startled to find the degree announcing her accomplishment in her hand. She’d done it. She’d made it!
Without conscious thought, her gaze returned to the empty seat. She saw Cindy and Mickey cheering for her and pasted a smile onto her face, and waved at them before she took her seat again. The other students all received their degrees, then the announcement of her award. Numbly, Savannah stood up and walked to the stage, beaming as the Dean of Students handed her the certificate. Walking back, she refused to look up at the audience. Gaelen wouldn’t be there. He hadn’t thought this was important enough. She wasn’t important enough to him.
After another thirty minutes, the ceremony was over. The dean of the university announced that they were all graduates. There was a roar around her as everyone stood up and tossed their hats into the air. Savannah was the only one that remained in her seat, feeling foolish for thinking that Gaelen would come.
As everyone walked away, hurrying to find their loved ones so that they could celebrate, Savannah slowly got to her feet, heading for the exit. Cindy and Mickey intercepted her. “You did it!” Cindy shrieked, hugging Savannah eagerly. “I’m so excited for you!”
Mickey gave her a hug as well, smiling in his quieter manner. “Congratulations, honey. I’m so proud of you.” He pulled back, wrapping his arm around his wife’s waist affectionately. “When you become some fancy-pants designer, we can point to your picture in the magazines and say, ‘Hey, we knew her when she was just a waitress!’”
They laughed and Cindy leaned in for another hug. “Listen, honey. I’m so proud of you, but we gotta get back to the diner. If you’re not going out with that boyfriend of yours, you come on by and Mickey will make you a special celebration dinner, okay?”
Savannah nodded, blinking back tears. “Thanks guys. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cindy laughed, waving her hand. “No way, honey! You take off for as long as you want. Jenny has already agreed to cover your shifts in the morning.” Cindy grinned. “You gotta get ready for your fancy job, right?”
“Right,” Savannah replied, smiling as Cindy and Mickey walked away. She remained standing there for a long time, not really sure what to do or where to go. Where was Gaelen? Was he okay? The idea that he was hurt was almost more painful than him forgetting about today.
“Ms. Harmon?” a man asked, stepping forward.
“Yes?” she replied, blinking back the traitorous tears.
“This is for you.”
Savannah looked down at the box in the man’s hands. It was the familiar, pretty blue with the white ribbon that only came from one store. “Oh, um….”
“He said you…”
Her fingers curled into fists by her side. “Is this from Gaelen?” she asked, her heart pounding.
The man bowed slightly, still holding out the box. “Yes, ma’am. He sends his deepest regrets for not being here tonight. Something came up.”
Savannah stared at the man, pain hitting her like a dump truck. “Something came up,” she echoed softly. Cindy and Mickey had closed down their diner in order to be here for her for just a few hours. But Gaelen hadn’t made it. Something more important had come up. Something more important than her!
Savannah nodded slowly. “I see. Well,” she glanced down at the box and sighed. “Thank you, but I don’t need whatever is in that box.”
The stranger stared at her, startled. “Excuse me? This is a gift from…”
“I know.” She turned towards the exit and lifted her chin. “I’m worth more than whatever is in that box,” she told herself as she hurried outside. The subway was only half a block away and she rushed down the stairs. Standing on the platform, she waited for the subway to arrive, not seeing anyone or anything. She couldn’t see because the tears streaming down her eyes blurred her vision. He hadn’t thought she was important enough. Damn it, she shouldn’t have invited him! She should have just…come on her own. Or skipped the whole stupid ceremony!
Wiping her eyes, she stepped through the doors of the subway and took a seat, grateful that it wasn’t rush hour and there were available seats. Normally, the subway was so packed, she was relegated to hanging onto one of the bars. At least one thing was going her way, she thought listlessly.
A half hour later, she wearily walked to her building, staring up at it and wondering how long it would be before she had