There’s a pause. “I said we won’t be able to come to your graduation. The Scarlet Gala is just taking up so much time this year, you know, and there really isn’t anyone else who can…”
But I stop listening as a sharp ringing starts in my ears.
I can’t have heard her correctly. Surely not. There isn’t… I can’t even believe what I just…
They’re not coming to graduation? Is she fucking serious?
I knew things were strained, but I’m their daughter. I’m supposed to be important.What is happening?
She’s still talking on the other end of the line, but I just let my hand drop from my ear and stare at my cell screen, watching the tiny numbers click by. Before I can think better of it, I hit the giant red X to end the call. Even in my most rebellious times, I’veneverhung up on my mother before.
I don’t know how long I’m sitting there, my mind numb, when I hear a knock on the door. I stand woodenly and grab my backpack and water bottle, make sure I have my keys and phone, then slip my shoes on at the door before opening it.
Jeremy stands there with a small smile on his face, but it falls quickly when he sees me.
“What’s wrong?”
I just shake my head, push a pair of sunglasses onto my face and give him the best smile I can muster up. “Rough morning. Lets go.”
I push him lightly out of the way when he doesn’t move, so I can turn and lock the door. But when I start walking out to his SUV, he grabs my wrist and stops me.
“Charlie, what’s going on?”
I pull my wrist out of his grip.
“Nothing I want to talk about, okay?” My tense stance deflates slightly at the tenderness and worry on his face. “Like I said, rough morning. I just need to focus on this game and whatever before I think about this, okay?”
When he finally nods, reluctantly I can tell, I turn and walk out to the car where Malory waits for us.
The morning is a blur, which I hate. Combine the exhaustion from my overnight shift with the emotion from hearing my parents are skipping my graduation, and I just feel like one big exposed nerve. I stand on the sidelines with my clipboard and whistle and pen, contributing absolutely nothing but fragile smiles as the team plays their first game. They look so precious in their little blue and black uniforms, and they have so much energy and I wantsobadly to be emotionally present right now. But I just can’t.
So I let out a huge sigh of relief when the game is over and the kids and families are all packed up and heading home. I sit quietly in the bleachers and wait as Jeremy finishes up his conversation with Patrick. I keep replaying what my mother said to me, trying, trying so hard to understand where she’s coming from. But I just can’t.
When Jeremy wraps up and they shake hands, I lug the massive mesh bag of basketballs towards the exit.
“I got it, Char,” Jeremy says, taking the bag out of my hands. He’s still looking at me with worry, like I’m a wounded animal. And maybe I am. I sure feel like I’ve been discarded. Maybe hit by a car and left for dead. It’s amazing what a few inconsiderate words can do to your psyche.
“Thanks,” I say, and then start walking over to his car.
After we’ve buckled into the backseat and Malory has started driving, Jeremy turns to face me.
“You wanna tell me what’s going on, yet?” he asks.
When I sit in silence for too long, he gets impatient.
“I know I might not be able to fix the problem, Charlie, but you’re the person who espouses the virtues of talking about your problems. You’re the one who always encouraged Rachel to go to therapy, and who called me on my shit for not talking about my own problems. Well, it’s time for you to say what’s going on.”
I take in the encouraging smile on his face and sigh.
“My parents are skipping my graduation.”
His head jerks back.
“What?”
I nod. “I know. My mom does this big gala every year to benefit the University, and she said they have too much going on right now to make it.” I turn to look at him. “But I know it’s just a bunch of bullshit. They don’t want to come out here. They don’t support me and what I’m doing, so they aren’t coming.” I shrug and look down at my hands, picking at my nails. “I guess I just always thought that even if they didn’t support my choices, they would at least still supportme.But after what happened with my brother, I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess.”
Jeremy’s silent as I vent, but I can feel the anger simmering from him, radiating towards me.
