only one event remained—Graduation Day.
Saddest day of my life up to that moment.
Our moms sat in the bleachers holding roses. I had a wrapped gift I felt he’d appreciate more.
“Congratulations Class of 2000!”
After the ceremony, I found him first over by the booth to turn in his cap and gown. We hugged, the pat-the-back type between friends. “You made it, amazingly,” I teased.
“Quiet, you. Pressie for me?” He reached for it and I held it behind my back.
“Yup. But pick up your diploma first. The moms are about to reach us.”
They gushed over him and he made them feel like the bouquets were the best thing ever.
Sometimes Mom forgot she’d only passed two kids out of her womb, not three.
He got his fancy diploma, then we started trying to get to the parking lot amid a thousand other people. Mrs. Lindsey had made a reservation at a really nice restaurant. We climbed in the back of the car. I placed his present on his lap so I could fasten my seatbelt.
“Can I open it now?”
“If you want to.”
He shredded the paper. “A notebook?”
“Look inside.”
“Ah, notation paper! You’re the best, Bethie.” He draped his arm across my shoulders and squeezed my arm.
I blushed again. “You’ll need it for all those hit songs.”
“Damn right.”
“Jacob,” Mrs. Lindsey scolded him.
“Sorry, Mum. Darn right.”
I saw her roll her eyes in the rearview mirror, and stifled a giggle.
“What’s next for you, Jacob?” Mom asked.
She just had to bring that up.
“Moving to London in two weeks to get used to it,” he said. He’d decided to pursue his music degree at one of the universities there.
“And find a job,” his mother added.
“Yes, Mum, and find a job. She’s not funding my summers, only my education.”
“Poor baby,” I teased to keep from crying.
Four years with an eight-hour time difference.
I’d been counting down the days since he told me his plans. Probably be counting the hours, too. I fantasized about one of those airport romance movie scenes where the boy and girl kiss at the last minute instead of parting forever.
But in this scenario, I’d have to do the kissing and I was too chicken. Ruining our friendship wasn’t worth satisfying my crush.
So, I toasted his graduation, helped him pack up what he could fly with, and said goodbye to him at the terminal with a smile.
‘Cause that’s what best friends did.