43 - Samantha
Surprisingly, I amreleased from the hospital the day before graduation. I’m tender where my stitches are but I have the doctor’s approval to walk with my classmates. Phillip was released a few days before me, but still spent a lot of time at the hospital eagerly awaiting my release.
So, here we are, at Harbine High School’s ceremony for our graduating class of 2014. We’re all dressed in caps and gowns and getting lined up to make our entrance. The guys are in black while the girls are in orange representing our school colors. I can hear our band begin to play “Pomp and Circumstance” and immediately I start to shake my hands. Phillip is behind me and sees my normal quirk kick in, so he places his hand in mine.
“Why are you nervous?” he whispers in my ear. It impresses me that he knows me so well.
“I don’t know,” I murmur over my shoulder.
“We made it.” He smiles and I squeeze his hand. It’s time to start walking to our seats. Miraculously, or maybe as a favor Phillip pulled somehow, we are seated next to each other.
We listen to the band play a few songs followed by a speech from our principal and Valedictorian. When the band members take their seats with the rest of the class, we must endure one more speech before they pass out our diplomas. We’re almost there. Phillip squeezes my hand again as his father takes the podium.
After declaring himself Harbine High School’s head football coach for his introduction, he continues, “I had my usual graduation speech ready and rehearsed but then something was brought to my attention.” I look over to Phillip, who meets my gaze with the same confusion I have. Clueless, he shrugs his shoulders. It isn’t in Coach’s nature to deviate from a plan. “We, school administrators and staff, attempt to guide the student body and students as individuals to strive for excellence. We try to mold you into academic achievers and prepare you for college along with the outside world. We try to help you foresee your goals and aspirations and lead you on the correct path to get there. To attain the future you want.” Coach pauses, taking a handkerchief from his pocket to blot his forehead. I can see his Adam’s apple bob in an effort to swallow. “I have to apologize because it is in this area that my shortcomings are unforgiveable.” Phillip’s expression slowly molds into shock. Coach never apologizes.
“There are two classmates sitting amongst you today that have taught me a valuable lesson. It pains me to think how they were very close to missing graduation.” Coach begins to get choked up the same time I realize he’s speaking of Phillip and me. He clears his throat to continue.
“You see, I was blinded by my own ambitions. I shaped this young man’s future to suit what I wanted. I ignored the fact that he had his own opinions, his own dreams. I steered his course the way I wanted to see it go. And instead, I drove him away. He followed my course, but despite it all, he made a life changing decision.”
Coach tears up, dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief. Phillip squeezes my hand, and it appears he’s holding his breath. He is trying not to get emotional like he did in the cemetery when we visited Chase’s gravesite. Coach continues.
“I cleared this with family members first and was given approval to discuss this today. About ten days ago, Harbine High School’s all-American quarterback had a full ride scholarship to almost any college of his choice. That was my molding, my doing, my path. But at the last minute, he chose a different path. He chose to give life.” He pauses briefly to look down at his son, then back up to the crowd he’s addressing. Whispers are circulating and students are looking around at each other. “You see, my son, Phillip Ward, donated a kidney to his girlfriend, Samantha Stone. You didn’t know it, but for the last few years, she has been fighting a kidney disease. Her disease was mild at first and over time began to progress. I think some of you will remember that she collapsed here at school during cap and gown measurements about two weeks ago. She collapsed because her kidneys had shut down and my son acted quickly to get her to the hospital.
“Through some kind of miracle, Phillip tested to be a match and chose to donate a kidney to Samantha who was in a precarious situation. Anyone who has seen a football game can probably figure out you can’t play contact sports if you only have one kidney. But that doesn’t matter because I am proud of my son.” Coach wipes first his cheek then his nose and stuffs the handkerchief back into his pocket. “I haven’t said that enough.” He makes eye contact with Phillip, taking a second to try to compose himself. Several parents and faculty members are now crying. Phillip looks at me briefly. When he winks, a single tear falls down his cheek.
“My son chose to sacrifice his future and to offer the chance of life to another human being. For you parents out there today, I plead with you to listen to your kids. Help be their compass. Guide them, but please don’t steer them down the path of your desires. Lead them where they want to go. I’m only sorry it took my son risking his life for another before I could understand this valuable advice.
“As we are about to pass out diplomas, I know you’re all waiting for that, I want to announce that Phillip and Samantha are both doing well and are here with us today.” Coach points us out in the crowd, and everyone claps and cheers. Phillip leans over and kisses my cheek. We’re both blushing but I’m happy to hear Coach’s final words, again. “Phillip, I’m proud of you.” With that, he leaves the podium.
When things calm down, we are finally able to walk across the stage, shake hands and accept our diplomas. It’s a good feeling. The shower of caps that are launched into the air is the final ceremonial act before being dismissed as graduates. I can’t believe it. We made it. I made it.
Phillip wraps his arms around me gently, being mindful of the tenderness we both have from our surgeries. He knows that only a few short weeks ago, I felt so terrible that I doubted making it to graduation. We are both elated to be standing here today.
“I love you, Wallflower.” He kisses me on my forehead, and I nestle in just beneath his chin.
“I love you, too. We should probably go find your folks and Roxy.” I am so happy for Phillip. His dad said such nice things and I hope the good mood lasts, for Phillip’s sake. I’m not sure how I’ll feel talking to him, but I know I can at least tolerate him better now.
