After nearly collapsing on stage from the combination of stage fright and natural nervousness, I found my way back to my seat, allowing my heart beat to get back at its regular rate.
My mom laid a hand on my arm, flashing me a warm smile. Warmer than I'd seen in a long time. "You did, Rebecca. I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks, mom. It really means a lot to hear that from you."
With my mom being a lawyer, her occupation kept her away from home a majority of the time. It was the biggest reason why I was an only child. Growing up, I always wanted a little brother or sister, but my pleas feel on deaf ears. Yet, as I look into my mom's eyes, regardless of how absent she'd been from my life, I knew that she meant every word that she said.
A sudden shot of pain ran from my heel up to the back of my calf. My body's way of telling me to take these awful heels off. Gingerly slipping them from my feet, I rubbed each heel for what seemed like forever and a day until my dad cleared his throat.
"What do you want to do when this is over?"
I mulled the idea for only a moment. "Visiting the podiatrist would be a good start."
Dad flashed me a warm smile, and wrapped me in a hug. He kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Congratulations, sweetie. You've earned it."
"Thank you, daddy. I'm happy that you were able to make it."
"You didn't think I'd miss my only child's college graduation, did you?"
It would have been easy to say yes if he hadn't missed every other milestone in my life, but now wasn't the time to cry over spilled milk. I was just happy that both of my busy as heck parents were here. And civil to each other.
"Of course not. I didn't doubt you for one second."
Now that I was back in a comfortable pair of sneakers and jeans, I tossed my graduation outfit in the backseat of my dad's truck, hoping to never have to wear a pair of heels again. My parents were already sitting in the front seat as I was getting ready to hop in the back.
"Rebecca! Wait up!"
I stopped as I was halfway inside. Sharon Moss was running towards me, her red hair flowing like a fireball on a crusade.
"You're just going to leave like that?" she said, trying to catch her breath. "I thought you said you were coming to the diner with the rest of us after graduation. For old times sake."
Sharon was my best friend all throughout college, but lately, she started hanging out with the wrong crowd. A crowd that I wanted no part of. I wasn't into drinking and smoking pot, but she fell into that with her new friends. It showed in her grades, but despite that, I couldn't leave her behind. At least not academically.
"I'm sorry, Sharon. I'm pretty drained. I just like to go home and relax."
She frowned as she stared into my eyes. She knew me well enough to know when I was giving her the okie doke. "Okay. I'll see you around, then."
One thing I learned that day was to never forget who your friends are. Apparently, Sharon didn't get that same memo.