Commencement

She bounded up the cracking steps and into the ancient building that had served as a constant reminder of the perfect, care-free life she could never have over the last four heartbreaking years. Cap in hand, she clutched the folds of her gown to avoid tripping in her slight heels and beamed at her best friend of thirteen roller coaster years. Anna had been the only constant in her social life, since most girls didn’t like sidling themselves with a “deviant.” Brushing past the elite beauties, athletic brawns, and quiet brains, she stepped into her place in the lineup and secured the black cap and patriotic tassel on her golden, flowing curls before the band took up the familiar processional. She strode confidently toward the majestic stage, despite her close proximity to the boy who couldn’t look her in the eyes for fear of seeing their shared and shattered past blazing out at him. Reaching her long-awaiting chair, she searched the crowd before taking her seat and tuning in to the weathered principal’s tired speech of dreams and memories of yester-years. As the speech neared its close, she felt the butterflies take flight in her turning stomach and the glands release rivers of sweat in her anxious palms.

“And now, it is my pleasure to announce this year’s valedictorian speaker, Mandy Jacobs!”

Floating on air, she made her way to the oak podium and shook the hand of the principal, whose gaze was filled with disapproval cloaked in a transparent congratulatory mask. No matter; she wasn’t about to let anyone tarnish her achievement against the odds that stacked against her a year ago. Adjusting the microphone to accommodate her short frame, her mind raced in reverse over the last year’s struggle to maintain her stellar academic record and defy the stereotype.  She’s still going places, as she’s about to outline in her long dreamed-of graduation speech, but now, it isn’t just for herself: it’s for her daughter.