whole having to get a job thing really put him through a meatgrinder. The last time he remembered being that nervous in anticipation was September 5, 2009, the day he arrived at college, but October 5, 2009, the day of his first and only disciplinary hearing at school, was a close second.

At about five minutes to eight, Connor’s three roommates emerged from their preparation to join him in the living room of their suite. Sunlight from the east now poured in through the open curtains, making the white room with light gray carpets seem even brighter than it already was. All four men were in their caps and gowns, but while Connor, Marcus, and Geoff wore button-down shirts, ties, and nice slacks beneath theirs, Mike had the nice shirt but was also wearing shorts and flip-flops. It did not bother him one bit. Surely his parents would be annoyed, but it was not of particular concern to him.

The roommates all left their room together as they headed to Jackson Hall, outside of which the graduates would line up. It took about five minutes to get there from their convenient location at Goldman Hall, which was amongst the most coveted student housing locations on campus. The four walked and talked as they went, but Connor had a hand on his phone in case Anderson Research returned his call. He had been waiting for five days for a response, and all of his post-collegiate plans depended upon their saying ‘yes.’

I’m going to miss this place, Mike said to the three others. I’m gonna miss this kid, too, he said as he grabbed Connor in a bear hug from behind, then took off his cap and messed up his hair. Connor punched him in the shoulder with his free hand and laughed, then fixed his cap. From the beginning, Mike wanted to forge a close friendship with Connor, and though it took him a while, it finally happened.

We’ve made a lot of memories here, said Marcus, a tall Vermonter with moderately-long blonde hair and a few days worth of stubble on his face.

You remember that time back in freshman year when ya’ll got in trouble? Geoff mentioned.

How could I forget, Connor said with a half-smile, half-smirk on his face.

If it wasn’t for that, none of this would have happened, Marcus said.

Very true, dude, added Mike.

Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like if the stuff with Warren never happened. You know, if we didn’t get set up, Connor interjected. I’d be a really different person.

We’d all be different people, kid, Geoff said.

You would have just been that kid that scared the shit out of me when you walked in the room at orientation, Connor said to Geoff. Being in that dark room with a silhouette approaching, it reminded me kind of when I was – well, you know.

Yeah, we know, Mike said, realizing that five years later, Connor’s experiences in high school were still scarring to him. He and Connor had been through a lot since then; both of them grew as people, but Mike literally grew an extra inch to 5-foot-11 as well. His brown-reddish hair was as short as ever and he still looked like he only shaved once every three weeks. Nevertheless, the time was coming for them to part ways – for now, anyway.

At the end of the day, it worked out pretty well, Marcus stated.

Besides, I’m not even sure Warren can have children now, Mike said, referring to the moment when his older sister injured their former residential assistant after the unpleasantness he and Connor experienced as freshmen.

Your sister is pretty good with that knee to the jewels, said Connor without a smile.

Yeah, well, she got a lot of practice on me, unfortunately, added Mike.

The four finally reached the mass of twenty-somethings in black robes outside of the school’s main administrative building. By then, the sun was a little higher in the sky and a light breeze swept through the region. Of course, the campus roadway on which they lined up was heavily treed, so not much of that sunlight cracked through. Connor, Mike, Geoff, and Marcus milled around and saw friends of theirs; they would shake hands, hug, take pictures with one another and instantly post them online, so on and so forth. When Connor arrived at school in 2009, he was socially awkward and avoided people. In 2013, he had scores of friends who were seeking him out on commencement morning. Some told him they’d miss him, others told him to keep in touch, and even more said they should still hang out whenever they’re local to one another. Connor knew it would be difficult to keep in touch with all of the people he liked from school, but he would do his damndest to accommodate as many people as he could.

Before his year of hell began in late 2008, as a high school senior, Connor was a very popular guy. Following that most unfortunate incident at one of his friends’ parties and the domino effect of shit raining down on him, he became reclusive and eventually lost most of his friends, including his hot girlfriend, Helene. It was not until late in 2009 that Mike showed him how to open up again, and by the end of freshman year, he had a solid group of friends. For a while before that, Connor looked forward to this day and did not expect to have any friends at school at all. In 2013, his situation could not be more different.

While snaking his way through the assemblage of people, Connor ran into a cute young girl named Candace. The two laid eyes on each other and both smiled awkwardly. It was a warmish morning, but a cool, slightly cold breeze blew through as they made eye contact. After a moment, they approached one another, and as they were about to hug, they pulled back, reconsidered, and then eventually laughed and hugged.

Uh, hey, Connor said as the tension crystallized like molten iron rapidly cooling to room temperature.

H-hey, Connor, Candace replied. They were both thinking about that night but neither of them wanted to say it – in fact, every time they had seen each other since 2010, their one and only time doing the nasty was the only thing about which they could think. Such was the breadth of the moment’s awkwardness.

Congratulations, Candace, Connor said. Mike watched the exchange from behind with relative disgust.

Thanks, you too. What do you have lined up? Candace was referring to what Connor would do for employment following the big day.

I’m waiting for a call back from a couple different places around here. Hoping to find out soon where I’ll be ending up.

