Published: 16 Jul 2026

Chapter 38 – Graduation and a Parting Gift for Louella

When the alarm went off in the morning, we got up and jumped in the shower first. After we’d dried off, we brushed our teeth, fixed our hair, and then got dressed for the last ceremony of graduation weekend. After we all got in the appropriate SUV, Pa took us to a different restaurant to have breakfast.

Although this upcoming ceremony was a bit anti-climactic, since we’d both graduated in a previous ceremony, there was still an air of excitement as we ate. It was obvious that everyone was eager to see us receive even more recognition for our academic accomplishments

Once we finished eating, Gramps asked the server for the check, and was surprised by her reply. “Sir, the check has already been taken care of.”

“By whom?” Gramps demanded.

“By that gentleman right there,” the server responded while pointing at my dad.

Dad just smiled at Gramps and shrugged his shoulders. “None of you were letting me pay for any of the meals, so I arranged to take care of the bill when I went to use the restroom.”

Seeing Dad had beaten the other men at their own game and already paid the bill, we all headed over to Canvas Stadium for the campus-wide graduation ceremony. As soon as we arrived there, we got out of the SUV, but the others had to wait for Devin and me to put on our caps and gowns, along with the other regalia, and then we all walked to one of the main gates.

As soon as we entered the stadium, Devin and I had to leave our families and join the other graduating students and sit in a special section near the dais. The rest of them set off to look for the best seats to view the ceremony that were still unoccupied. As Devin and I were moving toward the section for graduating students, we saw a figure walking in our direction. We thought he would merely pass by and didn’t pay much attention to him, so we were surprised he walked directly up to us. That’s when we finally recognized him and were surprised to see Preston.

“We didn’t expect to see you here,” I said as I offered him my hand.

“I know, but since I hadn’t seen you in a while, I decided to take the chance that you might be here, seeing not all the graduates choose to come to this ceremony.”

“Our parents, and a few other relatives are here with us, were eager to come to this graduation ceremony. If you’re willing to look for us after the ceremony ends, we’d love to introduce you to them. It’s up to you, though, since you’d meet them at the wedding.”

“I’d rather meet them today, if they’re not in a hurry to head home.”

“No, weren’t not in a big hurry, so we’ll look for you when this is over, and you can also look for us too, because there will be a lot of people moving about.”

“Ok, then I’ll meet up with you again when this concludes.”

After approximately a fifteen-minute delay, the processional entered the stadium with all of the dignitaries that would be sitting on the dais. Once they had taken their seats, and the murmuring in the stands had died down, one of the women on the dais walked up to the podium and spoke.

“I’d like to welcome you to Colorado State University’s campus-wide graduation ceremony. It’s my honor, and privilege, to introduce you to the person who’ll be conducting today’s ceremony, so will you please join me in welcoming a proud Ram and former undergraduate student at CSU, President Amy Parsons.”

Following a nice round of applause, President Parsons stepped up to the podium and spoke. “Thank you and I’d like to welcome each of the parents, grandparents, other relatives, and friends of the Class of 2025.”

There was another round of clapping and then President Parsons began speaking again. “Before I begin my remarks, I would like to thank the person who just introduced me. Some of you may have recognized her or thought she looked familiar, but in case you can’t quite place where you’ve seen her before, allow me to clear that up for you. She is a current member of Colorado State University’s Board of Governors and former United States Congresswoman Betsy Markey.”

There was another nice round of applause, and then President Parson introduced the remaining people who were sitting on the dais. This included the Deans of the various colleges, other members of the Board of Governors, and two others who’d recently received honorary degrees from the University. Finally, she came to the last person sitting on the dais.

“I would now like to introduce to you today’s guest speaker, Eugene Daniels. He’s MSNBC’s Senior Washington correspondent, host of ”The Weekend”, and a 2012 Colorado State University alumnus.”

He then received a nice round of applause as he made his way to the podium, and after the applause died down, he began his speech. During his address, he covered multiple topics, starting with urging the Class of 2025 to recognize their personal worth and to believe that they “belong in every room”, not just a few. He also told them to be authentic and “embrace their sharp edges” while they navigated many professional challenges. He emphasized that they had to be strong and accept the fact that they are the future leaders who will guide the country, and the world, forward. He also told them to be firm in maintaining their values, to always do what is right, and never shy away from talking about the things that others are scared to say.

