Center of Center (30)

a serial novella-in-flash by Chris Wiewiora

I still had more than enough time before my shift so I took a walk to C.U. A bike path cut from H.Q. into central campus.

Huddles of parents stood with their new grads. A mass of black gowns and khaki pants and pastel button-ups and lighter hued sundresses took turns assembling by the planters of hybrid TorBrid tulips. Their petals streaked with C.U.’s colors of blue and white.

Everyone squinted in the bright afternoon light with their sunglasses off for recording vid-scrolls. People from other families took turns with their digi-cuffs.

I looked out of place in my black pants and blue polo and ball cap. But I used to fit in as one of teacher of their students. A lone sentinel.

At the Student Union, Elizabeth Yoder (B) steps on my bus, smiles, and says, Hey, Mr. W. There’s no pity in her face and she doesn’t condescend to say something like, So, this is what you’re doing now?