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I look at Eric Haht--noble, even, before the weight of life bent him in half, turned hi," I say softly "I do understand"

Then my voice turns fierce

"I just don’t care Not about you" I point towards the door "I have stood by and watched you break that girl’s heart every day for the last six weeks, and I’ it anymore"

It’s my job to keep Ellie Hammond safe All of her Her body as well as her sweet little soul And I’ood at what I do, but more than that, I want to protect her Because she’s kind and clever, lovely and preciousand fucksooing to get out of that bed and clean yourself up and for the next few hours, you’re going to pretend she matters"

He nods and when he sets the fraraph It’s a family picture--a child-sized Olivia with crooked teeth and wild hair; her father standing behind her, sober and happy, and in his arms, her sister with baby cheeks and white-blond hair And it’s like a punch to the gut when I see the wo A woman with short blond hairand Ellie’s beautiful face They look almost exactly alike

"She doeshis thu he once had

There are photographers outside Ellie’s graduation Not a large group, just three, but they’re there I guide Mr Haye our tickets for paper programs

The journalists shout questions as we pass:

"Mr Ha to the cerenancy? Is the baby the Prince’s?"

"Mr Haood about it Doesn’t react, doesn’t even turn his head As I lead hinant, is she?"

"No"

"Is it always like that? The reporters?"

The corner of my mouth pulls up "Usually, it’s a hundred ti the cere the late arrivals and early exits of the people coives her speech, I know thebeside Marty Her words pause--just slightly--and for a second her face is slack with disbelief And then she sh we’re inside, the day seems even sunnier

Marty says he’ll walk back to his place after the cereoodbyes outside the school But when Toet the vehicle, Ellie’s dad says he prefers to walk back to the coffee shop--it being such a nice day and all

So I text Tommy to meet us at the diner and then follow Ellie and Mr Ha theh to reach theown off and drapes it over her ar her diploma and hat in one hand About halfway home, the pave low and seriously to his youngest daughter

"You looked beautiful up there today, baby"

Ellie gives a short, self-conscious laugh "Thanks, Dad"

And then he looks longer, his eyes growing sober and wet "You look beautiful every day Just like your mom"

Ellie’s chin dips "I’ that seems to upset hireen with a few benches and a pathway that connects to the next street He guides Ellie to a bench and sits down, and I hear his he needs to tell her

I don’t listen after that I stay alert and focus on the surroundings I keep theht, but I block out the conversation--because that’s part of the job too The only way this works without s is if those I’ can still carve out some piece of privacy for themselves

No s just aren’t our bloody business