17 year old Josephine Peabody was getting ready for her high school graduation. Her hair was in an updo and curled, and she was in a black, long-sleeved dress that went just below her knees. She looked at herself in the mirror, fussing about every detail.
There was a knock at her door. "Come in." She already knew who it was.
Mr. Peabody entered her room, dressed in a suit with a blue bowtie. He looked at his daughter, who looked at him back. "You look beautiful, Josephine," the canine said. "I want you to know that I'm very proud of you. You have come so far since I first fostered you four years ago." Tears filled his brilliant green eyes.
"Thank you, Daddy. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this far. I wouldn't have made it to graduation or gotten accepted into art school. I love you." She stood up and hugged him.
The canine hugged her back. "I love you, too, Josephine. I can't take all the credit. I have helped you, but YOU were the one who achieved all this. Tonight is one of the most important nights of your life. Cherish it always."
"I will."
Joey looked at the clock. "We better get going. I have to be there early."
"I know. I came in to see if you were ready."
"Almost," she said. She walked to her jewelry box and got out the necklace with the star pendant her father gave her years ago when she went to her first dance. "Will you help me put it on?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied. As he put the necklace on Joey, he remarked, "I'm surprised you kept it."
The teenage girl smiled. "It's special to me. I'm ready to go now."
Mr. Peabody nodded, and the two left the penthouse to go to the high school.