“Uh oh,” Oscar said.“I know that tone.It finally hit you, didn’t it?”
I nodded.“She came out in her white dress, and I almost lost it.How in the hell did she grow up so fast?”
Christy rested her head on my shoulder.“I’ve wondered that about all of them.”
“I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard.The hits aren’t done yet.But it’s going to be exciting to watch her figure out who she is and find her place in the world,” Oscar said.
I drew a breath and let it out slowly.“Thank you both for being here.I didn’t know this was going to be so hard.”
Music started over the loudspeakers, and I reached for my phone to record the ceremony and take pictures.
Christy put her hand on mine.“You watch.Soak in the moment.Enjoy it.I’ll make sure you have pictures.”
“And video?”
“The school has a camera set up.You’ll get the video.”Oscar nodded to the video camera set up next to the stage, a student behind the camera.
And in front of the student were the first graduates.
Students filed out in either amethyst or gray robes over their fancier clothes.The antiquated distinction of separating them by two genders was a ritual, but I was proud the school had allowed all the kids to choose which color they wore.The mixture of school colors didn’t favor one color or the other but was a blend, like the students themselves.One-hundred-six kids took their seats on folding chairs in the middle of the football field.
With Christy taking pictures and the school recording the graduation, I watched it without any distractions.The class valedictorian gave a motivating speech about finding their paths and remembering where they came from.The salutatorian spoke about being true to who they were and going forward with kindness.The superintendent of the district congratulated the students and rattled off statistics about the scholarships the graduates earned, the variety of colleges they chose, and the things he knew they would do with their bright futures.
When they announced the procession of graduates across the stage, Oscar clapped me on the back.“This is it, man.”
I swallowed the emotion in my throat and watched the kids file through.Each student received a round of cheers from their family and friends watching in the stands, and when it was Evie’s turn, she was no different.
“Evelyn Margaret Morris.”
“Evie!”Oscar shouted.
“Woohoo!”Christy cheered.
I whistled loudly.
Hannah and Brian stood and clapped loudly.I noticed other students cheering for Evie and parents of her friends and former soccer and hockey teammates.
Evie threw her hands up in celebration as she sauntered across the stage, accepting handshakes from the principal, guidance counselor, and superintendent.
At the end of the stage, Evie threw her arms around Ms.Connor, her homeroom teacher of four years and personal hero.Ms.Connor encouraged Evie every step of the way through high school and had become a friend.
I wiped my eyes as Evie made her way back to her seat, her smile so big I could see it from where we were.
“You did good, Josh,” Oscar said, grabbing my shoulder and tugging me against him in a hug.
“Thanks.I couldn’t have done it without you guys,” I said, hugging him back, then reaching for Christy.
She wiped her brown eyes and hugged me, reaching for Oscar to make it a trio.“I’m so happy I have you guys.”
“You okay?”I asked, feeling like it was more than just emotions.
Christy shrugged.“Just thinking how different everything is going to be next summer.”
I swallowed against the tightness in my throat and hugged Christy tighter.Oscar did the same, placing a hand on Christy’s shoulder.“We’re here for you, too.”
She nodded.“I know.Today is not a day for sadness.It’s for joy.”She shook off the pain in her eyes and focused on the remaining graduates.
Her dad wasn’t doing well.He’d been failing for a while, but every time we talked, he was doing worse.The look on Christy’s face made me think he wasn’t going to make it another year.Maybe not even to the end of summer.
