It felt like an eternity before they started calling names. The speeches before were moving in a cliched way. Nothing that really stood out. Nothing that these kids would carry on with them into their new journey. Since Zoe's last name was Cooper, they didn't have to wait too long for her name to be called. When Zoe did finally stand and walk towards the stage, Bette started doing the one thing she had promised herself she wouldn't; she started tearing up.
Her baby was no longer a baby. She was an adult, and now she would be going out into the adult world using her shiny new degree. Shelly had been pissed when she decided to go into the business management field. Zoe wanted to run her own real estate company eventually. Where that had come from, neither Bette nor Shelly knew. Of course, Bette was more supportive than Shelly was. Shelly had wanted Zoe to become a lawyer like herself. But Zoe was having none of that. Bette grinned at the memory of the night Zoe had told her mother that she was not going to be a damned lawyer. It had been explosive, and Bette had to stand between Zoe and Shelly at one point. She had never seen her wife so angry, but Zoe was stepping out of line, and Shelly didn't like when someone didn't conform. Try as she might, Zoe could not be tamed, and Bette fought for her to be able to be herself.
When it was finally time for her daughter to walk across the stage, Bette no longer had control over her tears. They rolled down her face like a rainstorm against a car windshield. There was no stopping them, and she didn't try to. All she wanted was the world for Zoe, and this would be a step in the right direction.
Zoe practically bounced up to the stage in her black graduation gown and tasseled hat. Even from a distance, she could tell that Zoe was grinning from ear to ear. Bette held up her phone, taking pictures, trying to be in the moment but also capture it.
"Here, let me. You enjoy the moment," Kerrie said quickly, taking the phone from her and snapping pictures.
Bette didn't respond. She stayed in the moment, watching Zoe shake the hand of the various staff members, and when she got to the platform's edge and started walking down the ramp, she looked up at where Bette was sitting and held up her diploma, doing a little jig. Bette laughed and cheered for her, electricity shooting through her body from excitement. It was such a beautiful moment.
"She looks so happy," beamed Clara, for once sounding proud and not cynical.
"She does. She's done so well," sobbed Bette, digging in her bag for a pack of tissues. She pulled a few out and handed them to Clara's waiting hand before getting her own. Atsome point, Kerrie's comforting arm had wrapped around her shoulder, and despite the heat in the crowded auditorium, she leaned in, trying to wipe her tears and snotty nose as ladylike as possible.
The rest of the graduation went on without a hitch. Bette fixed her makeup from crying, and her mother had turned back into her stoic self. Towards the end, they were all ready to leave.
"They couldn't make these seats a bit bigger? It's pinching the hell out of my hips," complained Bette in a low voice. She shifted in her seat, not finding a comfortable position.
Kerrie nodded in agreement. Stadium seats seemed to get smaller and smaller. She was uncomfortable, and she could only imagine how Kerrie felt being larger. "Yeah, I don't think they understand that real people sit in these things. Hopefully it won't be much longer. We're at the W's." She glanced at the graduation program in her hands and noted that there really weren't very many more students to go, and then they could get out of there. She had no idea where Shelly and the toddler were. She knew they were in there somewhere because she had seen Zoe waving across the other side of the auditorium. She was not looking forward to the lunch.
Thankfully, soon, they were able to wind down the end of the graduation, and all the students stood, changing their cap tassels from one side to the other and then throwing them up in the air. Everyone cheered; a feeling of joy pulsed through the crowd.
That didn't last very long, though, as it quickly turned into a rat race to see who could get out of there the quickest and find their graduate. Bette had the foresight to tell Zoe to meet her outside and to the left of the building. She assumed that Shelly would be heading in that direction as well, and she steeled herself for it.
Kerrie led them out of the aisle of seats and into the crowded steps. She motioned for Bette and Clara to go before her, holding up the crowd behind her. They slipped out quickly and stayed close together. The crowd was suffocating; everyone jumbled together. People touching shoulder to shoulder. A man bumped into her and appeared not to realize that he was pushing her over, so she stopped moving to let him go first. Then, a woman shoved past her, dragging along three younger kids. The move almost caused Bette to fall, but a strong arm grabbed her and steadied her. She looked over her shoulder to see Kerrie with a look of concern in her eyes, but she smiled and nodded. Clara was sandwiched between them and looked confused.
It took nearly 10 minutes to get outside. Once it had opened up, Bette let out a breath. The crowd had been suffocating.
Her mother was having difficulty keeping up, so she grabbed onto her arm and pulled her close, with Kerrie following right behind them.
She was able to navigate them over to a large tree where Bette and Zoe agreed to meet.
"My goodness, there are so many people here," complained Clara, looking uncomfortable.
Kerrie nodded, casting a glance out over the sea of people. "I always hate that part of things like this. There's so many people, and everybody wants to do the same thing at the same time."
"I thought that lady was going to take me down for a second," said Bette.
"She did almost mow you down," noted Kerrie.
"Now we're waiting on Zoe, correct?" Clara asked.
"Yes, I told her to meet us here. Are you going to Shelly's for lunch?"
Shaking her head, Clara answered. "No, I don't believe I will. I'll just give Zoe her graduation gift now and go home. I had my fill of Shelly when you were married. I don't feel like spending the next few hours with her."
Bette could see Kerrie repress a smile. She nodded to her mother. "I know how you feel. I've had my fill of her, too, but unfortunately she is the mother of my child, and this is about Zoe, so I'll be sucking it up and going."
"Are you going?" Clara asked, turning to Kerrie.
"Yes, ma'am, I am."
"Have you met Shelly?"
"I have. The day Bette was moving in."
Frowning, Clara's back straightened. She looked between the two. "Are you two living together?"
