Epilogue
Sarah looked nervously around the auditorium. She saw an ocean of cap and gowns followed by teary eyes and smiles. She turned her attention back the stage where the Dean of Students was giving her speech. Sarah watched as the Dean called for the Salutatorian. A slim African-American woman named Shondra Smith, stood amid a deafening roar of applauds, and made her way to the stage. She gave a ten-minute speech about grasping the future with both hands and not letting go.
When Shondra finished her speech, she called for the Valedictorian to come forward to give her speech. Sarah watched as a small woman stood, and made her way to the stage. The woman stood at the podium, she looked out over the crowd.
"Four years ago a thousand of us started a journey," The woman started. She made her speech short, sweet and to the point wishing the rest of her classmates the best of luck. Finishing it in under six minutes. When she finished the Dean of Students shook hands with her and sent her back to her seat. The dean began her call of students, handing out their diplomas.
It took a few minutes before Sarah's name was called out. When she stood and walked towards the stage, there a few claps from the student body, and a few from the audience. As she accepted the rolled piece of paper she waved to the audience and a few camera flashes went off.
It took another ten minutes for the rest of the student body to be called. They sat through another two speeches about making the future brighter before the student body threw their caps into the air and screamed for joy.
Sarah made her way to the banquet hall where she found Gabriella and Mary sitting at a private table with gilded name place settings that had two open spaces. She embraced the two crying women, blocking her view of the two paper tags. After a few foster homes, Sarah had found that living at Martha's Home had been best for her. She had a family that loved her, she was well cared for, and she and the other girls never wanted for anything thanks to Bruce Wayne.
"Congratulations Sarah." A strong women's voice said from behind. She turned and saw Diana dressed in a black knee-length cocktail dress, with a dark shawl around her bare arms. Standing next to her, holding her hand was a very dapper Bruce Wayne dressed in a dark stylish suit. Her smile broadened and she hugged Diana. Sarah then hugged Bruce.
"Mr. Wayne it's so nice to see you again."
"Graduating from Gotham University in only two years, after finishing high school early is very impressive." Bruce said returning the hug. "Any thoughts of the future?"
"Not yet Mr. Wayne."
"Good, stop by Wayne Enterprises in about a week, speak with Bernice in Personnel, give her this card." He said pulling a card from his inner coat pocket. She looked at the card, which only said "Bruce Wayne, CEO Wayne Enterprises".
"Thank you Mr. Wayne." Sarah said giving him another hug. He was all too happy to return it. A couple of giggling girls in graduation gowns grabbed Sarah and dragged her towards the dance floor. Sarah grabbed Mary and Gabriella along with her.
Diana managed to escape the grabbing, took Bruce's hand in her own, and guided him to their places at the table. "She seems to be adjusting well." Bruce said intertwining his fingers in Diana's.
"You spent a lot of money on Martha's home making it safer for her and the other girls." Diana said wrapping her free arm around Bruce's wide shoulder. "She's made tremendous strides in her counseling and now you've offered her a job." Bruce shrugged with a smirk watching the girls on the dance floor having a great time. "You are a good man Bruce Wayne, and that's one of the many reasons I love you."