My college graduation is finally here. I can’t describe the relief I feel that my hard work is over. I’m graduating two years earlier than my peers. Now, I need to find a district that will hire a twenty-year-old college graduate.
I gaze at the reflection in my full-length mirror. Alma took me shopping this week for a new dress. Of course, I protested claiming I wanted to just wear slacks and a blouse from my closet. Alma had none of that, insisting a big event requires a new dress. Ever the shopper, she dragged me to five stores before we found anything she loved. I’m not one to stand out, to wear daring or eye-catching attire that draws attention to myself. I didn’t like the dress when she tossed it over the changing room door at me. I reluctantly slipped it on and immediately knew we had found my dress.
The red dress resembles the famous Marilyn Monroe white halter dress. It’s snug to the waist and free-flowing from the hips to the knee. The crimson color is perfect for the holiday season and any special occasions the rest of the year. As graduation is inside and I’ll wear a gold gown over it, Alma claims I will only need a cardigan to wear after the ceremony at the reception. We found sexy red heels and a matching cardigan at the same store.
Alma wraps on my open bedroom door. “There’s mama,” she attempts to calm Liberty.
Alma’s daughters Taylor and Cameron along with Taylor’s two daughters, flew in last night to surprise me for my graduation. They claimed it is a known fact that sisters must attend a baby sister’s college graduation. I fear I might never get used to this large family atmosphere. Liberty has been going one-hundred miles an hour since she woke at seven this morning. She is in desperate need of a nap. I hope she falls asleep in the car and naps most of the ceremony. I’m hoping since the December graduation isn’t as long as the spring ceremony, she won’t need to leave the auditorium during the ceremony
“Why don’t you pull a t-shirt on before you hold her. We don’t want drool or spit-up to ruin such a beautiful dress.” Alma never ceases to amaze me with her knowledge on all things.
With t-shirt on, I pull Liberty toward my chest and shoulder. She places an open-mouth drool-soaked kiss upon my chin before resting her head on my shoulder. I ask Alma to grab my heels and sweater from my bed as we head downstairs to join the others. Taylor offers to drive her rented mini-van and we all pile inside. Liberty is asleep before the end of the block—I breathe a sigh of relief. I want my daughter at my graduation. We’ve been through so much this year and I want to be able to tell her stories of attending my graduation as she grows up. I’ve worried since she missed her nap at eleven this morning, she might cry, causing someone to leave the auditorium and miss my ceremony with her. I can’t seem to stop worrying.
Taylor looks to her daughters through the rearview mirror to the third-row seats. “Trenton, Cameron, and I all graduated from Mizzou.”
“Do we have to go to Missouri?” They ask apparently thinking it is not something they want to do.
Taylor informs them they are free to choose the college best for them. She’s just proud that I am following in my adopted-siblings’ footsteps. It warms my heart that Liberty and I are welcome in this family.
One graduate stands between me and my diploma. I am nervous to walk up the steps and across the stage in my heels. I wish I hadn’t let Alma insist I choose them over flats. At my turn I climb the four steps as my name is announced. I pose for my photo diploma in hand. I can hear raucous cheers from my family and church friends. A deep male voice catches my attention. I quirk my head while exiting the stage to hear better.
Hamilton is here? Hamilton is here! He told me he had meetings this weekend and heads to Athens on Monday. He lied. Crap! If he is with Alma’s family, he will see Liberty. My heartrate quickens. With her dark curls, brown eyes, and his smile there is no way he won’t find Liberty’s resemblance to him interesting. As I attempt not to fall down the steps to resume my seat, I chant ‘please don’t let him see Alma.’ This week is too important and too busy to add the baby-daddy discussion with Hamilton to it. My ears ring and my head throbs as the ceremony drones on.
After the ceremony, I frantically scan the crowd as I wait for my row to be dismissed. My heart pounds against my chest wall. My ears still ring and I’m sweating. Finally, in the distant hallway, I see Alma in our pre-determined spot. I notice Cameron holding a still sleeping Liberty in her arms. I quickly scan the area unable to see Hamilton with Alma’s family and my church friends. Perhaps I imagined his voice cheering for me earlier. A tap on my shoulder causes me to jump.
