Well, we graduated in early June and it was hard to believe that I was finally over school. I didn’t have time to really think about it because Green Day went on tour the day afterwards.
The band only got better from there. We released our first album that year and went on to add another to our discography within two years. Since then, we’ve released five more albums. Dookie, our first major album, went diamond.
I still haven’t had much luck in my love life. I’ve been married twice, both citing the band as a reason for divorce. But my first marriage resulted in my daughter, Estelle, who I call my “Hero.” Currently, I’m dating Brittany now, whose pregnant with my second child.
I still love my band mates – Tre and Billie Joe – and am thankful for them everyday. They’re two of my best friends and have been for almost twenty years.
In regards to Mary... well, we didn’t talk all that often after school ended. I heard about her through various people. She did end up going to Berkeley, getting her Bachelors in Art History. By the time she was done her freshman year, she and Ryan, who went to Berkeley as well to become an architect, moved in together. They were married before graduation.
I didn’t see her until a long time after high school... probably some eight years later when I happened upon her art gallery. When I entered it, I had no idea she was its owner. Normally, when I hear people call my name, I expect to see a fan who somehow recognized me, but no one called me Mike Pritchard much anymore.
Turning around, I saw her, looking practically the same minus the large stomach she sported, “Jesus, you look ready to burst! Ryan’s work, I presume?”
She grinned, “Oh yes, little Liam is supposed to grace us soon enough. Ryan’s ecstatic. But then again, so am I.”
“My wife, Anatasia, just gave birth to our daughter, Estelle, a few months ago,” he smiled proudly.
“Oh! Pictures this instant, Michael!”
He obliged her, loving any moment to brag about his beautiful baby. She was all congratulations on my marriage and new born.
I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel about seeing her. I didn’t feel really as if I had missed out on anything important, I loved the life I had. I know, if we had stayed together, we probably would’ve been happy too, but I think everyone knew she had been meant for Ryan Moran.
“Too think within the first month of opening, I’m privileged with the presence of a rock star!” she laughed, “It really is so good to see you, Mike. I’m so happy for your success.”
Typical Mary, sweet as always.
She went on to be quite a successful art dealer, managing to balance entrepreneur, wife, and soon mother of two children, Liam and Ella. She even made time to stay in contact with me, though it seemed she contacted Billie Joe a lot more. I always found that odd but I guess once his eyes were only for Adrienne, Mary was no longer an object of affection or lust, just a friend which is what she had wanted all along from him. They always tried to communicate in French but Billie Joe’s had gone to hell since high school so it usually only consisted along the lines of ‘bonjour’ and ‘merci mon ami.’
After a time, even Ryan was friendly with me; it was probably easier for him knowing he had finally won former Homecoming and Prom Queen, Mary Pierceson... excuse me, now it’s Mary Moran. Catchy, isn’t it? That should’ve been a sign to me, if not to her, long ago that they had a future together.
I look back at those times happily. It could have gone better but the past is already done and there’s only the future to look to – hello, I’ve got another kid on the way!
Despite that, my past may be rather like a roller coaster with a crazy family life, two ex-wives, and plenty of ex-girlfriends. Mary might be my favorite ex though, probably because we still talk. Break ups will probably always suck but they don’t have to drag on. I guess Mary understood that.
Life can be pretty insane but it’s good friends that will help get you through it. They might come and go but they always leave some kind of foot print behind on your soul, something to remember them by.
I know I keep harping on Mary but she’s the best example. She taught me not to judge a book by its cover and she showed me another world that I had previously misunderstood. She even taught Billie Joe French (it’s not really her fault he’s shit now... he can still conjugate être at least) and John got help with his Spanish. God knows who else was tutored or mentored by her.
I guess her two kids are probably the best examples though. They speak more languages than I do. Little Liam (I sometimes call him LL Cool J, which is helpful since his middle name is James) is as smart as a whip and Ella is turning out to be one hell-of-a little league pitcher. She threw me a pitch one, which I actually was stupid enough to catch, and I swear I thought my music career was over from the pain in my hand. Mary had just laughed and tossed me an ice pack.
I feel like an old man taking about all our kids growing up and how they’re our true legacy, but I guess that’s the parent in me talking. Mary and Ryan gush about their two rascals while I could take until I’m blue in the face about my Estelle.
I don’t think there’s much more I can say about all that... so peace everyone. Take care and all.
