Chapter 11
I left with Dad.
Not Mom.
Not Richard.
Not the fancy graduation dinner they had planned at a restaurant where I would have spent the whole night pretending my heart was not split open.
I got into Dad’s pickup still wearing my cap and gown.
The passenger seat had a towel over the torn fabric.
A small gift bag sat near the dashboard.
Dad looked embarrassed.
“I was going to give it to you later.”
I opened it.
Inside was a silver keychain shaped like a tiny compass.
And a handwritten note.
For wherever you go next. Call me when you get there.
I cried so hard I could barely breathe.
Dad pulled over before leaving the parking lot.
“Baby?”
“You lost everything and still bought me gifts.”
He looked confused.
“You’re my daughter.”
May you like
Like that explained everything.
Maybe it did.
