I scan the audience desperately
hoping to see my parents’ faces. I feel sick to my stomach at the fact they’re
not here.
“Meredith
Lyons. Graduating with a 4.0 and full honors.” I walk across the stage and
receive my diploma from the principal. In a flash, I am officially a high
school graduate. As I am leaving the stage I finally catch sight of my sister
Lucy clapping wildly, a glowing smile on her face. My heart drops at the sight
of the empty chairs beside her.
They aren’t here.
I bite my lip and close my eyes, fighting back
the tears. I need them here, but I
feel sick imagining what would keep them from being here. I take a deep breath
and plop down on my chair. Sherry Matthews flashes me a glance, brows furrowed
as she takes the seat beside me. I don’t want her pity. I saw her throw up on
the playground in first grade, went with my Mom to take her and flowers when
her grandfather passed away in middle school.
I give her
a smile, and attempt to shove the disappointment away. I hang my head, I know I
shouldn’t be this negative in the first place; it’s not like anything can be
done to change things. Sherry is just trying to acknowledge my pain. I should
be grateful that Lucy is here for me, even when my parents can’t be. I take
another breath to calm the tempest of emotions washing over me. Instead, I
focus on watching my classmates taking their turns walking across the stage.
