College was over. He glanced around the now empty dorm room and groaned. His roommate and best friend, Mark, had moved out already, and the last of Jim’s stuff was scattered haphazardly around the cramped dorm. He didn’t have a job yet, which meant he’d be moving back into his parents’ house for now.

That was the last thing he wanted to do.

A shrill ringing interrupted his thoughts and he lunged for the phone.

“Hello?” he breathed into the phone as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Hey dork,” a familiar voice answered, and he couldn’t help but have a grin break out on his face, “Mom is wondering where you are.”

“I’m in my dorm,” he answered, “are you guys here already, sis?”

“Yeah,” she answered, “we’re by the library. Mom wanted to make sure she got a good seat.”

“That doesn’t really surprise me, Kara,” Jim answered and shared a quick laugh with his younger sister. “I’ll be down soon, but then I’m going to have to line up.”

“I know,” she said, “Mom is going to take about a million pictures today, just be warned.”

“Thanks,” Jim said with a groan, “I’ll have to make sure Mark doesn’t come anywhere near her today. He’s already skipped out of here though.”

“Good idea,” Kara agreed with a laugh. “See you in a bit?”

“Tell mom to give me five minutes,” Jim assured her, “No longer.”

“You’d better hurry.”

“I will.”

Jim placed the phone back on the receiver and shook his head. He loved talking to his baby sister. He was eight years older than her, but they’d always been close. It was the only thing that made moving home not so horrible. She’d been begging him to teach her to drive for ages, and since she’d be getting her permit this summer, he would finally be able to keep that promise.

His brothers would be missing his graduation, but he didn’t care. He wanted to skip it himself, but his mother wouldn’t have it. He couldn’t believe it, but he was actually jealous of his brothers for not being there.

He sighed and grabbed the tie hanging from the back of his desk chair, quickly tying it around his neck. Shrugging into the coat jacket, he grabbed his wallet and headed out the door.

He knew better than to anger his mother, and she would be furious if he was late.

“Hey man!” a friend from his hall called in greeting to Jim as he headed down the stairs. “You ready for this?”

“You bet,” Jim answered with a curt nod, “See you around Matt.”

“You too Jim,” he answered as Jim kept going down the stairs. He had made friends easy in college, Mark included, and he was known around the building as the prankster. He had pulled pranks on almost everyone in the hall at least once, and he was really starting to develop a gift of it.

It sure made life fun.

“There you are,” his mother called from across the courtyard of his dorm building, “I was starting to think you forgot about us.”

“Of course I haven’t forgot about you,” he answered as he placed a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “I couldn’t forget about you.”

“Well good,” Larissa Halpert smiled, “I want to get some pictures before the ceremony and then some after. Where is Mark?”

“I’m not sure where Mark is,” Jim answered, “he moved out yesterday and I’m not sure when him and Maggie are going to get here.”

“Oh,” Larissa said and paused for a moment. “Well, I want some pictures with him, so make sure he doesn’t disappear after the ceremony.”

“Yes mom,” he answered, sharing a smile with Kara. Then he noticed his father standing off to the side and gave a friendly wave, “Hey dad, didn’t see you over there.”

“Oh, I just let your mom do her thing,” Kevin Halpert said. Larissa groaned at his comment, to which he answered, “Oh honey, I’m just kidding.”

“I gotta get in line, Mom,” Jim interrupted, “Let’s take a couple pictures so I can go, okay?”

Larissa nodded and starting snapping pictures like the photographer she was. He couldn’t remember a time when a camera wasn’t attached to his mom’s arm. It was something the Halpert clan had gotten used to at a young age.

After several pictures and lots of groans Larissa released Jim to get in line with his fellow graduates.

“So Jim,” a guy from his hall greeted, “have you found a job yet?”

“Nope,” he answered embarrassedly, “I’ve sent several resumes out, but really haven’t heard anything. I guess getting a degree in English wasn’t the smartest thing.”

“You’ll find something soon I’m sure,” Greg assured him, “and are you still planning on getting your teaching certificate?”

“That is the plan,” Jim answered with a nod. “Somewhere in the future at least.”

