They would read the names of the graduates and we’d line up to shake the principal’s hand and get the fake. They just give you an empty folder wit... a flier in it that says ‘Congratulations! You’re a graduate!’ So, it doesn’t make any difference what order we go up in. It’s just so there will be a picture they can sell us when we get our diploma in the mail.So, of course, our little clique managed to all sit together. All except Sarah Lynn. She was valedictorian and had to sit on the dais so she. “You need to keep your affiliation with me as quiet as possible,” he told her. “Things are going to get pretty ugly pretty soon. The week after Thanksgiving is when the news about the financial settlement is going to be announced. With what the county and city owe me, my attorney calculated a 12 percent property tax increase to cover the debt.”Mel let out a gasp.“Brock, the people down here are bitching about property taxes anyway,” she said. “They’re going to throw a fit about the. Simpkins?" "Yes, I did." "And your relationship with Mr. Simpkins was?" "He and I have been friends since High School." "Approximately how long ago was that?" "10 years." "OK. Now, when was the last time you saw Mr. Simpkins?" "December 31st, 2034." "And what kind of emotional state was he in?" "He seemed OK. He even laughed a few times." "He wasn't mad at you?" "No." "And you weren't mad at him?" "No." "What was the reason the two of you had gotten together?" "We were going out to celebrate. "They ate in silence, Megan finished her wine and Dave poured her more. They were both sated, the food being plentiful and they were just playing with the leftovers, pushing them around the plate with the cutlery.After a while Megan spoke."So why me? You don't look like the type that needs to pay for it? Or are you just into the young stuff?"Dave was taken aback by her abruptness. It was not a question he particularly wanted to answer either to Megan or himself. He tried to change the.