When he concluded his remarks, he received a raucous round of applause and a few cheers from the graduates, and then President Parsons returned to the podium.

“This is now the point in the ceremony that I get to carry out my most important duty. If the members of the CSU Class of 2025 will please rise,” and then she waited for us to stand before she continued. “By the authority vested in me by Colorado State University, I confer upon you the degrees for which you have been recommended.”

When she finished speaking, all of the members of the Class of 2025 took off their caps and tossed them into the air, followed by a loud cheer, thus ending the campus-wide ceremony. While those in the stands were making their way to the assorted locations they’d agreed to meet up with the graduating member of their family, many of us wearing the gowns had one more duty to perform. Those who had merely rented their cap and gown, along with those of us who wanted to keep their cap and gown as a memento of our big day, were busy trying to retrieve our cap. We were busy searching through the sea of caps for one that was the same color as the one that we’d tossed into the air.

As soon as Devin and I had located a gold cap to go with our gown, even if it wasn’t the same one that we’d tossed into the air, we began looking for Preston. We had an easier time spotting him, because he was one of the few people that wasn’t wearing a gown and was also walking in our direction. As soon as we met up, he congratulated us and we led him to where we were supposed to meet the others.

“Everyone, this is our friend and anthropology professor, Preston Armstrong. He will also be at our wedding in June, but we wanted him to meet all of you now.”

We then introduced him individually to everyone, beginning with our parents. When we finished introducing him to everyone else, he looked at Devin and me and made a comment. “I hope you realize that you’ll probably have to do this again at your wedding, because I doubt I’ll be able to remember all their names.”

“We’ll all wear nametags, if that will help,” Dad joked. “But either way we look forward to seeing you at our son’s wedding.”

“Thank you, and nametags might help,” Preston teased.

“Ignore my dad,” I said with a grin, “because I’m sure everyone else understands how overwhelmed you must be at this point, meeting so many of them at once.”

“I like your dad’s sense of humor, though,” Preston replied. “Are you leaving Fort Collins today or tomorrow?”

“Today, but we’ve got a lunch reservation first, and then we’ll load up our things and head out of Dodge.”

“Ok, pardner,” Preston replied after picking up on my Old West saying. “I’m looking forward to being at your wedding, and by the way, that sociology professor I told you about earlier has accepted my invitation to go with me as my date.”

“That’s fantastic, and Devin and I look forward to seeing you there. We’ll try to keep in touch both before and after the wedding, although it may not be on a regular basis.”

“That’s fine, because I’m sure you both have a lot to do. But take care and I hope things work out for both of you on both your wedding and job search.”

“Thanks, and we’ll see you at the wedding.”

After Preston left, the rest of us walked out to the SUVs and headed over to Dominick’s for lunch. When we arrived there, Pa approached the maître d’ and made a comment. “I hope were not too late for our reservation.”

“No, you’re fine and your table is waiting for you. Please follow me and I’ll lead you there.” When we reached the table, the maître d’ made one more comment. “Jonathan will be your server today.”

After we sat down and were looking at the menus, Jonathan filled our water classes and then asked if we’d like a cocktail before we ate. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea,” Pops replied, and then we all gave him our drink order.

After he left, Pops spoke to Pa. “Aaron, would you be able to take Faith and Hope back with you, because we want Devin and Mac to stay and help us complete some yardwork. We need their muscles to help us finish up.”

“Yes, and as long as they’ll be riding with you, then Faith and Hope can take their places on the way back, that’s if they, Mike, and Cindy don’t mind.”

Each of them assured Pa that they didn’t have a problem with this change, which relieved Devin and me. We had a good idea what Gramps and Pops had planned.

During lunch, we all talked about the graduation ceremony and then Faith asked a question. “How did you find your caps after you threw them into the air?”

“I’m not sure I found the same one, but it was the same color and in good condition, so I took it.”

“Yeah, it was basically the same for me,” Devin concurred. “I wasn’t about to spend a lot of time walking around looking for the one I wore all weekend.”