“Good,” Greg answered, “You’d make a good teacher. All right, let’s get this show on the road. I’m ready to be out of here.”

“Me too,” Jim answered, and several people murmured their agreement around them. Jim smiled. College life was really about to be over for good.

He was going to have to be an adult.

It was going to suck.

---

The ceremony was dragging on and on and Jim was ready to just screw it and leave, but he figured that wouldn’t look too good, so he forced himself to stay in his seat.

He was trying his hardest to ignore his mother and the constant clicking of a camera. He shook his head at his mother’s ability to still embarrass him, even as a college graduate. Jim kept his face forward in attempt to block out his family’s craziness.

“Hey,” a guy named Daniel whispered, “Hey Jim.”

“Yeah Danny?”

“I need to talk to you after this is all finally over,” he whispered, “I’ve got something you might be interested in.”

“Okay?”

Daniel turned forward again and Jim furrowed his brow in confusion. He knew Daniel, not great, but he knew him. He didn’t know what Daniel would want to talk to him about.

After what felt like hours later, they were finally throwing their hats into the air and that was it. They were finally done!

Hugs and cheers were emitted from the large graduating class, and Jim said goodbye to the lots of friends he’d made over his four years there. He was surprised with how much he actually going to miss it.

“Hey Jim,” a girl that was in one of his writing classes greeted him, “Are you glad to finally be done with U of P? I know I am!”

“Um,” Jim answered honestly, “I’m not sure. It’s a little daunting, isn’t it Amy? To be thrown into adult life?”

“Yeah a little bit,” she said with a smile, “but I think I’m ready to have a career. I got a job in New York at a magazine, so that is really exciting.”

“Congrats Amy!” Jim exclaimed and hugged her quickly, “That is awesome!”

“What are you going to be doing?”

“Uh,” Jim stammered, “I’m not sure yet actually. I’m still looking.”

“Good luck,” Amy said, “Look me up if you are ever in New York, okay?”

“Sure thing,” Jim nodded, “Same here. Don’t forget us here in little Philadelphia.”

“You couldn’t be forgotten,” Amy flirted, “And I won’t. Talk to you soon.”

“Yeah,” Jim nodded as he watched Amy walk away.

Jim looked around the group and smiled. It was really good to be done. Amy was right, having a career was going to be great. Getting married and settling down with the right girl, it was all going to be worth it.

---

“Just one more Jimmy,” Larissa pleaded, “Get in there, Mark. There it is, the boys.”

“Mom,” Jim begged, “Please. We’ve been taking pictures for ages, and Mark is going to dinner with Maggie and her parents and needs to go. And I’m sure Kara is starving.”

“Yes!” Kara exclaimed in agreement, “Starving! Please, lets go eat!”

“Okay,” Kevin agreed, “Lets go. Wherever you want to go Jim. It’s your day.”

Kara threaded her arm through Jim’s and they started off towards the parking lot and the cars.

“Hey Jim!” he heard Daniel’s voice call from behind him, “Wait up!”

“Daniel,” Jim greeted, “you wanted to talk to me, right?”

“Yeah,” he said, “and I’m headed home this afternoon so I need to talk to you now.”

“No problem,” Jim answered, “Hey Kara will you tell mom and dad I’ll meet them at the restaurant. I won’t be long.”

“Sure,” Kara said and placed a kiss on his cheek. “But hurry up, I really am starving, big brother!”

“Sorry about that Daniel,” Jim turned back to his classmate. “What’s up?”

“I couldn’t help but overhear that you are still looking for a job…”

“Yeah,” Jim answered, “I am. Do you know of something?”

“I do,” Daniel told him, “but it isn’t in Philadelphia, it is in Scranton.”

“Scranton?”

“It’s a fairly small town about two hours away from here...” Daniel started to tell him.

“Oh I know,” Jim interrupted, “I lived there until I was eleven.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Jim answered, “ I was born there. That's weird.”

“I agree with you there,” Danny lauged. “Are you still interested?”

“Uh, yeah. Where is it?”

“My Uncle works in HR for this paper company and they are hiring a salesman.”

“A salesman? For paper?”

