She laughed as she hugged me. “I know you better than you think,” she said as she grinned at me. “You mentioned graduating this semester so I looked up the date. I knew you wouldn’t miss walking.”
“You’re right, but I really don’t know why I’m here. This is stupid. I don’t even know anyone here and I don’t have anyone here either. Well, I didn’t until you came.”
“You should be happy Deborah. You’re finally graduating! You should walk, be proud! You’ll never get another chance to do this.”
“I know, that’s the only reason I’m here. I don’t want to look back and regret the things I didn’t do. There have been so many things in my life… I almost didn’t finish school, but I knew I’d regret that too. Before my grandma died, she said life was too short to regret the things you didn’t do. She had so many regrets. She made me promise I’d follow my heart and never regret anything.”
“She sounds like she was a wise, wonderful woman.”
“She was something else, that’s for sure,” I said laughing as I remembered her spunkiness. “I miss her. You know, she raised me. I couldn’t ask for a better life growing up even though we had no money. Speaking of money, where’s Mr. Billionaire?”
“He’ll be here later to pick up the baby for his nap. Then you and I are going to Joyeux. Joshua feels awful about not calling you and demanded I bring you by his shop so he could finally meet you in person.”
“That sounds great!”
“Graduates,” a woman’s voice called out over the crowd. “Please line up. Procession will begin shortly.”
“I’ll meet you back here when it’s over,” Ashley said. “Go line up! Make your grandma even prouder than I’m sure she is.”
Ashley gave me a big hug, careful to not disturb Jacob who was sleeping. Smiling sheepishly at her I felt tears fill my eyes and quickly blinked trying to stop them from falling. It was useless though so I blotted the corners of my eyes with my fingertips trying to save my makeup.
“Dammit Ash, you made me cry! I’ll look like a raccoon accepting my diploma,” I joked, hoping to make my tears stop. “Please, go so you can get a seat. I’d feel awful if you had to stand in this heat the entire time.”
As Ashley left, I found my spot in line with the other H’s. Looking around at my fellow graduates, I straightened my honors sash and looked up through the tall trees at the cloudless sky.
This is for you Grandma, I thought. I really hope you’re up there watching. I looked down at the ground. Or watching from down there where you always said you’d be.
As I laughed to myself, Pomp and Circumstance played and the long procession walked under the famed wrought iron arch of the university and towards the stage set up in the grassy campus plaza. I continued to think about my grandma as I walked, remembering her wicked sense of humor and all the things she taught me about life.
As I sat on a wooden folding chair surrounded by a sea full of strangers, the heat of the black graduation cap and gown started to get to me. What I wouldn’t do for a breeze or even a little rain. I knew I should’ve stayed home.
Suddenly the bright sun slipped behind a small dark cloud and it began to rain. Some people ran for cover. Most of the graduates stayed in their seats, grateful for the break in the heat. I laughed and looked back up at the sky. Ah-ha! I knew you’d be up there! Thanks Grandma.
Chapter Two
Deborah
Shortly after receiving my diploma, the steady drizzle became a downpour. I spotted Ashley near the walkway just beyond the graduation arch, kissing Jacob on the forehead as she handed him to a smiling Xander who held an umbrella.
Xander was the perfect handsome complement to Ashley. Together they looked like they stepped out of a magazine. With his perfectly trimmed beard and hair a little on the longer side, I could see why Ashley fell for him. And to watch how he looked at her, you could see the intense love in his eyes. In both their eyes really.
I waved to them as I headed towards my car. They looked so happy. I couldn’t help it, for a brief second I was jealous. It wasn’t that I wanted a family, or even a husband. I didn’t even want to be bothered with a boyfriend right now. The last thing I needed was that kind of distraction. Its just sometimes since Grandma died I felt really alone.
“That was a beautiful ceremony, Deb,” Ashley said once she caught up with me.
“Yeah I guess it wasn’t that bad. Thankfully the rain made them cut it short.”
“We can take my car. It’s in the lot across the street, are you there too?”