I remember my graduation well

We didn’t go to bar.

There was a restaurant near the ocean

in a small harbour.

Not all places took cards, back then.

So half the people couldn’t drink.

My dad took me and some schoolmates

to the nearest grocery store

and took out some cash

My dad was the hero, that night

In a nice car

The hero status wasn’t extended on me

but that didn’t matter

I relished the drive 

because it meant I didn’t have to 

step into the madhouse

a while longer.