Chapter 5 - THE GRADUATION PARTY
The party belonged to Lily.
That fact got lost almost immediately.
She had graduated from high school with honors.
First person in her immediate branch of the family accepted to a university outside the state.
She wanted tacos and a backyard movie.
My father wanted rented tables, catered appetizers, floral arrangements, and seventy relatives.
Thomas Mercer hosted.
Ryan treated the day like a family summit.
Natalie almost did not attend.
She had worked the previous day.
She was tired.
I said:
“We can stay ninety minutes.”
She said:
“Your father will count.”
“He counts everything.”
“Ryan will say I made you leave.”
“I don’t care.”
She looked at me.
“You care a little.”
She was right.
Family conditioning is embarrassing when someone names it accurately.
We went.
The first hour was fine.
Lily opened gifts.
Natalie ate cake.
My father asked about the baby.
Ryan stayed mostly outside near the grill.
Then my aunt Karen asked:
“Are you really moving north?”
Natalie looked at me.
I answered.
“Yes.”
Karen sighed.
“So far.”
“Forty-five minutes.”
“With traffic, an hour.”
Ryan entered behind us.
“Don’t blame traffic.”
Natalie’s shoulders tightened.
I said:
“Not today.”
Ryan raised both hands.
“Didn’t say anything.”
He had.
Then my father said:
“We can discuss the move later.”
Natalie answered:
“No need. We bought the house.”
Silence.
Ryan laughed.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The final decision.”
“My husband and I made it.”
Ryan looked at me.
“You sure?”
That was when Natalie walked away.
Not dramatically.
She said:
“I’m using the restroom.”
Upstairs was quieter.
Ryan followed thirty seconds later.
I did not notice.
Lily did.
May you like
So did my father.
That distinction would matter.
