In addition to the black gown, I’ve got cream and crimson fourragères on my left shoulder and a white tassel on my hat and a gold cord around my neck and a crimson Stole of Gratitude with the IU seal on it. Not bad for an undergrad degree, though it pales next to Professor Smith’s regalia. She is a sea of black velvet bands and royal-blue velvet and pink and white satin and gold cording, and when I see her, I want a doctoral hood so much, I could die. “Nice outfit!” I say. “Have you seen my parents anywhere?” “No, not yet,” she says, and we both look around, as if they might be hiding. I told my parents I’d meet them here at the psych department reception right after the commencement ceremony, but they’re late. They probably got lost. I’m turning my head to look for them when there’s a tap on my shoulder. I turn and find Charles smiling at me. “Phwar,” he says with the same ridiculous grin I can feel on my own face. He touches the gold cord at my neck. “Get a load of this.”
