Chapter 6 #2
The ceremony ended a few minutes later, and the kids celebrated their academic success by tossing pointy objects into the air and watching them fall back toward them.
Christy winced as the caps flew, and I knew she was thinking the same thing. And wondering if she’d be treating any of them for eye damage or other injuries later in the emergency department.
“Is Evie leaving with you or Hannah?” Oscar asked.
“Hannah. She spent last night with me. But I know she has a few parties she’s going to with Maddie and Katie, so I don’t know what the rest of the weekend is going to look like.”
“Are you going to meet up with her before you go?” Christy asked.
“Yeah. I want to tell her how proud I am of her.”
Oscar led the way to the aisle, following the crowd as they rushed the field to meet the graduates. The three of us moved together, searching for Evie and her friends.
Evie appeared in front of us all of a sudden. Her smile was still wide enough to show all her teeth.
“Congratulations!” I said, swooping her up in a hug that she leaned into.
“Thanks, Dad. I’m so happy it’s over.”
“You did great,” Christy said, hugging Evie.
“Thanks, Aunt Christy. I’m so happy you came. How’s Coach?”
Christy’s eyes clouded with sadness. “Not great. But he’s hoping to make it to your party, since it’s next door now.”
“Ooh, that’s great!” Evie exclaimed.
“Congrats, kid,” Oscar said, hugging Evie close and kissing her cheek.
“Thanks, Uncle Oscar.”
“Where are the good parties tonight?” Oscar asked, rubbing his hands together like he was waiting for the gossip and would actually tag along.
“I don’t think you could keep up with us,” Evie teased him.
Oscar laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders. “You know me too well. Be careful, okay? You can always call me if you need anything and don’t want to call your parents.”
“I know,” Evie said, smiling at Oscar.
“I don’t think that’s an appropriate thing to say to a child,” Hannah admonished, appearing behind us without anyone noticing.
Oscar grinned at her, tilting his head in a silent fuck you. “It’s a good thing I don’t care what you have to say, Hannah.”
I rolled my lips in to stop from laughing at the look on Hannah’s face.
I thought it was great my daughter had people who would be there for her, no questions asked.
Yes, I hoped she knew I was one of those people, but if she ever couldn’t get in touch with me, I always knew Oscar and Christy would do anything for her.
Just like Christy and I were there for Oscar’s boys.
Hannah snarled at Oscar, then slid the same look to Christy before pasting on a smile and focusing on Evie. “You were the most beautiful one up there, darling.”
“We all looked the same, Mom,” Evie said with an eye roll and a grimace.
“Well, you stood out among the rest. So beautiful.” Hannah cupped Evie’s jaw and smiled at her, as though beauty was the only thing that mattered.
“Can we go?” Evie asked. “Maddie and Katie are going to pick me up, and we’re going to hit all the parties.”
“You’re not spending the evening with me?” Hannah asked, her tone full of accusation.
Evie’s eyes went wide. She swung her gaze to me for a second, then tilted her head at her mother. “Mom, I told you I was going to some parties after graduation. I’m spending tomorrow with you.”
Hannah’s lips pursed so tightly together they vanished. “I suppose that’ll have to do.”
Evie’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly, letting me know her mother’s barb hit. “Maybe you can stay with your mom a few more days,” I suggested. “Since you’re going to stay at my house the next two weekends for the holiday and then your party, you can stay with Mom more nights during the week.”
Evie smiled at me gratefully, then looked at her mother. “What do you think, Mom?”
“I’m very busy, but that would be fine. I would like to see you.”
“I’d like that, too, Mom.”
“Good.”
“Are we ready? I have a call in twenty minutes,” Brian said quietly, gripping Hannah’s elbow as he spoke.
Hannah nodded. “Yes, we can go.” She ignored Oscar and Christy and stepped forward to hug me. “I’ll be in touch to make sure everything is ready for the party.”
“I’m working normal hours through the summer, so if you reach out during the day, remember that.”
Her lips pressed together again. God forbid I had a job. “Fine. I’ll handle everything, as always.”
I swallowed the retort on my lips. If I’d had it my way, the party would not have been the production she insisted on, but I didn’t get to plan the party. Just host it.
“You’re so good at micromanaging everyone, Hannah. It sounds like everything will go smoothly,” Oscar said.
Hannah glared at him, then lifted her cheek for me to kiss it.
I obliged.
She turned and followed an already retreating Brian toward the parking lot.
Evie hugged Christy, Oscar, and me, then chased after her mother.
“What in the hell did you ever see in her?” Oscar asked.
“What she wanted me to see,” I told him, knowing it was the truth. “But I can’t regret marrying her because then I wouldn’t have Evie.”
“She’s the only good thing about your marriage,” Christy said.
I slung my arm around her shoulders, then hooked Oscar with my other arm. “So, are you two taking pity on a lonely dad with a new graduate and hanging out with me today?”
They both made empty excuses, then laughed.
“That was the plan,” Oscar said.
“Want to take the boat out?” Christy asked.
“Sounds like the perfect day to me,” I answered, knowing I’d survive Evie leaving because I had the two best friends in the world.