Cam Jansen and the Graduation Day Mystery by David A. Adler Page B

Two
    â€œThat’s Dr. Bette Guterman,” Eric’s mother whispered. “She’s the president of the college.”
    The large crowd was suddenly quiet. Donna, Diane, and Grandpa Shelton hurried to their seats.
    â€œWe found Dad,” Donna said. “He’s sitting in the middle of the fourth row. We waved to him, and he waved back.”
    â€œEveryone please rise,” Dr. Guterman said.
    Thousands of people in the huge field stood.
    Mrs. Shelton stood slowly. She didn’t want to wake Howie.
    â€œStand straight,” the woman sitting behind the Sheltons told her son. “Hold your hand over your heart.”
    Harry held his hand and his toy train over his heart.
    â€œHold your paw to your heart,” Harry told the cat.
    Dr. Guterman and the people at the graduation faced the flag of the United States. They recited the pledge of allegiance. Then they sang the national anthem.
    Dr. Guterman asked everyone to be seated.
    â€œWhat happens now?” Diane asked.
    Grandpa looked at his program.
    â€œA speech,” Grandpa answered.
    â€œAnd then what?” Diane asked.
    â€œAnother speech,” Grandpa said, “and another, and another.”
    Diane complained, “No one told me I’d have to listen to so many speeches.”
    â€œYou don’t have to listen,” her mother whispered. “You just have to sit quietly.”
    Diane and Donna sat quietly for a while. Then they played with Harry and the cat.
    Cam and Eric turned and watched Donna, Diane, and Harry feed the cat animal crackers.
    â€œIt’s almost over,” Mrs. Shelton whispered to Cam and Eric. “The graduates are getting their diplomas.”
    One by one Dr. Guterman called out the names of the graduates in the order they were listed in the program. One by one the graduates stepped onto the platform. They received their diplomas. Then they returned to their seats.
    â€œYay, Jacob!” a few people sitting in front of the Sheltons called out.
    A young man with short dark hair had just received his diploma. He held it up and smiled.
    â€œYay, Margery!” Harry and his mother called out.
    A young woman just climbing onto the platform turned and bowed to the crowd.
    Donna said, “I’m hungry.”
    â€œSoon we’re going to a restaurant,” Grandpa told her. “You’ll have plenty to eat.”
    â€œAnne Sheldon,” Dr. Guterman called.
    â€œNancy Sheller.”
    â€œDad is next,” Mrs. Shelton whispered.
    Grandpa hurried down the aisle.
    â€œBenjamin Shelton,” Dr. Guterman called.
    Eric told Cam, “Benjamin is Dad’s real name. Ben is just what most people call him. It’s his nickname.”
    Cam said, “I know about nicknames.”
    Mr. Shelton stepped onto the platform.
    Cam stood. She looked straight at Eric’s father. She blinked her eyes and said, “Click!”
    Mrs. Shelton stood. She was holding baby Howie. Eric and the twins stood, too.
    Dr. Guterman gave Mr. Shelton his diploma. He held it up and smiled.
    â€œYay!” Mrs. Shelton and Cam called out.

    â€œYay, Dad!” Eric and the twins called out.
    Howie opened his eyes. He looked at his mother and smiled.
    â€œIsaac Shulman,” Dr. Guterman called.
    Grandpa Shelton hurried back to his seat.
    â€œLook,” he said, and showed everyone the small screen on the back of his digital camera. “I took some great pictures of Ben.”
    â€œI took pictures, too,” Cam said, “but I took mine with my mental camera.”
    After all the graduates had received their diplomas, Dr. Guterman held up her hands. She wanted everyone to be quiet.
    â€œWhat’s happening now?” Diane asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” her mother whispered. “There’s nothing else listed on the program.”
    Everyone was quiet. They looked at Dr. Guterman and waited.
    Dr. Guterman smiled. Then she announced, “Congratulations to