The music blared from inside the hall. I was desperate to see how the room looked. Rune reached for the door, and as he wrenched it open, the school gym came into view … a view that was dressed in pastel whites and pinks. Beautifully decorated, perfectly themed with my favorite flower.
My hand moved to my mouth Lowering it, I whispered, “Cherry blossom-themed.”
I looked back at Rune. He shrugged. “What else?”
“Rune,” I whispered, as he pushed me into the hall. The kids dancing nearby stopped when I entered. For a minute I felt awkward when I was met with their stares.
This had been the first time most of them had seen me since… But the awkwardness was quickly forgotten when they began to come over, greeting me and wishing me well. After a while, clearly seeing I was overwhelmed, Rune pushed me to a table overlooking the dance floor.
I smiled when I saw all of our friends sitting at the table. Jorie and Ruby saw me first. They jumped to their feet and ran our way. Rune stepped back as my friends embraced me.
“Holy crap, Pops. You look so beautiful,” Jorie cried. I laughed, and gestured at her blue dress.
“So do you, sweetie.” Jorie smiled in return. Judson came up behind her, taking her hand. As I stared at their hands, I smiled again.
Jorie met my eyes and shrugged. “I think it was always going to happen eventually.” I was happy for her. I liked knowing that she was with someone she adored. She had been an amazing friend to me.
Judson and Deacon hugged me next, then Ruby. When all of our friends had greeted me, Rune pushed in to take his place at the table. Of course he took the seat beside me, immediately taking hold of my hand.
I saw him watching me, his eyes never leaving my face. Turning to him, I asked, “Are you okay, baby?”
Rune nodded, then leaned in to say, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking so beautiful. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
My head angled to the side as I drank in his look. “I like you in a tux,” I announced.
“It’s okay, I guess.” Rune reached up and fidgeted with the bow tie. “This was near impossible to put on.”
“But you managed,” I teased.
Rune looked away, then looked back. “My pappa helped me.”
“He did?” I asked quietly.
Rune gave a curt nod.
“And you let him?” I persisted, noticing that stubborn tilt of his chin. My heart raced as I waited for the answer. Rune didn’t know that my secret wish was that he would mend his relationship with his pappa.
He’d need him soon.
And his pappa loved him.
It was the final hurdle I wanted Rune to overcome.
Rune sighed. “I let him.”
I couldn’t stop the smile forming on my lips. I reached over and laid my head on his shoulder. Glancing up, I said, “I’m real proud of you, Rune.”
Rune’s jaw clenched, but he had nothing to say in reply.
Lifting my head, I surveyed the room, watching our classmates dancing and having fun. And I loved it. I looked at each person I had grown up with, wondering what they would make of themselves when they grew up. Who’d they marry, if they’d have kids.
Then my eyes stopped at a familiar face, looking at me from across the room. Avery was sitting with another group of friends. When I caught her eyes, I held up my hand and gave a small wave. Avery smiled and waved back.
When I looked back to the table, Rune was glaring at Avery. When my hand landed on his arm, he sighed and shook his head at me. “Only you,” he said. “Only you.”
As the night passed, I watched on, completely content as our friends danced the night away. I treasured this time. I treasured seeing everyone look so happy.
Rune’s arm came around my shoulder. “How did you do this?” I asked.