Rose sighed wistfully as she removed the last picture from the inside of her locker door. It was a picture of the group of friends she had made that year. So much had changed in her life, good and bad. She had changed into a girl she could be proud of. She had a boy that she adored more than anything, and this last year of high school had been the best year she had ever had, despite the pain and heartache. But now it was all over and it was time to say goodbye to JFK High and her life as a teenager. Tomorrow night was graduation.
"Hard to believe huh?" Jack walked up behind her, his own bookbag filled with miscellanious belongings from his own locker. "It's all over. No more teachers. No more books. No more rushing from this class to the next one. No more making out in these hallowed halls..."
Rose rolled her eyes at the last one. "Instead there will be making out elsewhere."
"Well that goes without saying," Jack laughed. "But seriously. I am going to miss this place. I've been going here for three years. It's strange that it's all over."
"I've only gone here for one and I'm going to miss it. I know I still have NYU, but University is so different from high school…"
"Yeah. Even a the academy, there was a sense of...a higher level than high school. There is a sense of freedom that high school just doesn't have."
"At least we still have each other. That will never change," Rose smiled, dropping the picture into her purse and then closing the now empty locker. She looked around at the emptying hallway, mentally saying goodbye to all of it. "Goodbye, JFK High. Thank you."
"Thank you?"
Rose nodded. "Coming here kept me sane."
Jack just smiled, understanding. Getting away from Chippewa Falls had kept him from going over the edge as well. "Come on. Let's turn in these locks and get out of here. It's too nice of a day to spend inside this place when we're free to be elsewhere."
Rose kissed his cheek and followed him to the principal's office. She was indeed sad to say goodbye to the high school, but she was excited for what the future was to bring.
…
Rose returned to her house to find her mother waiting for her, an official looking envelope in her hand. Rose frowned, not knowing what to think of finding her mother like this or what the envelope could contain. Judging from how her mother was holding it, it seemed important.
"Mother?"
"This arrived for you today. It is from your father's estate," Ruth walked over and handed the envelope to Rose. "I think it has something to do with your inheritance. It wouldn't surprise me if you weren't getting anything after all. Typical William."
"Mother, please," Rose sighed. She was in a good mood. She didn't want to spoil it by getting in an argument with her mother. She took the envelope and opened and read the contents. She nodded, not surprised at the news. "It just says that it needs me to come down to the office on Monday. I need to sign some papers to access my trust fund now that I am graduating."
"Well that is good. You won't have to worry about tuition and room and board when you leave for New York."
Rose sighed and placed the letter back into the envelope, not saying anything. She would rather have her father alive and well and attending the graduation ceremony than his money, but her mother wouldn't understand. All she saw was money and what it could do to make life easier.
"I think I'll go over to Jack's for a little while," Rose turned to her mother. She needed someone to talk to. Someone that would understand, she knew that her mother wouldn't.
"You're always going over to that house. You are never here anymore," Ruth grumbled, crossing her arms. "It would be nice to see my daughter more before she leaves for that godforsaken city."
Rose paused and stared at her mother in disbelief. Ruth had never given any sign that she was bothered by Rose never being home. In fact, Rose had thought that she preferred it that way. "I didn't think that you cared."
"I am your mother. Of course I care. But if you must go, go. I am sure that boy can help you more than your own mother can."
Rose sighed again, feeling bad that she felt that she couldn't talk to her mother about this, but really, was she so surprised? After all, she was willing to send her away when she found out what Cal had done to her. Ruth Dewitt Bukater had put her daughter's rapist above her own daughter so yeah. Rose didn't feel like she could go to her.
"Okay, if you must know...I don't care about coming into my inheritance. I rather have daddy here to go to my graduation and see me get my diploma and go on to law school than get his money. This money just reminds me that he's not here and he will never be here again," She waited for a response. On some level, she was hoping for a response that any normal mother would give her daughter. She wanted to be held and told that it was okay and that her father would be proud of her and to do something with the money that would honor her father and make him proud. She was a fool for wanting that from Ruth. She didn't even know if her mother was capable of that.
Ruth proved her right. She just gave a heavy sigh and shook her head. "I don't understand you, Rose. There are plenty of girls that would be grateful to come into this kind of money, especially when they have plans such as yours. Do you know how much harder this move to New York would be without that money? Even with the boy's help? How much harder for you to make it? For once your father has done the right thing and provided for you. Don't look this gift horse in the mouth."
She knew it. She knew that her mother wouldn't get it. Not like Jack would or any other person who had a heart. Yes her mother tried, but still...she wasn't trying enough.
"I'll be at Jack's if you need me," Rose sighed, turning away, trying not to be too disappointed. "I won't be out too late."
Ruth didn't say anything. She just watched her dejected daughter leave, still not understanding her. She probably never would.
…
Jack was sitting on the porch, sketching two little girls playing jump rope when Rose pulled up, looking not too happy. He quickly put his portfolio away and got to his feet as she approached. He frowned, seeing how her eyes shone with unshed tears.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, taking her hand as she came upon the porch.
"My father's estate sent me some papers to sign. I'm coming into my inheritance," Rose sniffed. "And my mother doesn't understand me."
"Okay. Care to share what one has to do with the other?"
"My mother was saying how I was never around and hardly talked to her. So I told her how I felt about the inheritance. That I rather daddy be at my graduation than get his money. That money only reminded me of the fact that he wouldn't be there...that he'll never attend any important event ever again...and all she could talk about was how she didn't understand me, that other girls would be grateful for the money. No comforting words or gestures. Just words saying how ungrateful I am."
