Chapter Thirty-Seven
Graduation day was hectic. Mia had missed every rehearsal for the ceremony, leaving her computer untouched all week with her brothers. When she received a call from the school asking if she wanted her diploma mailed, she was confused as she told them no, she thought they handed it to her during the ceremony.
“Oh, you’re coming?” the man on the phone sounded shocked. At that moment, Aurelio and Melvin took over the conversation, leaving Mia dumbstruck.
“Good news: yes, you’re walking,” Melvin said.
“Bad news: you have no idea how to walk,” Aurelio added, smirking. “According to that guy.” Mia laughed.
“I totally forgot we were supposed to practice! I can’t be the only one who didn’t go,” she said. Judging by the looks Aurelio and Melvin exchanged, it was clear she was.
“God,” she groaned, resting her head in her hands. “Oh well, too late.”
They got dressed and headed to the diner to pick up Flory. Aurelio hung back, saying he would ride his bike to the ceremony. When Mia realized the space in the car was low, Mikey offered to get a ride with Tony.
“Tony?” Mia had asked, her eyebrow raised. Mikey’s face reddened as he stood before her.
“Well, he said how much he would love to see you graduate.” Mikey shrugged. Mia felt shame creep into her face. Of course Tony would, he was one of her best friends.
“Oh I’m such an idiot.” She said shaking her head. “Of course Tony is more then welcome to come.”
“Oh, its not like that Bug.” Mikey said, shaking his head. “He understood there were only so many tickets. I just convinced him to come as my date.” A deep red bloomed on Mikey’s face as he said date.
“Ohh, Mikey!” Mia squealed. “I love it!” she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Mikey hugged her back and laughed softly. Mia released him and spun to Aurelio.
“Wait, how are you getting in?” Mia asked, remembering he didn’t have a ticket, and his name wasn’t on the list of guest.
“Don’t worry about it, beautiful,” he replied with a wink.
Flory was waiting for them, wearing a beautiful, simple yellow dress. Mia hugged her and kissed her cheek as she helped her into the car. Melvin dropped Mia off at the right entrance, and she handed him the tickets for the them.
“Please don’t let Aurelio do anything stupid,” she said as she walked away, earning a chuckle from Flory.
“She still doesn’t understand boys,” Flory teased.
Mia found the ceremony itself rather boring. She spent most of it scanning the crowd for her brothers and Aurelio. She clapped at the right moments, laughed at the dean’s jokes, and listened intently to the valedictorian’s speech. She caught herself gazing at the empty seat, the one Professor Soara should have been in. When the dean addressed the empty chair, she felt herself shedding a tear at the loss. He spoke quickly, highlighting the professor’s years of dedication and the strength she had shown in her last months. Mia let her tear fall, a smile on her lips as she promised to do good in the world, in honor of the women who had helped her along.
Finally, it was time to grab the diploma she had worked so hard for. As her name was called, she heard the unmistakable whoops and cheers from her boys— all four of them. She caught their faces as she climbed the steps, feeling the love radiate from them. Shaking hands with each person on the stage, her mind was with her brothers.
Turning to face the audience, she raised her diploma high, prompting more cheers, and then walked off the stage.
After the ceremony, she found her brothers, Mikey’s arm around Tony’s waist and Flory laughing with Melvin, mingling, drinks in hand. Flory pushed past the boys; arms wide open for a hug. Mia melted into her embrace, grateful for the woman who had cared for her all this time. She hugged each of her brothers, Matty crying as she did. Tony’s face was wet, a tear falling as she wiped it away. He gave her a big hug, whispering in her ear how proud he was of her.
Aurelio was last, planting a kiss on her lips before wrapping her in his arms. Her face ached from all the smiling. He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke softly to her.
“I’m so proud of you, Beautiful.” He gave her cheek a kiss. “I can’t wait to show you later just how much.” Mia felt his hand on her backside give a little squeeze, her own thighs clenching with promise.
They made their way to the free food, each of them happily piling their plates and finding a small table to sit at. As they settled down to eat, Aurelio’s phone rang. He glanced at it, frowning.
“I’ll be right back,” he said quickly, ducking out of the tent. Mia hesitated, unsure whether to follow. Flory reached over and slapped her arm.
“Go, girl,” Flory urged, and Mia nodded, rising to follow Aurelio.
She found him a few feet away, pacing and yelling into the phone.
“I don’t care! I’m out; it has nothing to do with me!” his voice was deep, threatening. Mia paused, unsure of how to approach him. She felt his anger radiating off his body.
“Use a different lackey. No, nothing you say—” He stopped, his expression dropping, something from the other end of the line giving him pause.
“How—” Aurelio moved away, Mia scrambling to keep up. She pushed into the room further, her hip hitting a table. She watched as a vase toppled over, crashing loudly. Aurelio spun, eyes locking with Mia’s. Mia saw something there she had never seen before; fear.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, eyes staying on hers. She watched as the fear faded from his features, replaced by harsh indifference.
Hanging up, his gaze shifted to the broken vase on the flor. Mia looked, petals and glass scattered between them.
“I’m sorry,” He whispered. Aurelio moved closer to her, his body brushing hers as he went to pass. Mia reached out for him, her hands grasping the suit he wore. He gave a slight pause, his hands fisted at his sides. She could feel him vibrating, his eyes staring ahead.
Mia pulled herself up, kissing him quickly, placing her hands around his middle. She felt him shift, his hands coming around her. He didn’t say a word as he pulled her hands off him, pushing past her.
“I’m sorry.” He said again, his back to her. Mia didn’t have a chance to respond as he disappeared, pushing out the way they had come in. Standing stock still, Mia felt a tear roll down her cheek as the roar of a motorcycle echoed in the distance, followed by an unsettling silence. She felt frozen, her legs as stiff as the Tin Man’s in the rain.
She felt a hand on her back, words drifting in as more tears fell. She registered the sound of Melvin’s voice, another set of hands as her feet began to move, following the path he had taken.
“Mia?!” Melvin asked, concern etching his features as she blinked away the tears.
“He’s gone,” she said, her eyes unfocused. “He’s just gone.”