Chapter 38: Tracy’s Graduation Party

Tracy was in the final weeks of her baccalaureate degree in computer science at OSU. We decided that we wanted to host a graduation party for her. She had many friends on campus from her various study groups and classes, and even a couple of old roommates.

We planned the event for the last Saturday right after final exams ended because some of the students would still be on campus and available to attend. Moreover, the weather would be right at the edge of summer, so probably pretty good.

Tracy came to me one day after we were well into the planning, including making up the list to invite – a cast of hundreds as it turned out, with most expected not to come since they would have gone home.

“Doug, I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I’m learning how to be wide open in this family. I need to tell you that there are a couple of guys that I’m inviting that I really like and that I’ve been flirting with. I’m not saying that anything will happen, but if things worked out, I’d kind of like to seduce one of them – maybe both.”

I laughed, “Tracy, that’s fine and good. I am not at all upset or concerned. You follow your bliss. You know any of us – me included – will support you in your trysts. If you need help or excuses or something, just let us know. Do tell us if something bigger is in play, too.”

“Oh, I will, and this is just some chemistry and lust playing out, if it even does. I won’t know whether the timing is right for anything until the actual event, what with so many people around.”

“You can always invite sleepovers – even with your male friends. The kids won’t be in residence. Helen has arranged an overnight sitter at her apartment, so they’re having an ice cream and pajama party there with special treats and such.”

“Thank you for understanding. I’ll let you know if I need help.” She looked relieved about the short discussion.

The graduation party was a blowout. There were about twenty people standing around in the driveway in front of the house. The house was full of people – probably a hundred more, mostly in the living room, dining area, and kitchen – all part of our open plan home. The patio had another hundred people standing around drinking, eating, and talking; and the pool had about r thirty people in it, splashing about and carousing.

Throughout the area, the speakers we’d set up blasted out all sorts of music genres, providing they were loud and had a beat. A few hearty souls on the patio were actually dancing. The din of laughter and conversation nearly drowned out the music. I didn’t see anybody smoking but I did get a whiff of some weed at one point.

A pretty brunette named Devon had latched onto me as her safety net in the sea of so many unfamiliar faces. Devon was also graduating in technology management, whatever than meant. She was cute – button nose, nice body, slim but for her boobs, and beautiful skin. There was a lot of it showing; she was in a luminescent light green bikini that didn’t leave too much else to the imagination. She had two tattoos that I could see: a heart on her left breast, and the word ‘Love’ just above her left bikini line.

She’d been in the pool, but the guys got too rough for her. She declared she was my new friend for the night – and maybe longer. Until that night I’d only know about Devon from Tracy. Devon had been her roommate in the dorms for two years, and over time I heard about how hard-working she was and what a good student.

Tracy waltzed by us, just as Devon introduced herself. She kissed me, said ‘Hi’ to Devon with a little hug and moved on.

I sized her up. “You seem a little older than Tracy or the others that are graduating?”

“Yeah, my parents were missionaries in central Africa when I was young. I got tuberculosis and it kind of ravaged my insides and me before it got treated correctly. I’m fine now, except I’m infertile. I’ll never be a mom, at least the normal way. Anyway, I missed a lot of schooling and was held back two years when we finally got back to the states. Otherwise, I’m healthy and normal.”

I thought that she sure looked healthy in that bikini.

Katie walked by and squeezed my arm in an obviously affectionate manner.

“Too bad,” I said to Devon; “your parents still do missionary work?”

“No. They’re religious as all fuck though. I lost the spirit completely when all that shit was going on. God doesn’t do that to good people, and if he does, he or she ain’t for me. I think most of it is mumbo-jumbo. Some of what they teach is good – golden rule and all, but too many of the parishioners that I see don’t practice it. They’re hypocritical – say one thing, and do another. Love thy neighbor, and then fuck them over because they’re the wrong race, believe something else, poor, or the wrong sex. Fuck them.”

“Oh, I thought you’d tell me what you really thought,” I jested. She laughed.

Devon said, “Sorry. I guess I can get as high on that horse as some religious zealot can. In any case, Tracy told me how she lives with you and I think that’s super-cool. Love IS the answer. She told me how she invited herself into the relationship and how you accepted her. I think she’s really special and I’m proud to have her as my best friend. I bet everyone here feels that way about her.”

Mel came by and listened briefly. She said, “Hi Devon. Please stay for the ‘after party’ if you want. It’s apt to get a little racy, but you’re welcome to be here with us.” Before there was a reply, a young man pulled the Pixie away. Her bikini had even less material than Devon’s.