She sat stiffly, hands folded in her lap, eyes trained on the program in front of her.Her hair was neatly combed, her outfit simple, clean, appropriate.For the first time in my life, she looked ordinary.Like any other parent attending their kid’s graduation.
Except she wasn’t like that.Not really.
She looked my way before glancing away.And somehow, that tiny flicker of acknowledgement was enough to twist my happiness inside my chest.
The ceremony finally began.Names were called.Students walked across to cheering and clapping.Since my last name was Wiles, I had to watch as all the guys graduated before me.Even Micah.I tried my best to be one of the loudest for all of them.Hazel and Lillian were actually not too far behind me, only a couple of people between us, so between the three of us, we made sure they could hear us.
And then it was my turn all too soon, but not soon enough.
“Cadence Wiles.”
Everything inside me stilled.I stepped forward.The walk felt surreal, like I was floating through a memory that hadn’t been written yet.The cheers swelled, filling the stadium.
I was able to safely grab my diploma, shake Principal Calgary’s hand as she grinned wide.“I’m so proud of you, Cadence.You deserve this moment so much, and I can’t wait to see what kind of woman you become.”
Her words hit me hard, and I had to blink to keep from crying and ruining the makeup Hazel and Lillian made me wear.
“Thank you,” I croaked before forcing myself to walk away.I held up my diploma for everyone to see.My dad and Janice were on their feet, cheering and whooping, but not as loud as the guys.They had traded seats around so all four were sitting together and holy crap were they so loud.I laughed and cried and made my way off the stage before I held up the line.As I was going down the stairs, I looked at Lindie.She was clapping.It was slow and stiff, but she still did and that oddly enough felt so good to see.
When I stepped off the stage, I exhaled a breath I felt like I’d been holding for years.
Once everyone got their diplomas and we tossed our caps into the air and cheered, the ceremony ended and the football field broke out into pure chaos.Families were hugging and crying.Cameras flashing nonstop all around, flowers everywhere.Friends practically screeching as they met up with each other.
My dad wrapped me in the biggest hug of them all.
“My little Cadie,” he murmured, squeezing me until I squeaked.“I’m so proud of you.So unbelievably proud.”
I buried my face in his shoulder.“Thank you.For everything.”
I didn’t even have a chance to draw in a breath as I pulled away before Janice hugged me next, soft and warm and smelling like peppermint lotion.“You deserve all of this and more.”
When we finally pulled away, Amy was there with Lindie.Amy hugged me.“Congratulations, Cadence.You fought for this.Remember that.”
“Thank you,” I croaked, beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the attention.
And then Lindie approached awkwardly.
“Congratulations,” she said in a voice that still carried that slight husk.“You did well.”
It wasn’t emotional.It didn’t need to be.She showed up and that spoke more than anything she could say.
“Thank you,” I said gently.
We stood there for a moment, two people tied only by blood, with too much distance between them.
“I found a house,” she said after a beat, glancing down at her bag.“Thanks to the lawyer you set me up with and with your father’s help.It’s nice.”
“I’m glad.”
“I start work next week,” she added.“Administrative assistant.It’s not much but...it’s something.”
“It’s a good start,” I said softly.“I think it’ll be good for you.”
She nodded once.“And...thank you.I know what you did.What most would have done, but you refused to do.”She swallowed and looked away.“I’m very aware of that.”
Something flickered in her eyes.Guilt?Gratitude?Regret?I wasn’t sure and at this point, I didn’t think I needed to know either.She was Lindie.That was all there was to it.At this point, I did what I wanted to do.I got her help, and she was well on her way back on her feet.
Lindie felt the same too.I could see it.After this, there was no telling who we’d become to each other, but I wasn’t going to cling to her, and she knew better than to cling to me too.
