Then she looked away.
I STARTED QUESTIONING EVERYTHING
Sophie and Arthur began walking.
Every step felt like something being taken from me.
I replayed eighteen years in my head.
Breakfasts.
Homework.
Doctor visits.
School projects.
Nightmares.
Christmas mornings.
Science fairs.
The time Sophie called from school crying and I left work without even changing my boots.
Had I failed her somehow?
Had I embarrassed her?
Had she secretly resented me?
What had Arthur done that I hadn’t?
I hated myself for thinking that.
But humiliation can make even love feel selfish for a moment.
I could feel the entire town around me.
Watching.
Whispering.
Wondering what kind of father gets passed over at his daughter’s graduation.
Then Arthur and Sophie reached the stage.
And instead of walking up—
Arthur stopped.
HE ASKED FOR THE MICROPHONE
Arthur turned toward the principal.
Held out one shaking hand.
The principal looked confused.