As we ate, the owner stopped by our table to speak with us. “Isaac and Jacob, it’s so nice to see you here with your family. I know we’re going to miss these two young men, now that they’ve graduated.”

“And we’re going to miss the excellent food that you serve here,” I replied.

“I hope you’ll visit the area from time to time and stop in to see us whenever you’re in the area. You’ll always get special treatment here, since your family has been among our most valued customers for many years.”

“Yes, we’ll visit when we can, and of course there’s no way that we’d come to Fort Collins and not stop here to eat.”

When we finished our entrees, Jonathan came to the table carrying a tray, and the owner returned with him carrying a portable tray stand. As our server was setting the tray on the stand, the owner addressed us.

“As a token of our gratitude and to wish Devin and Michael the best on their future endeavors, we’re giving each of you a serving of Torta Caprese, which is a flourless chocolate and almond cake.”

“But we were already given a graduation cake on Thursday,” Devin pointed out.

“Yes, but you and your family have been frequent customers here, and you’ve always been very good to the employees, so we’d like to show you our appreciation and wish you all the best in the future.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you,” I replied.

Needless to say, the dessert was delicious and we were all quite full when we finished it, so after the bill had been taken care of and a generous tip left behind, we headed out to our vehicles. When we got there, Devin and I said goodbye to our parents, and Gramps and Pops said goodbye to their wives, and then we switched so we could say goodbye to the other pair, before we all said goodbye to Ma and Pa.

Pa drove away first, and the four of us waved at them as they pulled out of the lot, and then we got in Gramps SUV and headed back to the house. On the way there, Pops filled us in about what he had planned. “I sent away to Australia for a few special items so we could leave Louella with a memorable farewell performance, without her knowing it was from us. I’ll explain it in more detail when we get back to the house, seeing we’re almost there.”

When Gramps pulled in the driveway and parked, and we’d all gone inside, Pops explained what he had planned. “I want you to take off your suits and then put on something that you’ll be comfortable in on the ride home. After that, round up everything that you’re taking back with you and load them into Devin’s SUV, and once you’ve finished doing that, I’ll fill you in on what will happen next.

As soon as everything had been loaded into Devin’s SUV, Pops advised us about what else he had planned. “We’re going to turn off all the lights in the house, except for the nite lights in the kitchen, and then I want Devin and Jacob to drive the SUVs to the campus and park them there. This is to make Louella think that we’ve already left, and while they’re doing that, Mac will help me retrieve some things we’ll need from my bedroom. When Devin and Jacob return, we’ll all undress so we can prepare for the next phase of my plan.”

After Pops made sure all the lights in the house were turned off, except for the nite lights, Gramps and Devin left to move the SUVs. After they had gone, Pops retrieved an item from the counter and it turned. He explained that it was an infrared flashlight that we could use and wouldn’t alert Louella that we were still at the house, and then I followed him up to his bedroom.

Once we were there, he dug a couple of boxes out of his closet, and handed me the smaller one. He then picked up the other one, which was several times larger than the one he’d handed me. As soon as he was ready, I followed him back down to the kitchen

After Gramps and Devin returned, we all stripped out of our clothes, and then Pops told us about what we’d be doing next. “We’re all going to transition into Australian aborigines, and if you aren’t sure what they look like, Jacob and I will demonstrate a few examples for you.”

Gramps and Pops then transitioned into examples of an aborigine male, and then they altered their visage a couple more times to show us different aboriginal images. When they finished, Pops spoke.

“I previously ordered several items to help us with tonight’s activity, starting with authentic aboriginal headbands that are constructed out of plant fibers and human hair, and then coated with white-clay. I also selected some authentic aboriginal waist belts that also have a special piece to cover the pubic area, and finally I choose some white body paint that they use during their ceremonies.”

“Is that what they use to paint their faces white?” I asked. “I’ve seen photos of aborigines with white faces, but I always thought it looked like they’d just used ashes from their campfires.”

“I guess that’s possible, but we’re not going to get as extreme as that, because we don’t want to become too noticeable. We’ll merely paint lines over our cheeks and across our forehead, along with adding a few simple designs on our chests, and lines that will go up our arms and legs.”