The chaos of everyone around us is wild. Family and friends gather everywhere waiting for their graduate to find them. There are flower bouquets and balloons being handed out and camera flashes all around. It’s difficult to navigate through the confusion but we finally find who we’re seeking.
Roxy, being more outgoing than Phillip’s mom, is the first to greet us both. She’s all smiles and hugs and Phillip is right at home with all the attention. Cynthia and Knox soon find us and when Coach finishes up with after-ceremony tasks, he joins us as well. He and Phillip shake hands. I think it’s the macho guy thing to do, but then Coach does something else surprising. He pulls Phillip’s hand mid-shake, yanking him over for a hug. I can’t describe the expression on Phillip’s face, but I surmise it to read forgiveness and homecoming. It’s a blissful thing to see, the beginning of them working things out.
But then another strange thing occurs. Coach turns to me.
“Can I speak to you a moment?” His eyes plea forgiveness so I grant him my attention. We step off to the side leaving Phillip with the others. Knox had to go take pictures with his family. “I wanted to speak with you privately, Samantha.”
“I gathered that.”
“I want to ask your forgiveness for how I spoke to you before prom. I was out of line.”
“I understand. It’s ok.” I don’t know what else to say.
“No, it wasn’t ok. I’ve been resentful for the past eighteen years about things that I should not have been. I had a promising football career planned but my girlfriend and I were careless during our senior year, and she got pregnant. That’s when I did the right thing and married Phillip’s mom. Nine months later we had Chase and I ended up coaching football instead of playing. Like I said in my speech earlier, I was driven to give my son the future I didn’t end up with, but then you entered Phillip’s life and things began to change. I saw prom coming and remembered what happened to me and I felt threatened. It wasn’t right how I treated you. How I spoke to you is unforgiveable. I thought I should officially explain myself. Please forgive me. My son is blessed to have you in his life.”
Now that’s an apology.
“Thanks. I’m extremely fortunate to have Phillip in mine.”
We smile mutually at one another then rejoin the others who are now talking to someone I don’t recognize. I give Phillip a wink, letting him know everything is as it should be and listen to our introductions.
“Dad, this is Mr. Clemmons from Alabama State College. He says he wants to discuss something but wanted you present first.” They shake hands.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Clemmons. I know we’ve spoken on the phone.”
“Yes, well I was sent to come meet your son Phillip since we hadn’t been able to get together properly.” We’re all watching the exchange of pleasantries, wondering how long it’ll go on before we explain why Phillip won’t be playing football anymore. I’m sure if he was here listening during the whole ceremony or not.
Coach speaks up quickly, “Mr. Clemmons, I apologize if we’ve wasted your visit, but Phillip won’t be seeking a football scholarship anymore. He—”
“I caught your speech during the ceremony. Which is why I made a few phone calls and if you’ll indulge me a moment, I would still like to present an offer.”
“But he can’t play,” Coach says protectively. His eyebrows knit together with confusion.
“We know. For his act of selflessness, the Alabama State College board of directors would like to extend a full scholarship to both Phillip and Samantha. We would be honored if they attended our school.” Mr. Clemmons looks proudly to Phillip and me as he makes this offer. I can tell that today he definitely likes his job. Phillip’s mom and Roxy are beyond excited. Cynthia left to meet up with Knox, and Coach is speechless.
Shock brightens my face as well as Phillip’s when he smiles his most accomplished smile. His gorgeous brown eyes sparkle.
“What do you think? It’s not the College of your Internet,” he whispers in my ear.
His arms are around me when I look up into his eyes. “I think we should consider it, don’t you?”
“I go where you go,” he winks.
After all we’ve been through, I couldn’t have asked for a better person to have at my side. Choosing between what he thought would be right and what his father wanted was a huge obstacle for Phillip. But in the end, he made a good decision. He saved his future. I just happened to be a bystander who gained from his decision since he saved my life too. Literally. No greater gift exists except love and Phillip gives me that in abundance. Choosing to give me life, freed him of an obligation to fulfill his father’s dream. It replaced that dream with understanding, acceptance, and the willingness to listen to others. Coach grew into a better person having learned from Phillip’s ability to love someone more than himself.
The college scholarships are an added bonus I am sure we’ll consider and most likely accept. We’re gracious and were genuinely not expecting anyone to make an offer like that. However, it’s a nice finish to our graduation day. It’s true how people say that a door never closes without another one being opened. Opportunities are all around us if you do the right things and pay attention.
Later that evening, Phillip and I are lounging on my couch. We’re still supposed to be taking it easy. He’s twirling my hair while we watch one of our favorite movies. I look up at him and notice he isn’t paying attention to the television at all. He’s staring down at me smiling, deep in thought.
“What is it?”
He obviously seems blissful and content. “I was just thinking about us.”
“Is that all?” I mean, I smile when I think about us too, but there just seems to be more behind his eyes.
“I was thinking that we actually get our happily ever after.” One of his eyebrows is raised tall above the other. His dimples are tugging at a broad smile as he talks.
I sit up to be closer to him. “You are my prince charming.”
He leans in, placing his hands on either side of my face. “I love you, Wallflower.”
“What else could a girl ask for?” Then he kisses me with more passion than I knew he was capable of.
The End