Free Spanish Bay by Hans M Hirschi Page B

Kugelberg-Welander four years earlier, there were moments when she’d despaired and almost given up on life. Neil kept her going, always Neil. Fighting and struggling, with a life force unlike anything she’d seen before. Neil was the one who made sure the family survived the ordeal. And now, her baby was all grown up and ready to graduate, change the tassel and toss the hat. Fond memories of her own graduation mingled with the plans for the day.
    At ten a.m., the official ceremony at the school would begin. The students would be called up by the principal, one by one, to receive their diplomas. There would be speeches and song, followed by tears of joy at family reunions. They had planned to take Neil and Phil to lunch before Neil would undoubtedly be off to celebrate his graduation with friends and classmates.
    ***
    “I’m coming, Mom…” Neil felt the stress of the day weighing heavily on him. He knew his parents had been looking forward to this day with mixed emotions. Already legally an adult, it was the fact that he was still in high school that gave them some sort of hold over him. But after today, he’d be free—free to live his life as he saw fit. Then again, with parents like Joe and Sarah, he already lived that life pretty much. The difference wasn’t going to be tangible, but it was important to him just the same.
    Donning his high school graduation gown, the silly hat and the tassel in the gray and red colors of his high school, he noticed Chris, sitting on the edge of the bed and admiring him.
    “Man, I can’t wait for this day to be over. Is Natalie covering for you at the café this morning?”
    Chris nodded. “Yeah. With graduation, it’s going to be a slow day, so I’m sure she’ll be fine. I’m more worried about my meeting with Sally later.”
    “What do you think she wants?”
    “I have no clue. But now that she’s awake again, I presume she’s told Samantha what she wants to do with the café. From what I hear, she can’t walk and is half-paralyzed. She won’t return to work, not in the near future.”
    “So sad. What do you think she’s going to do?”
    “Samantha mentioned selling it, but I’m not sure it’s what Sally wants to do. She’s a successful businesswoman, much more savvy than I am. I don’t know, but we’ll find out today, won’t we?”
    “Do you want me to go with you to the meeting?”
    Chris shook his head. “No. I don’t think that would be a good idea. I doubt Sally will screw me over. And even if she does, I’ll be fine. Somehow…”
    Neil wheeled over to Chris and put both his hands on Chris’s knees. “Hey, just remember that I’m here for you, okay? Whatever, whenever. This may not be the right time, but I learned a long time ago, when I was in the hospital with my legs, that it is more important to be honest, so here is me, being honest…” Neil took a deep breath. “I’m falling in love with you, Chris. My heart beats faster when I see you, my stomach is all butterflies when you touch me, not to mention what you do to my nether regions…”
    He laughed, then paused to consider the next words.
    “I am a better person because of you. You make me want to be the best man I can be. So whatever the future has in store for us—my college education, you and the café—I would like nothing more than for us to tackle it together. I want to be at your side from now on and as long as you’ll have me. If you’ll have me that is…”
    There was a slight trepidation in his voice as he said those final words, a tinge of doubt about whether Chris really felt the same way.
    A small tear appeared in the corner of Chris’s left eye. He put his hands on Neil’s and looked him straight in the eyes. “You know, when I first saw you, lying there, on the street, after those bullies had attacked you, I knew you were something extraordinary. I fell for you that very second I picked you up and sat you back in your chair. I’m so happy we’ve found each