Samuel looked down at his work clothes.
“Don’t tell her yet.”
Marcus almost laughed from disbelief.
“Samuel.”
“Not over the phone.”
“What are you going to do?”
Samuel grabbed his keys.
“I’m four miles away.”
Marcus looked across the graduation lawn.
“Come.”
Samuel drove faster than he should have.
When he reached the university, parking was impossible.
He left his truck nearly half a mile away.
No time to change.
No flowers.
No gift.
No suit.
He walked.
Then jogged.
By the time he reached the main quad, his breathing was heavy.
Graduates surrounded the plaza.
Samuel scanned hundreds of faces.
Then he saw her.
Black gown.
Long curls.
Graduation cap.
His daughter.
She was standing with Denise and Marcus.
Samuel slowed.
He almost turned around.
Then Marcus saw him.
Their eyes met.
Marcus did not smile.
He simply nodded toward Maya.
Go.
Samuel walked forward.
Maya turned.
“Dad?”
Then she ran.
Now, standing in Samuel’s arms outside the university, Maya understood how close she had come to leaving campus believing her father simply had not bothered to show up.
“Tell me the truth.”
Samuel looked down at her.
“You should enjoy your graduation.”
“I’m not asking again.”
Samuel glanced toward Denise.
Denise’s expression pleaded with him.
For years, Samuel had avoided criticizing Maya’s mother in front of her.
Even when angry.
Especially when angry.
He intended to do the same now.
“Your mother said there weren’t enough tickets.”
Maya’s expression hardened.
“And?”
Samuel sighed.
“She said you wanted Marcus there.”
“I did.”
“Your grandmother.”
“Yes.”
“And your aunt.”
Maya turned toward Denise.
“I never invited Aunt Cheryl.”
Denise looked trapped.
Maya continued.
“Aunt Cheryl is in Florida.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
Samuel rubbed his forehead.
“Maya.”
“No.”
She looked directly at her mother.
“You lied to Dad.”
Denise straightened.
“I was trying to prevent this exact scene.”
Maya laughed in disbelief.
“What scene?”
“This.”
Denise gestured around them.
“You crying. Samuel upset. Marcus in the middle.”
Marcus looked at her.
“I am in the middle because you put me here.”
Denise stared at him.
“Marcus.”
“You told me Maya didn’t want Samuel invited.”
“I explained why.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You told me she asked for the fourth ticket to go to Cheryl.”
Maya looked at him.
“She didn’t.”
“I know that now.”
Denise lowered her voice.
“We are surrounded by people.”
Maya answered, “Then maybe you shouldn’t have done something you’d be embarrassed for people to hear about.”
Samuel touched Maya’s arm.
“That’s enough.”
She turned sharply.
“No, Dad.”
“It’s your graduation.”
“Exactly.”
Her voice broke.