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“See you in the ly as I walk out the door

I breathe a sigh of relief That was close Good thing I really aht decide to call her house I need to start being more creative with my alibis

12

Mike

A few months later

Today is the big day We’ve just arrived at Riverdale High for Saraduation I appreciate Riverdale because they took her in as young child, transfor her back out into the world at large Today, she is seen by the world as a newly initiated adult I wonder if I’ve prepared her sufficiently for this

Sali the auditorium

“Bye Dad, I’ll see you later,” she waves, her blonde head disappearing in the crowd I’m left alone to observe the y in the air, with lots of friends and fa about

I reflect back onof it as one of the ht about what I would do on stage, and the pace I would walk I re on the stairs in their fancy high heels, borrowed from their mother’s closets

Yet, now I know better Now I realize that these moments are actually quite miniscule And yet society continues to build up the idea that ceree are an essential and ood business at the very least Everyone drinks at graduation parties, after all

The walls are adorned in white and gold banners There’s already confetti covering the floor In the far corner, there’s a photographer taking last minute family photos I take a look around the room for Samantha, but she’s disappeared A fae for her without my ex-wife here anyways

I head over to a vendingfor the machine to dispense my bottle, I see Mr Mortensen out of the corner ofwith pride for his little girl I can’t help but smile myself at how much he adores Tilly

Mrs Mortensen is standing next to hi to an elderly worandh for me to spot Tilly