"Please rise."
Heather stood with her fellow nursing graduands.
"I now confer on you a Bachelor of Arts in nursing."
The President's voice droned on, but Heather grinned as she moved her tassel. In a few months, she would receive proof of the degree she'd sweated over for four long years. All her work had paid off and now she was officially a graduate of the University of Washington. This was not the end, but a beginning. She glanced across the stage at the hundreds of other graduates as she took her seat. Cameras flashed between bursts of applause.
Heather knew her mother was seated in the Meany Theatre snapping pictures along with thousands of other proud parents. Unfortunately, her father was absent, just as he had been since that fateful day when she was fourteen...
Her parents had been preparing for a weekend away and she had been pleading for them to take her along. As an only child, she often accompanied her parents on their adventures. However, this time her parents had insisted she wasn't welcome. She'd retaliated by giving them the silent treatment. If they were going to leave her behind, she didn't have anything to talk to them about. Heather had packed her overnight bag and headed toward the door.
"Goodbye, Heather. I love you."
She had ignored her father's goodbye and stalked out the door on the way to Skye's house. The girls had been best friends for years, despite their differences in taste.
How she wished she could rewind and live that day over, but with a different ending. She'd have told them she loved them, said goodbye, and given them both hugs. Instead, she had stormed out the door, ignoring them. The next thing she knew, her grandparents whisked her home to listen to words no daughter should ever have to hear, especially not at the tender young age of fourteen: "I'm sorry, but your father died today. He had a heart attack and passed away before he even arrived at the hospital."
Heather pushed her glasses up on her nose. The convocation was coming to an end. Good! I'll put in my expected appearance in the reception line, make sure Mom's happy, then go home and change into something more comfortable. Dressing up is overrated!
She followed her classmates out onto the lawn area. Rows of carnations in shades of purple and gold graced the edges of the sidewalk, their perfume wafting up to greet passersby. Heather lifted her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth for a few seconds before she continued on towards her designated area. She smiled, waved, and gave a few hugs before finding her spot in the shade of a large oak tree. Ah, outdoors at last. Thousands of people milled around offering congratulations.
"Oh there you are, Heather!"
She looked up and involuntarily shuddered. "Hi, Mom." Why did her mother have to dress the way she did? Today she had poured herself into a ruby red pencil skirt with a matching jacket. The buttons on the jacket looked like they would burst any minute. Her mother tottered on matching red stilettos as she moved forward for a hug.
"I'm so proud of you!"
Heather returned the hug. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate your support and encouragement. I enjoyed my studies, but I'm glad to be done. Hey, did I tell you I've been hired as an obstetrics nurse at the Northwest Hospital and Medical Centre?"
"Good for you. I knew it would be easy for you to find a job. You've worked so hard and deserve to celebrate. I hope you'll join me and Marco this evening. I've planned a reception in honor of your graduation, and I've invited a whole host of eligible bachelors."
Heather bit her lip to stop the retort that was threatening to escape. "It would have been nice to have some advance warning. Where is the reception? What time? And what am I expected to wear?"
"Oh, it's just a casual little affair in the Marina Room at Daniel's Broiler. We're meeting there at 6:30 for supper and then we can go onto the private deck to enjoy some drinks, mingling, and dancing. You never know, maybe you'll meet the love of your life tonight."
Heather rolled her eyes. "So I can wear jeans and a t-shirt?"
"Are you kidding?"
Heather noticed people staring in their direction.
"Uh, Mom, can you keep the volume down please?" She gestured beside her to where a couple of her classmates listened in.
Her mother lifted her chin and lowered her voice to a loud whisper. "Heather, how are you ever going to get to know any men if you never put your best foot forward? When I said casual, I meant you're not required to stay in your formal wear. Don't you have a classy number you can throw on? You know, something that accentuates what you have to offer the male species?"
So much for going home and relaxing in my jeans and t-shirt. "Look Mom, I appreciate your concern, but I can find a husband in my own way and on my own terms. I'll join you and whatever his name is, but back off a bit, please."
"His name is Marco." Her mother bit out each syllable. "You should know that. We've been dating for a whole month you know."
"Sorry." Heather sighed. "Okay, as I was saying, I'll join you for supper and stay for a while, but I'm not promising anything else. I start work in a couple of days and still have to move into my new apartment."
"Can't you just relax and enjoy yourself for one night? You're going to work yourself right into the grave if you're not careful."
"Heather, congratulations." The eavesdropping classmates stood before her, smiling.
"See you at 6:30, dear." Her mother was still whispering. "I'll leave so you can visit with your friends."
Heather gave her mother an obligatory hug and turned her attention to her classmates. "Thanks, Lonnie and Amelda. Congratulations to you too. Can you believe we're done?"
"Finally! No more classes with Mr. Groucho," said Lonnie
"Be careful what you say or he may haunt your dreams." Amelda giggled, poking Lonnie in the ribs.
Heather joined in the laughter. "I doubt we have anything to worry about. Mr. Galuchi will be busy with his next batch of brilliant scientists."
Others came by to offer their congratulations and Heather enjoyed chatting with each one. When the crowd thinned, she glanced at her cell phone and gasped. It was already 4:00. By the time she drove home, she wouldn't have much time to get ready for her mother's party. Oh well, those eligible bachelors would have to accept her as she was. Besides, she didn't need any man in her life, yet.!