The club had its annual Christmas party happening in two days. Christmas Eve where we spent our day with Jasper’s family two days after that. Christmas that we spent with mine. My birthday on the twenty-sixth. Jasper’s work party two days after that. And Harlow’s birthday wedding six days after that. Then, on the sixth of January, we’d all be driving Anders to her new home—UT—where she was going to study to become a doctor.
A freakin’ doctor.
I was so proud of her that it hurt.
“…As you just heard your valedictorian’s speech, I’d like you to hear her accomplishments,” the principal of the school, Mr. Allen, called out. “Anders Hodges graduates at the top of her class with a five-point-five class average. She graduates with her associate’s in science. And eighteen college credits toward her Bachelor of Nursing.”
The principal continued to list off all of Anders’s accomplishments, ending with, “Anders, come on up here.”
Anders got up and walked across the stage, getting her diploma handed to her as well as several cords wrapped around her neck.
“I feel so inadequate compared to her,” Searcy leaned over to whisper.
I snorted. “I was lucky to graduate, and here she is blowing us out of the water.”
“Agreed,” Koda said from my other side.
“I graduated with honors,” Kent called from Koda’s other side.
“That’s because you had someone to help you.” I flipped him off.
Kent winked at me, and we went back to bullshitting among ourselves.
It took three solid hours for all of the graduates to be called, and we stayed for every single one, because everyone deserved to be celebrated. It was a huge accomplishment.
I should know.
I had to work my ass off to earn it.
It was one of my greatest accomplishments.
Right on up there with marrying my husband, getting the best job in the world, and making myself into a person my family can be proud of.
The graduation ended, and I finally got to stand up and head to my husband.
He caught me in his arms when I got close and pulled me in tight, his mouth coming to mine.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
I leaned into him. “I’m so glad to be home. My boss said that I wouldn’t be traveling anymore until the fourth quarter of next year.”
“Good,” he growled. “Having you away from me for two nights really sucks.”
I knew exactly how he felt.
Squeals had us all turning to find Anders making her way to us.
I let my husband go in just enough time for Anders to hit Searcy and me.
She squeezed us in tight, and Koda and Kent followed suit.
We were one big Hodges huddle.
“So proud of you, And,” I said into her hair.
She squeezed me a little bit tighter. “Couldn’t have done it without y’all.”
Mr. Winthrop manned the dessert table, arranging cookies just so.
