Page 82 of Split Stick
“You slay me, baby. God you look amazing.”
“I look ridiculous. These white dresses are so stupid.” He laughed at my embarrassment.
We stood beneath the shade of the tall pines begging for a breeze, making small talk with our class mates waiting for the ceremony to begin. After what felt like ages, the Headmaster cut through the chaos and called everyone to attention, directing the crowd to find our seats. That was the students cue to head inside the building to get ready for our grand procession.
“Come on, let’s go,” Chris said as he tugged me lightly and we followed the rest of the students inside. “I guess I’ll see you after,” he said and then he left me to go find his place after the letter “O.”
After the teachers got us all organized, Pomp and Circumstance started to play and we began the processional down the aisle between the sea of people. I could feel every eye bore into me and I wished I could fade away into the atmosphere. I could hear my sister behind me.
“You’re hating this aren’t you,” she said quietly.
“Shut up, Amy.”
As we filed onto the stage and stood before our seats, the Headmaster greeted the crowd, we all sat down and then my sister made her way towards the front of the stage. Here came the part where everyone made the grand distinction between Amy and Allie Wyatt. Amy was Valedictorian and I was a field hockey washout. But at least I had a scholarship and she didn’t. For once, she was writhing in my shadow and I was relishing it. Chris, sitting three rows ahead of me, turned around and winked. I knew what he was thinking. None of this mattered. At the end of the day, I had what mattered most to me.
As Amy droned on, I was sweating bullets, fanning myself with the graduation program and begging whatever God existed to please let this be over soon. I could see that all my classmates around me were shifting in their seats, likely wishing the same thing as me. Surely everyone was bored out of their minds listening to Amy’s empty wants and wishes for people she hardly knew. I wanted so badly to blurt outWho cares! Sit down!
When she finally wrapped it up and sat back down, she had the biggest smile on her face like she had just won a Nobel Peace Prize. The crowd clapped for her as the Headmaster made his way back to the microphone and began to call each of us to receive our diplomas.
“Good job,” I said, trying to be the bigger person.
“Thanks.” It was the first time she had spoken to me all day.
“Everything okay?”
“James is being a dick. I think I’m done with him.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Just like that? At least that means you’re free to date who you want when you get to school, right?”
“Right. Just like that. Who needs him.”
I guess it was easy for Amy to let go. I don’t know what James did to deserve such an easy dismissal but I also didn’t care to press for details. When the Headmaster finally got to my name and read it aloud, I found Madame Holly in the crowd and watched her face melt. It had finally hit her and I couldn’t help but smile. I had pulled off a six year running joke.
After the ceremony Madame Holly came charging towards me and she had a look of both horror and amusement on her face. “Ms. Wyatt! Why on earth have you let me call you Amy since the 7th grade? I am so embarrassed.”
“Because I wanted to see how long it could go on,” I said matter-of-factly.
“Well, of course I knew that your name was Allie,” she backpedaled.
“It’s okay, Madame Holly, you were always my favorite teacher and I knew you knew who you meant. It never bothered me. I thought it was so hilarious. Thank you for being such a great teacher.”
“You’re bound for great things, Allie,” she said as she squeezed my shoulder, and then she was gone.
Chris found me again and threw an arm around me.
“Should we get out of here?” he said glancing around the crowd.
“Yes, I just need to find my Mom” I said as I reached up to take his hand in mine, then he pulled me in for a kiss. “I’m so sweaty and gross.”
“As if that ever stopped me before,” he said in a low voice meant for nobody else to hear.
“Chris! We’re in public.”
“Relax. Nobody heard me.”
“Chris, congratulations!” came the voice of my Mom, as I spun around in horror. Had she heard that? Please say no.
“Thanks, Mrs. Wyatt. Do you mind if I whisk Allie away to Friendly’s for some ice cream?”
“No dear, that’s fine, you two have fun.”
As I climbed up into Chris’s truck he reached across and pulled me close.
“It’s just you and me baby. Us against the world,” he said, “but God, you’re killing me in that dress.”
