“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rex says pulling me tighter into his side.”
Logan extends his hand. “I think you guys are fucking nuts, but I’m happy for you.” There’s a sadness in his eyes, but I don’t say anything. Like prom, I can’t imagine how hard this day has been for Logan. How hard the past few days were for everyone?
Rex takes Logan’s moody appearance in stride, oblivious to the storm brewing inside him. “She’s the one who’s crazy for marrying me.”
“Hate to interrupt,” pastor-man says, “but I need you two to sign some papers before I go.”
We fill in the blanks and sign our names. Pastor-man takes the marriage license into the back room, makes us a copy, then promises to put it in the mail before disappearing.
“Okay lovebirds,” Gretchen says. “Party’s over. Piper needs to get back to her room to rest. She’s had an eventful day.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mamma T chirps. “We need to do everything we can to get her discharged before Saturday.”
“What’s Thursday?” I ask, trying to figure out what day it is and how long I was unconscious for. The last time I saw everyone was Saturday. I couldn’t have been here for more than a couple of days. What was the rush about Saturday?
Rex groans but nods. “Graduation, Babe.”
34
Piper
“It’s my honor to welcome your class valedictorian, Piper Montgomery.”
I ascend the steps to the stage, white gown tickling my ankles to a mixture of applause and whispers. I set my hands on the podium and adjust the microphone. I was discharged this morning, much to the doctor’s dismay, with strict orders of physical therapy, follow up appointments, and a slew of medications I can’t pronounce. All so Mamma T could doll me up for one last high school experience. And now as I stand before all seventy-four of my classmates and their parents, I’m glad she made this happen.
I scan the bleachers. Mamma T and Gretchen sit together in the center, whispering like a couple of chatty-Cathys, proud looks on their faces. Mr. H sits in the back with his new wife, uncomfortable as ever. But no Montgomery’s. Rex told me what happened at the hospital, but a part of me hoped they would be here to celebrate graduation with him. Oh well. It’s their loss. He’s a fantastic man and if they don’t want to be a part of his life then fuck them.
The stadium grows quiet, waiting for me to speak. “In almost every movie, high school is the time of your life. It’s a time to live freely with minimal responsibilities before the real world hits us. A chance to make friends that last a lifetime, fall in love more times than you can count, and party until you can’t see straight. This magical experience was not mine. It was yours. I experienced the opposite. I was ridiculed for being accepted here on scholarship. Ostracized because of where my birth mother lived. And rumored to be the school slut. I’m sorry to disappoint you all, but I never actually slept with anyone. I kicked everyone who cornered me in the nuts and stole their cash.”
Principal White jumps up from his seat. He grabs my hurt arm, attempting to pull me away from the microphone without causing a scene. I gasp and wince, playing up his touch to be more than what it is. The pulling sensation is uncomfortable at best thanks to the shot the nurses gave me before I left. I lean into the microphone but look directly at Principal White. “Please don’t touch me. You could rip my stitches.”
The crowd mumbles and he takes a step back, hands up in surrender. “Sorry,” he mutters.
I flash him a got-you-bitch smile and turn back to the crowd. “Oh yeah, and I was shot and almost killed the day after prom by a child molester.”
More gasps. More whispers. The look of shock and horror on my classmates face is priceless. I smile, not because I’m happy about any of this, but because for the first time my classmates are really seeing me. I find Rex next to the empty seat I’ll return to when my speech is done, arms crossed, a grin the size of Texas, nodding in encouragement for me to continue. He helped me write my speech on the way here. I was just going to give a two sentence congratulations, but Rex thought these dimwits could learn something from my story. So, here I am.
“I don’t tell you this to make you feel bad for me. I don’t want your pity. I’m telling you my story because when we leave these grounds for the last time, life will get hard. College will be fun, but challenging and then when we graduate, we’ll be thrown into the real world with bills to pay and jobs to do. Your life will never be easier than it is right now. And when you hit that moment, when the weight of the world is holding you down, I want you to think of me.
I survived.
I survived an abusive childhood, a terrible high school experience. I was nearly raped just one year ago and escaped by fighting my attacker. The same attacker who sought me out and failed to kill me. I. Survived. And you will too. No matter what life throws at you, you can’t give up. If I had, I wouldn’t be standing here today as your class valedictorian, married to the love of my life.”
People turn in their seats, whispering amongst each other to look at Rex. It’s our first outing as a married couple. I’m sure someone will put this on YouTube and the paparazzi will have a field day with it, but we’re ready. Rex waves, purposefully using his left hand to show off his ring. “And so, Class of 2020, I congratulate you. We have overcome the first of many hurdles to come but we did it.”
The stadium erupts in cheers as I descend the steps of the platform and take my seat beside my husband. He waits palm up for me to thread my fingers with his. I happily comply, enjoying the soft circles he traces on my palm. The rest of graduation passes slowly. The painkillers the nurse gave me are wearing off. My shoulder is throbbing, head is spinning, but I say nothing. This day isn’t about me, and I’m not about to ruin it for my family. I rest my cheek on Rex’s shoulder, waiting for our names to be called. When Principal White calls my name Rex stands and walks up there too.
“Uh... “ Principal White stutters. “Piper and Rex Montgomery.”
We take our diplomas and walk down the steps. Rex keeps his arm around my waist, steadying me even after we’re on the ground again. “Are you okay?”
“My head hurts,” I tell him because it’s pounding. The painkillers I took at the hospital this morning must be completely worn off because I feel like shit. My whole body aches, the pain stemming from a throbbing in my shoulder.
“Let?
?s go then.”
I nod and Rex veers us to the right, away from our seats. He slips his hand under my legs, lifting me bridal style. I can walk, but knowing Rex’s got me is like a security blanket. It’s nice.