Graduation Night

It was the day following graduation from high school. The night before had been a fairly wild evening for me as we were sequestered in the Crescent City Elks Club until two in the morning.

First was the fact that I had even graduated. I never expected to complete my schooling on time as I had very little interest in many of the subjects offered and furthermore I skipped so many classes, it seemed I’d never get my diploma.

During the after-graduation party, one of our now-former classmates, Debbie Oscar had some sort of emergency. When I got down the stairs to help our chaperone, Joel Barneburg, she was on the floor writhing around.

I knew enough by then to know it was something much stronger than beer or wine that had caused her fit.

She had to be taken away via ambulance. I never saw Debbie again after that.

Afterwards, we were carted by the bus-load back to the high school where we were dropped off with the idea of having someone there to pick us up. My folks were supposed to come and get me and Ida Philips after the party ended, but they were late.

So Ida and I decided to entertain each other for the next two hours by making out. It was also a great way to stay warm since it was a normal chilly, foggy night along the coast.

We were nearly home when a huge glow could be seen coming from the direction of Sander’s Court. Both Mom and Dad were instantly concerned that Ma and Pa Sander’s home was ablaze.

Since Dad was the fire chief and I was an EMT with the Yurok Volunteer Fire Department, we naturally pulled in to help fight the fire. Fortunately, it wasn’t Ma and Pa’s home burning, but one of their rental properties directly across the narrow gravel road from their house.

And that was jus’ between the hours of 7 pm and 5 am.