“I think you can request for four,” Seph says.
“At least that’s one more.” Auntie Grace sighs and turns to Kayla. “How are we going to bring your grandparents when your school only provides three tickets?”
Ma looks at me then. “They gave out graduation tickets already?”
My eyes dart to Kayla for help.
“They just announced it,” I lie, keeping my voice steady.
“Didn’t your teacher hand them out at the beginning of the school year?” Auntie Grace asks.
Shit.
“Ow!” Auntie Grace grimaces. “Kayla, why are you kicking me under the table?”
Kayla shakes her head and mouthsSorryat me.
Then Auntie Baby says, “Three tickets should work out for your situation, Beth.”
…
It was a quick moment, but I noticed it. I saw how Ma and my sister sneaked a glance at Dr. Derrick.
No.
No freaking way is Auntie Baby implying that Dr. Derrick is attending my graduation.
“I’m not invitinghim,” I make it clear.
“Niks,” Achi says, warning me to reel it in.
Dr. Derrick has the audacity to insert himself into the conversation. “Baby probably meant you can invite another family member to your graduation, Annika,” he says. “I’m sure you have a cousin, another aunt—”
“Yeah, mydad.”
My whole body tenses when the words slip out of my mouth. I look up and see the familiar concern flood Ma’s and Achi’s eyes again. He’s right here! If they only knew how he’s been here with us for the past few weeks, they’d know that he can’t possibly be gone.
I’m about to tell my family the truth when I hear Pa say that he doesn’t need the ticket.
“You don’t need to waste your ticket on me, Superstar,” he says, giving me a sad smile. “My days will be up by then.”
From that moment, it’s like my brain stops processing. All the noises around me get muffled. I vaguely hear when my aunties try to give me comforting words about Pa, when Ma attempts to offer me more food, or when Achi says something about handing out gifts. Their voices get drowned out by the panic hammering in my head.
Will Pa really be gone by graduation? How many of the forty days do I have left? “Excuse me.” I push my chair away from the table and get away from there.
31
I keep telling Pa I’m fine when he follows me. “Superstar, let’s talk,” he tells me again.
“Pa, I’mfine. Just wanted to get some air.” I plaster a smile on my face to prove the point.
“Why don’t we go somewhere?” he says. “Take Martha to see some Christmas lights.”
“Don’t think Martha can really see, Pa.”
I was hoping a joke about his car’s eyesight would change the subject, but Pa still doesn’t let up.
“Annika,” he says, and it sounds weird to hear him use my full name. “Come on, be serious. Let’s talk.”