Jack wrapped his arms around her and held her close, not saying anything as she buried her face against his shoulder and just let the tears flow.
"I miss him, Jack. I miss him so much. Is it awful that I rather have him instead of his money? Do you think me ungrateful?" She sobbed, clinging to him tightly as she struggled to get her emotions under control.
"Of course I don't. You're not ungrateful at all. You loved your dad very much. It's natural that you'd rather have him at the graduation than have the money he left you. I'd feel the same way. I'd take my parents over any amount of money left to me in their place. What you feel is normal, sweetie. And I'm so sorry that I can't give him to you. I am. If I could, I'd make it happen."
"Why is she like that, Jack? How can she not see how important he was to me? Why is money everything to her?"
"I don't know, Rosie. It's just the way some people are, I guess. Some people can't relate to human emotions such as grief and missing someone, especially when money is involved."
"She just made me so mad Jack. Mad and hurt. How can my own mother be so cold? I know that she hated him, but couldn't she at least be sorry that it hurts me when she is like that?"
Jack's heart broke for Rose. He wished that he could give her a normal mother. One that would hold her and tell her that everything would be alright. That her father would be there in spirit. But he couldn't do that. The only thing he could do was tell Rose those things himself and hope that it was enough.
"Listen to me, sweetie. Everything is going to be alright. You know what else? He is going to be there in spirit, right along with my parents and sister. They will probably sit together and cheer us both on. And they'll watch over us as we go to New York and make our dreams come true and your father can rest easy, knowing that he had done all he could to take care of his beautiful daughter, even if all he could do was make you financially secure. He did it out of love and the best thing you can do is honor him by using it to become the best lawyer ever. Make sure that the Caledon and Nathan Hockleys of the world will be brought to justice."
Rose pulled away and wiped away her tears, wondering how she had gotten so lucky to have Jack. He knew just what to say to her. He knew what would bring her comfort and calm. He truly was her angel. "You always know how to take care of me when I'm coming apart at the seams."
Jack just chuckled and helped in wiping away her tears. "I just know you, my sweet girl. I know why you're upset and know how to help you feel better. At least I hope I do."
"You do. In fact, you were the first person I was coming to when my mother acted like she was hurt that I didn't hang around at home anymore. I should have just kept going instead of hoping that she'd act like a mother for once."
"Well you won't have to deal with her or much longer. Graduation is tomorrow and then we leave. Then you can lean on me right away instead of even having to bother with that woman," Jack chuckled, kissing forehead and then taking her hand. "Dinner is almost ready. Want to join me and the fam?"
Rose smiled, feeling not only the warmth of Jack's love but the inclusion she felt from his Aunt and Uncle. "I'd love to."
Hand in hand, Jack and Rose went into the house, letting the sunset on another day. Their time in LA was quickly coming to an end and their new life together was just in sight.
…
Graduation night had finally arrived. The ceremony was taking place in the school auditorium. Rose and the girls of the graduating class were all gathered in the girls locker room, checking their makeup and hair. Rose had just buttoned up her white gown over the white sundress she had chosen when Helga, Julie, and Trudy approached.
"Can you believe it? We are finally here!" Helga happily squealed.
"Four years of waiting to get out of this hell hole and finally it's here," Julie mumbled applying a fresh coat of lipstick. "I didn't think I'd make it this far."
"Well you have. We all have. It's been a long journey, but we're finally here. Just one thing before we go out there tonight," Helga stood between Rose and Julie, grasping both of their hands in hers. "Let's promise to always be friends. No matter what. Let's never lose touch."
"Aw, Hels. It's impossible to lose touch. Jack and Fabri are best friends forever, which makes you a permanent fixture in the family. Rose is sure to marry Jack someday, which makes her a future in law, and I'm sure that Trudy will always have a connection to Rose somehow. We're always going to be in each other's lives," Julie shrugged, avoiding looking at Rose. Yes, she had accepted the redhead as a permanent part of her cousin's life, but she didn't want her to think that she liked her or anything.
Rose squeezed Helga's hand. "I promise. We'll always be best friends forever."
"Yeah," Trudy joined in. "We'll never lose touch. No matter how far apart we live."
Suddenly a horn blew, signaling for the graduates to take their seats.
"Okay, here we go! Time to blow this pop stand," Julie grinned, leading the way out of the dressing room.
…..
Rose sat a couple of rows behind Jack, thanks to alphabetical seating, but she clapped vigorously when his name was called and he walked up to claim his diploma. He looked great in his red cap and gown, and she had to giggle at the way his cap barely fit on top of his shaggy blond hair.
She blushed as she heard Jack call her name as she walked up to get her diploma. She looked out over at him and smiled, loving the pride that shone in his eyes. She waved at him and returned to her seat.
After the ceremony was over, the group of friends met in the center of the crowd and hugged and congratulated one another. It had been a long year full of tragedy and triumph and it all came down to this day. A day where they graduated from childhood to adulthood and now had their whole lives ahead of them.
Joining their fellow graduates in tossing their caps into the air, they were filled with a sense of freedom that would stay with them throughout the night. The senior class of JFK were free at last and ready to live life to the fullest.
"We did it Jack!" Rose squealed as he pulled her into a hug. She laughed joyously as someone took their picture just as Jack kissed the giggling Rose's cheek, making it the final picture of the yearbook.