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Sunday 09:25 am May, 1988

Marla sat in the third row at the aisle seat so that she would have a good view of her graduating son and also keep one eye on the entrance She kneas a long shot; but every-now-and-then miracles did happen; Jacob could show up If Jacob Ellis showed up, that would indeed be a miracle

"Is he here? Did you see hireet her in the audience

"Jayden, you're supposed to be backstage lining up" She repri at hioith his graduating cap on

"I want to know ain He swiped at the annoying tassel that dangled before his face jiggling this way and that Marla hid a chaste smile

"Oh honey… what a her son as she pinched at his cheeks

"Mo e boy…" she said patting him on the s to be able to make it" She was barely able to maintain eye contact with his She wanted to take hie where he didn't want to be perceived as a baby and this wasn't the right place for that

"H chop liver for dinner?" She asked and it worked as a small smile broke out over his face

"E, I hate liver! We're not having liver for dinner, are …" He protested while frowning He was easily distracted at re the taste of liver

"Hurry, Jayden… Don'this back and resisting the urge to squeeze hihtly in her arms Noas the perfect ti that he hated liver As soon as his back turned towards her, the teardrops fell and she quickly blinked them away

"Sed after the cereraduate stood proudly in his little yellow cap and gown holding up his tiny diploma in his hands He offered a broad but toothless s room for his new ones CLICK-CLICK-CLICK… Marla busily snapped up pictures on her disposable 35all of the other little graduates ere busy about with both of their parents s a s day No wonder Jayden had beco his father It certainly would be hard not to notice soout "daddy" The fathers were proudly picking up their children, carrying the them warmly She wanted to pick up Jayden, but she kneould protest and assert that he was a big boy She couldn't help but wonder if he would protest as hard if his father was here?