“Congratulations,” Hamilton murmurs from behind me. I nervously turn to face him. He wraps me in a tight embrace whispering in my ear. “I knew you would do it. A college grad at age twenty.” He slowly releases his hug, while keeping his hands on my forearms.
“Thank you,” I whisper. My voice sounds weak. I fear he’s seen Liberty with Alma. “I thought you had meetings this weekend.” I worry what his next words might be.
“I couldn’t ruin my surprise. You didn’t think your number one fan would skip your graduation, did you?”
I smile up at him while inside I tremble like a Chihuahua.
“I can’t stay long, I promised mom I’d be in Athens for dinner with pictures of you on your big day. She planned to attend with me, but she caught a terrible cold. She didn’t want to be coughing loudly annoying the other proud parents at the ceremony.” I can only nod at his words. Memphis planned to attend my graduation? My own mother didn’t attend my high school or college graduation.
“Can we ask someone to snap a picture of us before I head out?” He looks in the nearby crowd.
Alma approaches and offers to take the picture after Hamilton hugs her and asks the favor. He pulls me tight to his side. His hot body and hands spark life to all parts of me. I hope I smiled in the photos Alma took. I’m not really in control at the moment. Alma points out her family to Hamilton and he waves at all the girls. I am thankful Taylor and Cameron keep Liberty at a distance and only wave back.
Alma gives us some space as Hamilton pulls me tight. He leans down to my temple placing a kiss then whispering, “I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to see you at Latham’s wedding this weekend. I love you.” Another kiss is placed upon my temple before he pulls away waving before disappearing into the crowd.
I blink rapidly. Did that really happen, or did I just imagine Hamilton was here? My body is still hot where his hands and lips made contact. My blood hums through my veins. I’m grateful he attended but a few minutes are nowhere near long enough in his presence. I can’t prevent the wave of feelings that flood my system. Excitement, happiness, lust, love, anxiety, fear, and dread hit all at once. It’s more than I can take.
Alma slips a tissue into my hand before squeezing me tightly to her side. “You’ll be okay.” I nod. “Blot your eyes. The girls are anxiously waiting to see you.”
I dab tears from the corner of each eye with shaking hands. Alma hugs me and whispers he didn’t see Liberty, but it was a close call. She tells me this is not the time to dwell on it, we need to celebrate. Taylor and Cameron give me knowing smiles before joining Taylor’s daughters. The noise wakes Liberty and she immediately stretches her arms to me.
Alma and Taylor snap several photos of us all before asking a gentleman nearby to take a few of our entire group. I’m on autopilot. My mind on Hamilton, I pose and attempt to smile when prompted. Taylor offers to take everyone to CC’s City Broilers claiming she has a reservation. I am not in the mood to celebrate—Hamilton’s attendance zapped everything from me, but I still find the energy to pretend for my family.
This is my first visit to CC’s, I’ve heard Alma and many from church share about the divine meals they’ve enjoyed here. Cameron shares that their father insisted on dinner at CC’s for birthdays and graduations. It humbles me that they include me in yet another tradition. My eyes are the size of saucers when I notice the prices on the menu. Taylor leans my way whispering her husband insisted they treat me to dinner here in exchange for my sharing an experience at Wrigley and meeting Hamilton with them while in Chicago a year ago. I’m cognizant of the fact that I paid nothing at Wrigley when I arranged to meet Hamilton. Taylor and her husband paid for the tickets and are now paying for this meal.
I order the lobster tail and petite filet with asparagus. On a trip to Kansas City once in high school, Adrian, Salem, Savannah, Bethany, and I splurged to eat at Red Lobster. We each ordered different items, so we could taste them all. Surprisingly I loved everything. This is definitely not a Red Lobster. I’m sure this meal will be among the best I’ve ever ordered. Taylor orders a bottle of wine for the table and sparkling water for her daughters. Before our meal arrives, they toast my graduation, upcoming job interview, and upcoming meetings in Dallas.