Enemies, Mostly

Chapter 17

18+ Mature Content:

This is it, Graduation day is here.

I've been preparing for this day for years. I'm beaming with excitement; I feel like my body is buzzing. After countless assignments and tests and many days spent in absolute hell at Hawkins High, I get to walk that stage heading straight for my future.

I stand before my mirror in a baby blue sun dress, my gown draped over my shoulders and my cap in my hand. My hair is curled down my back, and my makeup is simple. All of my friends are down stairs with their parents and my mom, and she planned to cook breakfast for everyone before we walked the stage. I hear a gentle knock at my door. "Hey, kid." I hear Wayne's raspy voice.

"You can come in." I tell him. He walks in with a smile.

"Come sit down with me, darlin." He sits on my bed, patting the spot next to him. I walk over and sit down, nudging my shoulder with his. His sad eyes meet mine, and he gives me a small smile.

"Your dad and I, as you know, we were best friends, and he asked me when you were born if I would be your godfather." He says with tears forming in his eyes. "When your dad got sick, he asked me to keep an eye on you and your mom. And he gave me this to give to you on your graduation day." He holds an envelope out to me. "He would be so proud of you, bug." He pats my thigh, tears roll down my cheeks as I hold the letter between my fingers.

"Will you stay with me while I read it." I ask him.

"Of course." He smiles. My trembling hands tear the envelope open, and my chest aches as I stare at my fathers beautiful handwriting. I take a deep breath, wiping my tears away from my cheek.

'My beautiful Maddy,
I apologize from the bottom of my heart that I couldn't be there to see you graduate today. I want you to know how proud I am of you and the women you are becoming. Life never quite prepares you for the loss of someone close to you at such a young age. I rest peacefully knowing that you are strong and that you have people who love you watching out for you. I hope you know there hasn't been a day go by that I haven't been right by your side, and I will continue to be there every step of the way. When you walk that stage today, I want you to look out in the crowd and find your beautiful mother and imagine that I'm sitting next to her, with a big smile and tears in my eyes.

I really hope you told Eddie how much you love him, I always used to tell your mom that you were meant to be. If you did and you're together, I hope he makes you genuinely happy. I hope he brightens your day like you brighten everyone else's. I want you to remember to do what makes you happy, always no matter what it is. I want you to experience everything that life has to offer you. You deserve to have the best in life. And when you're off at college or whatever you decide to do, please remember to call you mother. You know how she worries.

My dearest and most beautiful Maddy bug, I love you.

Dad.'

I close the letter, holding it close to my heart, letting sobs over take me. Wayne wraps his arm around me, cradling the back of my head. "I miss him so much." I sniffle.

"I know, baby girl, I know." He soothes. He just holds me rocking me back and forth, letting me cry. "I love you, bug." He whispers into my hair.

"I love you too, Wayne." I sniffle.

He pulls away with a teary smile, wiping my tears off on my cheeks. "You ready?" He chuckles.

I blow out a dramatic breath, wiping my under eyes to remove any smeared mascara. "As I'll ever be."