Kevin Remembered
It was a brilliant Saturday afternoon in late spring. Kevin and a group of friends had just graduated from IU. Kevin received his MBA. He and his friends stood around talking and congratulating each other. Kev, let's go knock back a few and celebrate," they said.
"You know I don't drink."
"We know that but just this one time."
"I'm sorry fellows but not today. I want to celebrate with Grampa and Gramma Story. Without them I would not be here today."
"Oh, come on Kev, they won't mind. I'm sure they will understand how young people like to celebrate. They were young once."
"Sorry fellows. My parents disappeared on a trip to Africa and Grampa and Gramma raised me."
They shook hands all around, Kevin bade them a fond farewell and walked through the shady campus to the parking area. In the stone parking lot sat a beater of an old car with more miles on it than a hot dog rolling on the warmer at a truck stop. It didn't look like it would make it around the block much less home. Two people were standing in the shade beside it. Waiting. They saw Kevin and smiled so widely they could have eaten a banana sideways.
They were wearing gently used clothing. Not only was it not in style, it didn't fit very well. It was obvious that they had used their discretionary money for things other than the latest clothing styles. Their shoes were polished but well worn down in the heels. Grandpa's old suit was a bit tight in some places and sagged in others. His tie was not in the same county with style. Gramma's dress was clean but faded and her hair was not coifed in the latest style. Her shoes and purse did not match. They live in a very modest old house that had not been maintained very well over the past several years. The weight of many years pushed down upon it causing it to sag. There just didn't seem to be enough money to go around and when push came to shove the house had to wait.
Kevin hugged them both.
"Kevin, now if you want to go and be with your friends we understand and we'll just go on home," Gramma offered.
"I would rather be with you two more than anyone else in this world. Where would I be without you? I have just enough money left for dinner at Stewarts."
"We are honored, Kevin, would you like to drive old Blue?"
The old beater Blue belched out a cloud of smoke and they slowly moved down the shady street to the sunlit future.
Fast forward five years. Kevin was working in an investment firm; a wunderkind who took to the investment world like a teenager to pizza. His knowledge and ability was far superior to those his age and most investors much older than he. He was making a huge, honest income, the envy of all.
Grampa and Gramma now live in a new condo and drive a new car. They winter in Florida.
Kevin remembered.
Larry Vandeventer. Go to my website -- Larryvandeventer.com -- and purchase my books. I grew up North of Calvertville and Graduated from Worthington High School and Indiana State 4 Times. Contact me at Goosecrick@aol.com or 317-839-7656.
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