Chapter 1
My ex-mother's family tried to throw my poor father out of my graduation because his suit was old. When my uncle shoved him to the ground outside the auditorium, I ran out, slapped him, and took my dad’s hand in front of everyone.
I saw my father standing near the auditorium doors before the ceremony started.
His gray suit was too big at the shoulders.
His shoes were clean but cracked.
He held a small bouquet of grocery store flowers in both hands.
I almost cried when I saw him.
“Dad,” I whispered.
Before I could reach him, my mother’s brother, Uncle Richard, stepped in front of him.
“You can’t come in dressed like that.”
My father lowered his eyes.
“I’m here for Emma.”
My ex-mother’s family stood behind Richard like a wall.
My mother, Caroline, looked away.
Her new husband checked his watch.
Richard laughed.
“She has important guests inside. Don’t embarrass her.”
My father’s hands tightened around the flowers.
“I drove four hours.”
“You should have driven to a thrift store first.”
People near the entrance started staring.
I pushed through the crowd.
“Uncle Richard, stop.”
He turned and smiled like nothing was wrong.
“Sweetheart, we’re handling it.”
“No. You’re humiliating my father.”
My mother grabbed my arm.
“Emma, not today.”
I looked at her.
“Today is exactly why he should be here.”
Richard stepped closer to Dad.
“You lost the right to stand beside this family when you lost everything.”
My father whispered, “I never lost her.”
Richard’s face hardened.
Then he shoved him.
My father fell backward onto the concrete.
The flowers scattered across the ground.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then I ran.
“Dad!”
He tried to sit up, embarrassed more than hurt.
“I’m okay, baby.”
Something inside me broke.
I turned and slapped my uncle across the face.
The sound echoed outside the auditorium.
Everyone gasped.
Richard touched his cheek.
“You little brat.”
I stood in front of my father.
“Touch him again and I call security.”
My mother whispered, “Emma, you’re making a scene.”
I picked up the crushed flowers.
“No, Mom. You made one.”
Then I helped my father stand.
His hands were shaking.
The auditorium doors opened behind us.
The principal stepped out, holding the graduation program.
“Emma,” he said softly, “we were looking for your father.”
Richard frowned.
The principal handed Dad a sealed envelope.
“Your daughter requested that you be the parent who walks her across the stage.”
My mother went pale.
Then Dad opened the envelope.
Inside was a photo I had hidden in my graduation cap.
May you like
On the back, I had written one sentence.
“He was the only one who never left me.”