That sounds great, Candace said with a smile on her face. I’m going on to nursing school.

Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about that. Good luck to you.

Same to you, Connor. Keep in touch?

Of course, Connor said as the two said goodbye to one another. Mike, who was still disturbed, went up to his roommate.

"How can you even face her, dude?" Mike asked him. His relationship with Candace came to an abrupt end after Connor came to an abrupt end himself – if you know what I mean. On that night he lost his virginity, all it took was about twenty seconds of fornication and half an hour of subsequent apologizing.

"Oh, and just how long did you last your first time?" Connor asked Mike.

About a minute; what of it?

Well, you’re not going to win any Ironman awards for that.

This isn’t about me.

Well, don’t lecture me about orgasmic stamina.

Mine was longer than twenty seconds, at least Mike scoffed.

It was probably more like twenty-three.

Splitting hairs, man, Mike said. At least that’s not a problem for me anymore.

Yeah, because you haven’t gotten a date since last year.

"Nuh uh. Still more recent than your last."

"Oh, well aren’t you special," Connor said while flaring his nostrils. Connor spent the last two and a half years regretting that he told Mike about The Great Premature Ending of 2010™.

The two then caught up with Geoff and Marcus again. They knew that the dean would get on the megaphone and call for the students to line up at any moment, so they wanted to be ready. Sure enough, the Dean of Student Affairs, Jane Williams, went up to the top step of the Jackson Hall entryway with her audio device and called out to the crowd assembled. They formed two lines, and with about two-thousand undergrads and another thousand grad students, they both extended backwards a long, long way.

The four amigos stayed together in line, and after a few minutes, the procession to the site of the commencement exercises began. Connor felt a strange sensation come over him, much like the only time he got Candace’s bra off: this is really happening, he thought. They would end up maneuvering their way through the central part of the Garfield State University campus and landing in Eagle Stadium, the thirty-thousand seat football arena.

It took about half an hour for the entire graduating class to file into the stadium; after it was finally done, the president of the university, J. William Higganbotham, addressed the crowd and lumbered into a coma-inducing lecture about how great his term has been for Garfield State. After that, more dry speeches and the conferring of honorary degrees took place. Connor sat nervously, Mike played video games on his cell phone, Geoff took pictures, and Marcus texted his also-graduating girlfriend at her college in New Hampshire in between short catnaps. Throughout the ceremony, Connor kept asking Mike what if they don’t call?

It would take Connor another two hours before he got his diploma, being near the end of the alphabet and with a massive class. The graduate students peeled away to their own ceremony, but the undergrads all stuck together. It was a long, boring wait, but when Connor’s name was called, he could faintly hear the cheers of his family in the distance, as well of those of his roommates and other friends. His very expensive piece of paper contained text completely written in Latin except for his full name, Connor David Reynolds.

Finally, after he and his class tossed their caps into the air, Connor parted from his friends and sought out his family. Attending the ceremony were his father Pete, his mother Amanda, his older brother Dave, and his maternal grandfather Bob.

We’re proud of you, Connor, his older but fit-for-his-middle-age father said.

Way to go, champ, added Connor’s lively grandfather, who had recently taken ill but maintained good spirits.

Congratulations, sweetie, his short, brunette mother said as she gave him a hug and kiss.

Awesome, his husky, much taller older brother said.

Thanks everyone, Connor replied. I’m glad you could all be here.

When I was a young boy, Bob said, very few people went to college. Connor had heard this story several times before.

Yes, Grandpa, I know.

It was right around the time of the war, you see, and –

And all able-bodied men were fighting Hitler; yes, of course, Connor interrupted.

Don’t forget Hirohito! Why, that bastard, his diminutive, bespectacled grandfather said while shaking his cane; Connor desperately hoped his friends weren’t watching his white-haired octogenarian ancestor embarrassing him. Bob was too young to fight in the war, but he often spoke of it as if he had. At his age, he could no longer recall if he had or had not.

Where to now? Pete asked.

We have to go back to my room, Connor said. Time to load up the car I guess. It was with a heavy heart that he said this because he knew he wanted to stay. Connor walked back to his room by himself, since he couldn’t find his friends again, while his family drove across campus with his elderly grandfather. All Connor could think about was how he couldn’t wait for this day when he first arrived in 2009, but the opposite was true that day. It amazed him how much Garfield State University now meant to him. He grew as a person and reclaimed his life here, and nothing would ever come close to replicating the good times he had at college.

When he showed up at school, he was depressed, paranoid, and living in fear as his past haunted him every day; now, he was confident, friendly, and free of dark thoughts. School initially represented everything he hated about what he used to be, and it got him in serious trouble, but he moved past his difficulties. Connor thought that college would ruin his life, but it saved it instead. He owed a lot to Garfield State, and to Mike, and leaving for good would create a void. What kept Connor together was the potential that he and his friends might stay close and room together again someday.

