7
Two years later...
"Lisa Calaway!"
Everybody clapped as Lisa walked across the stage and took her dimploma. She looked into the crowd. Standing in the first row was her mom, Diane, clutching her newborn brother Wayne, and her step dad, Mark Calway, both of them grinning broadly.
Things had changed over a course of two years.
Diane and Mark became romantically involved with each other. Mark had never felt anyway about a woman the way he felt about Diane. She was the anodyne to all of his pain and when he was with her, he felt at peace with the world. He felt like the luckiest man on Earth.
A year later, the two married each other. It was a small wedding with family and a few friends. He also legally adopted Lisa as his own.
The new Calaway family relocated to Glen Cove, New York where Calaway started up his own business, a large security firm. Most of his employers were military men and women. He was raking in the money.
Lisa excelled in all of her classes. She received an acceptance letter from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, one of the best medical schools in the state. She was graduating high school. Mark and Diane couldn't have been any more proud of her.
After the valedictorian speech, Lisa walked off the stage and walked to her beaming was wiping tears of joy from her eyes.
"Aww, Mom, don't cry," Lisa said.
"You know how I get," Diane said. "I'm glad this day has finally come."
"We're happy for you, sweetie," Mark said.
"Thanks, Daddy," said Lisa, beaming. "Also, thanks for everything. For you and Mom pushing me to do great with my studies and pushing me to work hard. It's all paying off. I'm heading off to one of the finest medical schools in New York. And I owe it all to you guys."
"It's no problem," Diane said. "Me and Mark have a surprise for you honey,"
"What?" Lisa asked. "Tell me?"
"You've worked hard for this day." Mark said, "and to reward you, I booked you and you friends a trip to Europe."
"Oh my God, really?" Lisa asked. "When do I start packing?"
"Next week," Mark said. "But the trip is only part of the surprise."
He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a car key.
"You," he said, "are the new owner of a brand spanking new Lexus ES300."
Lisa shrieked as she hugged Mark and Diane.
"Thank you guys so much!" she said.
"You're welcome dear," said Diane. "You deserve it."
"And now I don't have to worry about you crashing my Wildcat." Mark said.
The three of them laughed as they headed to the Suburban.
"I'm sure going to miss you when you head off to college," Diane said. "It won't be the same without you."
"But Mom, Daddy and the baby will keep you busy," Lisa said.
"That's the problem," Diane said. "I'm the only female in the house now. Mark when we get home, we're going to work on a girl."
They all laughed.
"We're going out for dinner tonight, Lisa," Mark said. "Since you're the grad girl, you get to pick up the restaurant and bring your friends."
"How about Bridge Cafe?" Lisa asked.
"You got it, sweetheart," Mark said.
"I love you guys so much," Lisa said.
Mark turned his head so they wouldn't see them blush. He was loving being a husband and a father. If he would have never stepped foot in Nevada, he probably wouldn't have had them right now. He had Nick to thank for that. Most importantly, he had God to thank.
The End