One arm through mine.
One through Arthur’s.
“Dad…”
She looked toward him.
“This is Uncle Arthur.”
Arthur laughed through tears.
Sophie wiped her face.
“Walk me.”
I looked at her.
“Both of you.”
The principal nodded.
So that was how Sophie crossed the graduation field.
Not with the father she rejected.
With the father who raised her—
and the uncle she had brought home.
The three of us walked together.
And when we did—
the entire stadium stood.
AFTER THE CEREMONY
Sophie found me beneath the bleachers.
Her cap was crooked.
Mascara had run beneath her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at her.
“I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“That you’d say no.”
She swallowed.
“Did I hurt you?”
I thought about lying.
Then didn’t.
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled again.
“You walking past me hurt.”
“I’m sorry.”
I put my hands on her shoulders.
“But you also brought me someone I didn’t know I was missing.”