“Yeah,” Daniel shrugged, “Sounds kinda boring, I know, but I just thought I’d let you know. I can give you my uncle’s number if you want.”

“You know what,” Jim said, “that would be great. Anything is better than nothing. We’ll see if it works out. Thanks for thinking of me.”

“No problem,” Daniel said with one of those manly pats on the back and handed him a business card. “His name is Toby and the company is called Dunder-Mifflin Paper. From what my uncle says, the boss is a little nuts, but it has full benefits, good pay and vacation time.”

“Thanks Daniel,” Jim told him honestly. “I’ll give him a call in a bit.”

“See you around Jim.”

“Bye Daniel.”

Jim studied the business card in his hand. This wasn’t the job of his dreams, but it was a job. Maybe he’d give ‘Uncle’ Toby a call today.

---

Jim couldn’t believe it was that easy. He pulled up to the restaurant where he was meeting his family and flipped his phone closed. After an odd conference call with Daniel’s uncle Toby and the regional manger, Michael, he practically had the job. All he had to do was come in for an interview that week, sign some papers, and he was in.

He couldn’t believe it was that easy.

“About time big brother,” Kara greeted him when he arrived at the table. “What took you so long?”

“Sorry,” Jim said as he sat down, “Daniel, a friend from my floor, wanted to tell me about a job in an office where his uncle works. So I called and asked about it.”

“And…?” Kevin asked, “Does it sound good?”

“It isn’t my dream job,” Jim answered honestly, “but it has great pay, full benefits, and flexibility. I actually have an interview on Wednesday.”

“Honey that is great!” Larissa cooed. “Where is it?”

“It’s at Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company,” Jim told his family, and watched as confusion spread over their faces.

“I’ve never heard of that company before,” Kevin stated, “is it here in Philadelphia?”

“Uh no,” Jim answered, “that is the only thing. It is in Scranton.”

“Really? Isn't that where grandma and grandpa live?” Kara inquired.

“Yeah,” Larissa answered, “your dad and I meet there. We moved when you were three, Kara, because of your dad's job. I’ve still got a few friends who live there. I thought you were going to move home though Jim.”

“I was,” he said, “but I haven’t been able to find a job here mom. And if I can find a job in Scranton…”

“So, when will you know?”

“Really, I think I’ll know Wednesday. Michael, the regional manager, seemed to think I was hired already and I just need to sign paperwork. I guess I’ll know then. I have to be at the office at ten am on Wednesday. If I get it, I’ll look around that afternoon for a place to live.”

“Sounds good son, “ Kevin told his son, “but do you have the money to put down on a place?”

“I’ve got some in savings, yes,” Jim answered, “not a lot, but some. I’ll just scrimp and save. I’ve been doing fine so far.”

“We’ll help you get settled if you get the job,” Larissa assured him, “we helped Tom and Pete venture out on their own too. Right honey?”

“Of course,” Kevin answered. “Now, let’s eat.”

“I’m going to miss you big brother,” Kara whispered, “but I better be able to come and visit you whenever I want.”

“Sure thing,” he answered back, “and I’ll still promise to help teach you how to drive.”

“Promise.”

“Promise.”

---

Eight thousand, two hundred, and fifty-nine

Another ‘milestone’ in my life happened today. Graduation from college. It’s been crazy. It’s been a crazy four years really. I’ve met some great people and made some lasting friendships. Mark for one, who as my roommate and best friend has been in many of these great little entries, will be someone who I’ll be friends with for a long time.

And that is exciting. I like making those types of friendships.

I’m hoping that someday a friendship like that will develop with that special girl who I’ll grow old with.

I’m a romantic; that I know. Kara makes fun of me for it all the time.

I haven’t been one to believe in fate, but that might have been shaken a little today. A job has been almost dropped into my lap. It’s at a little paper company a few hours away from my parents, but I think I’m ready to venture out. I mean, I grew up there. Weird huh? I was eleven when we moved away. Besides, I actually do have family there still. My grandparents still live in the house where my dad grew up. It may be nice to be near them again.

I go for an interview in a couple days, and I’ll apartment hunt if it looks good.

Maybe being an adult won’t be so bad after all.