graduationday

Graduation Day

While most people in the town of Easternville, New York already slept, Sherman Ross stood trembling in front of a lectern on the large stage of the old deserted high school auditorium that was scheduled to be torn down within hours. A tall dark phantom walked from the wings and took his place next to a table spread out with diplomas.

“I can't believe this is actually happening,” he thought, looking out.

A thick gray mist spread across the dingy auditorium, and when it cleared, the place looked as it did more than one hundred years ago. The glass globes of the chandeliers shone above, and the proscenium arch was adorned with thick gold curtains.

An audience of phantom figures wearing clothes from recent and past decades filled the seats. The sound of “Pomp and Circumstances” suddenly bellowed from the three rank pipe organ as the back doors opened and five generations of spirits who had sadly not lived to graduate came proudly marching onto the stage and formed three rows behind the terrified man.

“I can't believe this is actually happening,” Sherman said to himself. “I shouldn't have allowed myself to be a part of this. It's unnatural.” His memory flashed back to when it all started.

***

The sparkling new high school had been functioning for a year. It was located right next to the original building which was scheduled to be torn down at the beginning of the summer. A fully equipped athletic field was going to replace it.

Sherman, who had just finished his first term teaching English at Easternville High, sat at his desk. He was an alumnus of this school and was thrilled to be part of its present staff. The young teacher sat alone in his classroom since it was a clerical half day. Having completed his work early, he decided to go outside and take a look at the old Edwardian edifice. The town's people had once been very proud of this red brick structure with all of its fancy trimmings. Even now, the exterior's appearance still looked impressive.

As he walked outside, the June sun went behind the clouds and the air became chilly. Walking near the imposing front entrance, one of the large, double doors opened.

“Mr. Sherman, can you please come in here, for a moment,” a youthful voice said from inside.

“That's funny,” he thought, climbing up the stone steps. “I thought none of the kids were allowed inside there. I'd better see what's up.”

Walking into the vestibule, the only visible light came from the large windows. The place looked so forlorn and empty.

“No one's here. It must have been my imagination,” he said to himself. About to leave, someone lightly tapped him on his back. He turned, and was taken aback. A group of teenagers stood standing along the marble steps. A tall, handsome, blond haired boy stepped forward. Sherman immediately recognized him. It was Joey Montague, his best friend during high school. Tragically, before graduating Easternville six years ago, Joey had electrocuted himself while attempting to fix a broken TV at home. Sherman had never gotten over his pal's demise. Now here he was in front of him, looking more alive than dead.

Joey smiled. “ I bet you're surprised to see me again.”

“I certainly am,” Sherman stuttered.

“Well, I'm not here to scare you out of your wits, in case that's what you're thinking. All of us here have come back because we'd like a favor from you.”

“Favor? What kind of favor, Joey,” Sherman asked, a bit suspicious.

“Since fate deprived us of graduating, we decided to hold our own and want you to preside. It is something we must do to finally give us peace.”

“But why pick me?”

“We want a vibrant living member of the staff. It will give the ceremony a touch of authenticity.”

“Why don't you get in touch with the principal? Wouldn't he be a better choice?”

Joey shook his head. “No, he wouldn't have been able to handle it, probably get a heart attack. Besides it will be nice having the newest teacher in the school. Sort of connecting the present with the past.”

Sherman studied the faces of the spirits. They looked so sad. Fate had cut them off from maturing and experiencing so many things as an adult. He sighed. How could he refuse these forlorn souls if it would help them get some happiness.

“Okay. Tell me what I have to do, and where and when you plan to hold your graduation.”

The phantoms cheered and surrounded him.

“It's all very simple,” Joey said. “It will be held here in the old auditorium at midnight after the last day of school, one week from now. We will make sure the side door to the auditorium is open. All you have to do is go on stage and read the graduates' names from a list we will leave on the podium. Afterward, perhaps you can then say a few nice words of your own. As I remember, you were always good with words. The whole event shouldn't be that long. Any questions?”

“No, it sounds simple enough.”

“Good, then we'll see you then.”

The supernatural entities vanished, leaving Sherman alone to ponder what he had just consented to do. A moment later, he became anxious. After all, the entire situation seemed so surreal, but there was no doubt in his mind that this was more than just a figment of his imagination.

Margaret, his wife of two years, had just put their infant son back to sleep. She had noticed that Sherman had acted very strangely this past week. Usually lively and talkative, he had become very remote and quiet, as if something were laying heavily on his mind. She found him in their bedroom putting on his suit.

“Why are you dressing up at this hour?”

“Oh, I have an unusually late appointment tonight,”

“You never mentioned it.”

“Didn't I? Oh, I guess I forgot. Hopefully, It won't be that long.”

“This all sounds very weird. Just what and where is this meeting?”

Sherman became irrate. “Stop giving me the third degree.”

From his reaction, his wife knew something was definitely wrong.

“But, Sherman . . . ”

Without saying another word, Sherman got up and walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him. About twenty minutes later Margaret got a call from her sister who lived across the street from the school grounds.

“Margaret, I just was closing my window when I saw Sherman walking into the auditorium entrance of the old school building. It's so dark and dangerous in there. What's going on?”

***

“Mr. Ross, you may begin the calling the names of the graduates,” the specter at the table softly said to the only living person in the auditorium, Sherman put on his reading classes and began. One by one the students came forward and took a diploma. Joey, who was the last student to receive it, gave Sherman a big smile as he passed him. Then the ghost who had assisted handing out the diplomas spoke.

“Mr. Sherman Ross will now say a few words to the graduates, ” he announced.

Sherman cleared his throat. Too preoccupied, the man was not aware that his wife had just entered the side entrance and was standing in the shadows, terrified. Not having prepared a formal speech, he spoke extemporaneously.

“I am filled with remorse that these young spirits behind me never got the chance to reach their dreams and aspirations. When I was asked by them to officiate at this most highly unusual ceremony, I readily agreed because it could help bring them some closure after finally getting the chance to achieve what was denied to them during life. May their souls now have eternal serenity.”

There was a sound of hallowed applauds from the audience. The spirits on stage thanked Sherman then disappeared. The mist returned and the auditorium returned to its dismal and empty state. The teacher quickly began leaving the stage. Suddenly, the sprit of Joey reappeared and forcibly blocked him.

“Don't go, Sherman, Stay with me. We could be pals again. It will be sort of my graduation present. You won't be sorry, I promise. I ‘ll show you things that will go behind your wildest dreams.”

“No, Joey, my wife and son need me around,” Sherman adamantly replied.

He quickly tried walking away, but became immobile when the determined spirit grabbed him by the shoulder. The phantom's youthful face instantly turned a ghastly moldy green color, with large dark eyes that angrily glared at the startled mortal. There was an over powering stench of decay in the air.

“Your family will survive without you, just as mine did,” the phantom refuted. “No one is indispensable on earth. I want you with me!”

Margot stepped out of the shadows and ran up the stage, pushing the spirit off of her husband.

“You can't have him, it is not his time yet “ she screamed. “How selfish you are after all he did for you. I thought the afterlife would give wisdom to deceased souls like you, but obviously I'm mistaken. Now return like the others to where you belong and stop bothering the living.”

Joey looked upset. “ Darn it, your womanly love for Sherwood makes you more powerful than I am. ” Grunting, he backed away and vaporized.

Sherman gave a sigh of relief and took his wife around.

“Joey always wanted to get his own way. Wow, am I glad to see you. Just how did you know I was here, honey?”

“Can we discuss that after we leave?” she impatiently asked, grabbing his hand and rushing him out of the building.