Eventually Eli confronted him.
Jordan admitted the truth.
“Everybody thinks you’re doing this for attention.”
“And you?”
Jordan looked away.
“I don’t know.”
That answer hurt Eli more than any insult from a stranger ever could.
Graduation night arrived hot and humid.
I nearly became sick while getting dressed.
Maya’s empty bedroom was across the hall from mine.
For a few seconds, I stood in the doorway and imagined what should have been happening.
Music playing too loudly.
Maya yelling for someone to find her earrings.
Eli telling her they were already late.
Me trying to take fifty pictures while both kids complained.
Instead, there was silence.
Eli came down the stairs wearing his graduation gown.
The red dress was underneath.
He looked at me.
“You okay?”
I laughed through tears.
“I’m supposed to ask you that.”
He smiled faintly.