As a matter of fact, that was the plan with Mike. At least, it was going to be. Connor was a candidate for several different jobs in Cleveland, but only one was still a possibility: the one from which he still awaited a phone call. Either way, he and Mike intended to stay roommates, and in the event Connor got his job in Cleveland, they would set out to find a place there. In anticipation of a hiring, they checked out two apartment buildings and found a storage unit for their college belongings; after going home and engaging in other plans, they would hopefully return soon to close out on a lease and move in shortly thereafter. For himself, Mike would soon begin a job search in Cleveland so both young men could support themselves independently.

Finally, after almost ten minutes of walking in his gown, Connor made it back to Goldman 205 for the last time. All three of his roommates were in there with their families, doing the same thing he was about to do: clear out his crap and go home. He had met Mike’s parents before, but this was the first (and only, he suspected) time he’d ever see Marcus’s family. As for Geoff’s, they would meet again in the near future.

While Connor, Dave, and Pete loaded up the last of his boxes and bins, Mike made his way over.

Alright, dude. I think it’s time for me to go. Connor’s facial expression was a little sour, but he knew the time had come as well. He reached over to Mike and gave him a hearty hug, betraying the fact that he had a tear in his eye.

Thank you for four incredible years, Mike.

They didn’t start out incredible, but they sure finished that way.

I can’t believe I was ready to move out after our first two days of living together.

You were a different person then, Connor. You changed for the better.

Thanks for showing me how to live life again after everything that happened when I was 18.

Don’t mention it, Connor. I was happy to do it.

And thanks for –

Dude, Mike interrupted, you’re going to see me again in, like, a week; relax.

Yeah, that’s true.

And we’re coming back to Cleveland soon to room together.

I hope so.

"I know so."

But will it be the same? I hope it will.

"Again, I know so. Just because we’re not at college anymore doesn’t mean anything, man, Mike responded. The fun starts again in June, because I’ll be rooming again with my best bud." At that point, Geoff and Marcus joined in on the huddle and all parties had a group hug – and took a few last pictures to post online.

Shortly thereafter, it was the moment that Connor least wanted: time to go home. He was officially an alumnus of Garfield State University and there was nothing more for him to do but leave.

See ya later, buddies, Geoff said to Connor and Mike as he shook their hands. We all still on for next week?

Definitely, Connor responded.

Cool. I’ll send you the directions, hopefully tomorrow.

Awesome, Mike said as he stood behind Connor. It’s gonna be great.

Thank your mom for letting us all go, Connor added.

Ain’t a problem, Geoff replied.

Thank your mom for me, too, Marcus said. She’s got to put up with me for an extra week.

I put up with you for four years, Geoff said. Mama can take a week.

Shortly thereafter, Connor said goodbye to Geoff and Marcus, saying see you this weekend as they both walked out the door together. He and Mike turned to each other, then looked around in their empty room. Their parents had already retreated to their cars, leaving Connor and Mike to enjoy their precious few remaining seconds of college. Connor walked up to the door of Goldman 205 and held it open so that Mike could walk out first. As Connor was about to shut it, he looked in the room one more time, sighed, and then walked away as the door closed.

It was not yet goodbye for him and Mike, however: they were about to hustle their belongings to the storage unit, about ten minutes away from Garfield State’s campus. With the help of all the able-bodied men and family members, it might only take the two of them about 15-20 minutes to secure all of their things in the large, walk-in locker. From there, the two best buds would go separate ways, with Connor returning home to Michigan and Mike to New York. They would see each other again soon, but neither could escape the sense that one chapter of their friendship had ended, though a new one was about to begin shortly. Connor and Mike shared a hearty man hug in the school parking lot, after which Mike hopped into his car.

Before his father started the car, Connor wanted to check the kitchen one more time because he thought he might have left a cup in the dishwasher. As he walked into his room, his phone rang.

Hello?

Hi, is this Connor? said the female voice.

Why yes.

Yes, this is Tammy from Human Resources at Anderson Research.

Chapter 2

Leaving the parking lot of the storage facility, Mike’s car got smaller in the distance, and so too did Cleveland. As his father drove away, Connor lived in adulthood for the first time. In reality, Connor’s real life began the moment he walked across the stage, but he took comfort in the fact that he had a plan for the future. That’s more than even Dave could have said when he graduated, and he landed on his feet. Connor planned on doing the same. Only he knew what Tammy said to him on the phone a few minutes earlier, and he planned to keep it that way for a little while. He hadn’t even mentioned it to Mike when they were packing their stuff into the storage unit, since a good opportunity never presented itself. In fact, Connor had no idea how to tell anyone.

He had become acquainted with the long car ride home over the course of his four years at school: leave Garfield State’s town, hop onto the Ohio Turnpike going west, cross briefly into Indiana, hop onto Interstate 69, and ride it up into Michigan. Once his father got off at Exit 42, he knew he was in the home stretch, literally. After about four hours in the car, Connor finally returned to South Heathrow, Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a history minor. All that was left to do was attend his own celebratory graduation dinner that night.

He felt warmth in coming home to Michigan, even though he did not plan to stay for long. Connor’s father pestered him for years about finding a good job, but neither he nor his mother were aware of his job situation, which took a turn just hours before while