“It sounds like this is going to take a long time before we get ready to do whatever you have planned,” Devin observed.

“It will take a while, but since I think it would be more effective to wait until it’s dark to do this, since the darkness will also help to mask our movements. I’ve purchased some aboriginal musical instruments as well, and they include two 1 meter long (3.28 feet or 39.37 inches) didgeridoos and two pairs of clap sticks. Jacob and I have been practicing with the didgeridoos at the shop nearly every day since they’d first arrived. We aren’t exactly what you’d call accomplished with them, but I believe we’re good enough to fool Louella. While we’re using those, I want you two to use the clap sticks to help us keep the beat. This should be very simple for you to do, since it will similar to striking two drumsticks together.”

“Ok, but if we’ll be using paint on our bodies,” Devin began, “and the house will be dark and lit only by the nite lights, how are we going to see so we can clean up before we leave.”

“I’ll be placing multiple washcloths by the kitchen sink and there will be enough light so you can wet them in the kitchen sink and wash the paint off your face, arms, and legs. You might also be able to wash the paint off your chest as well, but if not, you’ll be able to shower and wash it off at home.”

“But how am I going to explain about getting home so late? I’ve got to get packed and ready for the rafting trip tomorrow, and then we’ll be leaving for Glenwood Springs early the next morning.”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to pack, and you can just tell your parents that it took us longer to do the things at the house. You can explain that we were cutting down some dead trees and hauling the wood away. They won’t be able to check and see if that’s true, since they won’t be coming back here anytime soon, if at all.”

“Ok, and I hope this prank is worth all this trouble.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll both enjoy it, although Louella probably won’t.”

Gramps returned before we transitioned and began putting on the headbands and waist belts. After those things were in place, Gramps and Pops used the paint to decorate our bodies, and then Devin and I had to do the same for them. When we finished, Pops brought out some jet-black cloaks for us to wear.

“These are only to hide our movements as we make our way to Louella’s property. Once we leave out the back door, we’ll turn to the right and follow the property line to the back of the lot, and then we’ll go across that area and along the other property line in the opposite direction. We’ll stop when we reach the point where we’ve stacked a few items to help us climb over the fence so we can get to the area behind her garage. From there, we’ll move around to the front of the garage and Jacob and I will start playing the didgeridoos and you boys will use the clap sticks.”

“I can’t wait to see the expression on Louella’s face when she sees us,” Devin stated.

“Just keep a serious expression of your face,” Gramps warned, “and don’t smile or laugh. We don’t want her to know this is a joke and we’re the one who set it up. We can all laugh about it later, after we leave here.”

“Ok, I’ll try my best,” Devin agreed.

When we were ready to go outside, Pops gave us one final warning. “Use your arms to hold the front of the cloak together, so the body paint isn’t visible. And look down at the ground while you’re walking, so Louella won’t be able to see the paint on your face until we’re in place and ready to begin.”

Once we were all set, we made our way around the outer boundary of the property until we reached the area where Gramps and Pops had stacked items for us to use to get to Louella’s property. Then, we took off the cloaks and Pops gave us one final instruction.

“Be ready to leave quickly if it looks like she might be using her phone to call for help.”

Devin and I nodded in confirmation, and then we followed Gramps and Pops around the side of the garage until we were standing in front of it, and that’s when we began playing the different instruments. The first notes that came out of the didgeridoos were a low droning sounds in the baritone range, not the deep bass notes that were made by a ten foot long (3 m) didgeridoo. We were also feel the pulsating vibrations the didgeridoos created as the sound bounced off our bodies, and it didn’t take long before Louella’s back light came on. Shortly after that, we could see her peering out the door to discover the source of the disturbance.

When she saw us, her eye’s bulged out of their sockets, her mouth dropped open, and the color seemed to completely drain from her face. She then spun around and headed away from the door, and that’s when we heard Pops whisper, “Let’s get going.”

We made our way around to the back of the garage and Gramps helped Pops climb over the fence. And once he was on the other side, Pops stood on the items that he and Gramps had placed there earlier and helped to pull the rest of us up and over the fence, one at a time. As soon as we were back on our side of the fence, we put on the cloaks again, but this time we headed directly toward the back door, because we felt that if Louella was looking anywhere, it would be at the area around her garage to see where the men she’d seen earlier had gotten to.

