The Truth Part 6

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         The last three months have been an absolute train wreck filled with lots of meltdowns and drama. Ever since I found out his secrets, I seemed to be running into Sophia more often at school. A lot of times I would be late to my classes because I would take a different way just to avoid her.
          My whole family now knows everything. I didn't tell them right away though because I didn't have the strength to and they understood. I didn't want to see the horrified and broken looks on their faces. I didn't want to be the one to deliver the news, but I had to. Finally once I was ready, I told them everything. Their expressions are images that will forever be burned into my brain. They had no idea what to say or how to react. Everyone just sat there uncomfortably, trying to take everything in. However, telling Paige was the worst because we finally explained everything to her. My mom and I sat her down separately from everyone else and told her the whole entire story, obviously simplified, starting from why he left that horrific Christmas Day. She was so...damaged. My heart broke for her, her little ten year old mind had this image for so long of her daddy coming home one day, and now she knows there's no chance he's ever coming back.
          I told her, "It's hard right now, I know. It's hard for all of us, but were all going through this together, okay? You can always come talk to any one in this family about it. We are all here to stay and that is a promise."

          She's starting to get a little better and she's talking more. After we told her, she barely spoke a word to anybody, even in school, for the past two months. At the beginning of June her teacher told mom that she was starting to talk a little bit more in school, but still nothing at home.
          Today as I sat at my vanity curling my hair, she walked in our room and poked my leg.
          "Are you sad that fader won't be here today?" she asked me.

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           I smiled at her. "No. I'm not sad because I have all of you guys, the best family in the world. All of you will be sitting in the audience cheering me on and for me, that's enough. More than enough."
          "Is everything going to be okay?"
          "Yes. Paige don't worry about any of this. It's all a mess which you've probably already figured out by now, but you have nothing to worry about. We're going to all go out to eat tonight and have a great night and school's over! You're officially on summer break! Let's start summer off having fun!"
          For the first time since April, she smiled. Not a fake and weak smile, a real genuine one that lit up her whole face. I can't even express how much I've missed that look. I squeezed her adorable little cheeks and kissed her forehead. She left and I finished doing my hair, put on my dress, then my gown over it.
           I walked down the stairs into the living room where my whole family was, waiting to take pictures.
          "Oh my god!" my mom exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "My baby girl is graduating!"
          "Mom relax we're not even at the school yet," I laughed while she pulled me into a hug.
          We took pictures outside and they loaded into two cars while I got in mine and drove over to school.
          I found my group of friends in the court yard. We took tons of pictures and then walked into the auditorium to take some more pictures. After a half hour crowded in the burning hot auditorium, everyone filed into two straight lines alphabetically by last name. We started the long walk up to the football field and my heart began to race. This was it, my last moments as a senior. This year has been absolute hell, but I would not change any of it even if I had the chance. Although many hearts broke, we are stronger now. We can finally move on after six years and it feels like we are finally...free, like a huge weight has just been lifted off of our shoulders.

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-sad
-phenomenon-of-watching-friends-graduate

           My best friend was right beside me, so I took her hand. She squeezed it and smiled, but kept her eyes looking straight. This was probably one of our last moments together for a while. She was going away to Virginia, while I refused to leave home, especially now. Our eyes had already filled with tears and the ceremony hadn't even started. No wonder my mom was a mess. As happy as we were to be moving on with our lives, this was a bitter sweet day. We would be starting the rest of our life the minute we left this school tonight. It was a scary, yet thrilling thought. Everything was going to change. Although the work and tests have been annoying, I will always remember the people, even the annoying ones. They made my high school years so memorable. Going to school and not seeing the people I have known for so long is going to be so different. I knew good things would come, but it's going to be hard for anything to top my experience here.
          Once the graduates took their seats, the speeches started and the tears were officially coming. Our class president was reflecting back on our four years here which cracked the whole class up. Then teachers and staff began saying the usual graduation speech.
          "I remember when you guys came into high school as scared little freshman, but now look at you. Such mature and fine ladies and gentleman."
          I looked over at the bleachers and found him before I saw anyone else. He was with his wife and kids, supporting Sophia. A few months ago I would have lost it at the sight of him, but things have changed. Things are better now, not perfect but better. It doesn't hurt as much seeing him moving on, because I slowly am too.
          Speeches finished and names started to be called. Waiting in line was the worst part. There's this huge build up and suspense while you anxiously wait for your name to be called. Then you know you're the next one to be called and you're standing at the front of the line waiting and waiting looking out into the crowd of proud family and friends. Finally,
          "Mia Renee Keany."

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          I walked forward, shook my principal's hand struggling to hold back my tears. I looked up at the bleachers and found my family. "I love yous" were signed, kisses were blown, and waves were waved. Looking up at them in this particular moment reassured me that I did not need a dad. I had all of them, and they have all given me the best life possible. I realized that things are not always going to be easy, but I knew that real family will stay with you, for better or for worse. I told Paige that earlier without believing it, but now I strongly do. Maybe it's true that there's no love like a dad's, but I had enough love to easily make up for his absence. People say you only lie when you are afraid. Maybe he was afraid of us knowing or by some chance afraid of hurting us. One way or another, the truth came out and changed everything.