Escaping the Pain - 22. Epilogue

"I can't believe it's finally here!" Dane said excitedly.

"Me either," Tap laughed, reaching for Dane with both hands.

Dane slapped at them, "Stop trying to grab me! I can't tie your tie if you keep moving."

"I'm just so excited. Graduation, moving into your apartment next week and then college in the fall. I'm glad we got accommodated in the dorms," Tap said with a huge smile.

"I told you we could have gotten an apartment, I can afford it," Dane pointed out.

"But we don't need it. Besides, it might be fun. It’s all part of 'college', you know?" Tap said, finally managing to stand still long enough for Dane to finish making a neat knot around his neck with his powder blue tie.

"I guess," he said slowly as he tied his own red tie. “But don’t whine when the mini fridge won’t hold all your food!” Tap laughed as they grabbed their robes and caps and clattered down the stairs to the living room.

"Ready?" Patrick asked them.

"No!" Keri said, tissue already in her hand, "But you boys look handsome. I'm going to be the luckiest mom in the gym tonight."

She cried all through the ceremony, holding Ricky, Tammy's baby, and trying to remember where all the years had gone. Patrick clapped loudly and Brett whistled when first Dane and then Patrick were called up on stage to accept their diplomas.

After the group threw their caps and then filed out of the gym they congregated in the courtyard. Dave walked over to Dane and Tap where they stood holding hands, "So you guys coming to my party later? My folks are totally going to stay out of the basement so we can have a good time as long as everyone promises not to drive."

"Sure are," Dane said, "we wouldn't miss it."

"We might be a little late," Tap said, "I've a little celebrating planned for just the two of us." He grinned down at Dane who blushed furiously.

Dave laughed, "Okay dude, TMI." He shook his head when Tap snickered, "Alright, I'll see you later. My parents are waving me over and I see a camera in my mom’s hand. Jeez, thank goodness we don’t have to do this again for a few years,” he said with a grimace.

Soon Dane and Tap were surrounded by their family, hugs and congratulations flowing all around. Neri walked up with her camera in her hand, her parents and sisters with her.

"Hey Neri!" Tap picked her up and swung her in a circle as he hugged her.

"Oof, put me down you big lug!" she said. She held on for a minute to get her balance when he put her down before giving her another hug, leaving her feet on the floor this time

"I think I’m going to miss this place but I can't wait to get out of this town and start college in the fall though I'm so glad we all got into the same school."

"Yeah, we can't break up the trio," Dane said, "besides, who else could help me keep the big lummox in his place?"

"No one but me of course!" Neri said smartly, "Okay, pictures!" She handed her camera off to her mom and posed with the boys. Then she took pictures of them and their family. "Okay, just the two of you."

Dane and Tap snuggled close together, smiling for the camera. They had found love in one another and it had been tested and held true. No matter what came in the future they would meet it together.