Now that we were all inside the house, Pops gave us one final piece of advice. “Just store everything in the pantry as you take it off and we’ll take care of those things later, the next time Jacob and I return to the house. In the meantime, grab a washcloth, wet it, and start cleaning off some of the point on your bodies.”

“If you transition back to yourself first,” Gramps added, “I’ve learned that it will make it easier to wash the paint off your body and it won’t be as difficult to do.”

That was extremely interesting and helpful news, so we did as he suggested. Before we’d finished cleaning up and getting dressed again, we saw the flashing lights from two police cruisers pulling up next door. Louella had obviously called them to report trespassers on her property.

After we finished washing up and getting dressed, we stayed inside the house until after the police had completely searched Louella’s yard. During that time, we also suppressed a few chuckles from thinking about what was going on next door, since we didn’t want to make any noise. As soon as the officers finally got in their cars and drove away, we waited a while longer before we decided to leave.

Pops recommended that we do it two at a time and told Devin and I to go first. We walked down the street and turned the corner, just like we did when walking to the dining hall, and once we were on the street that intersected the one the house was on, we waited. After Gramps and Pops joined us a couple of minutes later, Gramps led us to where they’d parked the SUVs.

Before we got in the vehicles, Gramps made a comment. “Devin, you can follow me, but after we get to the point where you’d turn to take Mac home, I’ll let you take the lead. We’ll follow you there, because we don’t want you driving all the way to the cabin alone.”

After we loaded up, Gramps headed for the highway that would take us most of the way home, and Devin followed him. During the ride, we started joking around about our recent exploits.

“Can you imagine what those cops must have been thinking when they heard Louella describe what she’d seen?” I asked.

“I’m surprised they didn’t call for a padded vehicle so they could take her to the funny farm,” Devin teased.

“I wonder if the cops were able to keep a straight face when they heard her describe a group of aborigines playing didgeridoos and clapping sticks together.”

“They probably did like we did and waited until they were in their vehicles and driving away before they started laughing and joking around about it.”

We spent most of the ride home talking about the various things that happened, starting with the look on Louella’s face when she first saw us in her yard. After that, we imitated the conversations the cops must’ve had when they returned to the station and told the sergeant on duty about it.

“Do you guys really expect me to believe that she described seeing four aboriginal males in her yard and that two of them were playing didgeridoos and the other two beating sticks together?”

“Yes, Sergeant, that’s exactly what she told us.”

“Have any of you ever heard of anyone else ever claiming to see anything like that before?”

“Not even after the college hosted special international events on campus.”

“I doubt if the members of this police department have ever heard anything like that before, not back in the 1940s or 50s. That’s when I’ve been told that the anthropology department used to dress up and perform special simulations of obscure groups for their students.”

“And to think that she holds a fairly important position as City Clerk?”

“More like the City Cluck after tonight.”

“I don’t know what she was smoking, but I’d be willing to bet that there are a lot of college students that would like to get into her stash.”

We continued to joke around about this and laughed hysterically nearly all the way back.

Once we made the turn so we could head to Jamesville, Gramps pulled over and let Devin pass him, and then he followed us the rest of the way. The house was fairly dark when we pulled in the driveway, although there appeared to be a single lamp left on in the living room so I wouldn’t walk into a completely dark house. I also discovered that they’d left the front door unlocked.

Devin helped me take my things out of the SUV and carry them to the house, and then we merely set those items just inside the door and out of the way. After everything was inside, I gave Devin a hug and a very passionate kiss before he left, because he had to return to the cabin and get packed for the rafting trip.

Once they backed out of the driveway, Gramps followed Devin as they headed for the cabin, and after they’d driven away, I made my way up to my room as quietly as possible.

As I lay in bed, I continued chuckling to myself as I thought about the things we’d done tonight and had talked about on the way here, but eventually exhaustion overcame me and I fell asleep. My last lucid thought was that I had a lot to do tomorrow, in order to get ready for the trip to Glenwood Springs to go whitewater rafting.

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