Summary

In “Graduation Afternoon,” Janice Gandolewski could not bring herself to call her boyfriend by his nickname, Buddy, or his given name, Bruce. She also could not bring herself to tell him that she loved him even though she was sure he would have liked that better than the silver medallion she had given him for his graduation.

Janice had decided to stay behind while the others went swimming. Bruce asked if it was because his grandmother had commented that while Janice was very pretty she was also: “A townie. Bruce’s friend for now” (179). Janice liked Bruce’s grandmother because she did not try to hide her snobbery. She is one of the few girls who go to public high school, but dates a rich boy from a private school.

Janice stands on the patio and looks at the skyline of New York...