Page 99 of Advanced Chemistry

The band returned to the stage and immediately launched into a rousing rendition ofThis Will Be.

“Well, how about we dance then?” Raleigh asked.

Everett, for all his snarkiness, couldn’t resist him. Raleigh did the impossible: he brought out Everett’s sweet side. They folded into the couples on the dance floor.

Grandma Judy sidled up to Julian. “May I have this dance?”

“Absolutely, Grandma.” Julian stood up and took her hand.

“Chase, are these your boyfriends?” Grandma Judy asked me while sizing up Sebastian and Anton with no shame.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Anton said to her, followed by Sebastian.

She motioned for me to bend down so she could whisper in my ear. “Nice work. I’m shocked you’re still able to walk.”

I stood up straight, suddenly understanding why syphilis was so prevalent among senior citizens.

“Grandma, what did you say?” Julian asked.

“Child, I lived through the Sixties. I’ve seen it all. Now spin me around that dance floor,” she commanded. Julian rushed to her side, and off they went into the crowd of dancers.

Sebastian and Anton each turned and held out a hand to me.

“May I?” they said at the same time, before realizing what they were doing.

“We’re still working out the kinks,” Sebastian said to my friends.

There would be plenty more embarrassing moments like this to come, but no matter what, we could all laugh about them together.

“So what happens now? Do you pick, Chase?” Amos asked.

That was a good question. I could weigh the pros and cons of each man as a dance partner. Anton had more natural rhythm, but Sebastian likely had more technical dancing ability. I wasn’t one for decision making. Having two Romeos would complicate that.

“You guys dance,” Anton said. “I’ll get the next song.”

“See? We’ve worked out a dancing system,” I said.

“So in this relationship, who’s the alpha top dog?” Hutch asked.

The three of us shared a look, but we didn’t have to think for long about the answer.

“Einstein,” we said in unison.

EPILOGUE - SEBASTIAN

One Year Later

[Chase edit: Actually, it was eleven months and four days later]

Anton and I bolted out of our seats clapping and hooting, easily the loudest people in the South Rock football stadium. We screamed our support until our throats were sore. From the stage erected in the end zone, Chase gave us the simmer down gesture with one hand and accepted his award with the other.

Chase Mathison. Teacher of the Year. It had a nice ring to it.

“Mr. M., we love you!” Anton and I yelled. He wanted to paint a C on his chest. I reminded him this was a high school graduation. His shirt would have to stay on.

The audience felt our enthusiasm and jumped to their feet, too. Nothing less than a standing O for Mr. M.

“I like calling him Mr. M. in public because I know it makes him blush,” Anton whispered to me. The only other place he called Chase Mr. M. was in the bedroom.

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